March 5, 2019 | By RGR Marketing Blog

Everything Your Solar Clients Need to Know About Maintaining Their Panels in the Winter

Buy Solar LeadsOne of the most common questions asked to solar installers is – what happens when my solar panels are covered by snow? In some states, snow can pose a problem for solar owners, but the key to overcoming this hurdle is knowing how to care for their panels during the winter months to ensure they’re working as effectively as possible.

If you find yourself with a client who is concerned about the efficiency of solar panels in the winter, providing them with the following information and tips may help them learn that even in winter, solar is still a worthwhile investment.

Solar Panels Perform Their Best in Cold Weather

Clients who live in cooler climates are excellent candidates for solar energy, despite the fact that the days are shorter. For starters, the trees have dropped their leaves, thus allowing more sunlight to hit their panels during the time of day when the sun is out. Then there’s the fact that solar panels simply work more efficiently in the cooler months.

In the summer, solar panels are forced to work much harder because they must convert light to energy in the blistering heat and they can be at risk of overheating, which can reduce their efficiency. In the cold, the panels won’t overheat, thus allowing them to work easier.

How to Deal With Snow on the Panels

When solar panels are covered over by snow, even patchy snow, their efficiency can drop off quite drastically. This won’t be as much a problem for your clients who are still connected to the grid, but if your client is entirely off the grid, then they will have to pay attention to this. There are a few different things solar owners can do when it snows, and these include:

  • Just Wait – Solar panels are installed on an angle that best faces the sun. So, as the sun comes out it will warm up the panels and eventually the snow will melt and slide off. This is the safest way to deal with snow on the panels, but it really all depends on how cold the winter is in the client’s area. If the temperatures prevent the snow from melting, then they may have to find an alternative option.
  • Use a Roof Rake – Roof rakes have rubber heads that can clear the snow from the solar panels without damaging them. But there is a chance that the client could void the warranty of the panels if they go this route. Additionally, with snow and ice on the roof, this can be dangerous, so it is best done only in the event of an emergency.
  • Hire a Professional – It’s not uncommon for many snow removal companies to provide snow removal services for roofs, so this can be a good option if the client is concerned about the snow on their panels and they don’t want to wait for it to melt.

Tips to Help Prevent Snow Accumulation on Solar Panels

It’s impossible to prevent snow from accumulating on standard solar panels. The best thing that can be done is to ensure the panels are installed on an angle and facing south. This will provide the panels with the greatest exposure to sunlight, which will ultimately warm up the panels faster, so the snow can melt off quicker.

If the installation is in a very cold and snowy climate, then this will be a great way to introduce your client to all-weather solar panels, which use a small amount of electricity to heat the surface of the panels to prevent snow from piling up in the first place.

Great Solar Leads, in Winter or Summer Months

If you’re a solar company interested in purchasing better solar leads, contact RGR Marketing today. We can provide you with verified leads that are validated and tailored to your specific demographics and requirements. Let us help you grow your solar business with easier conversions and better results.

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