Winter is Coming: How Does Cold Weather and Rain Affect My Solar Panels?
If you’re considering solar in British Columbia, it’s natural to wonder how your system will perform once the long, sunny days of summer give way to rain, clouds, and cooler weather. The good news is that solar panels don’t need heat to produce power. They rely on sunlight, not temperature, which means they continue generating electricity even when the air is cool or the skies are cloudy.
Let’s take a look at how BC’s winter weather affects solar performance.
Rain and Cloudy Skies Still Produce Power
BC is known for its wet winters, but that doesn’t stop solar energy generation. Even on cloudy or rainy days, your system continues to produce electricity. Solar panels work by converting sunlight into energy, and they can still capture diffused light that filters through clouds.
Rain also helps keep your panels clean by washing away dust, pollen, and debris that can block sunlight. So while you might see a dip in output on the cloudiest days, your system will still contribute to your home’s energy needs year-round.
Snowfall and Shading
On Vancouver Island and much of coastal BC, snow rarely builds up for long, and when it does, it usually slides right off the panels. Solar arrays are installed at an angle, which helps snow shed quickly once the sun comes out. Plus, panels are dark and absorb heat, so any light snowfall typically melts off on its own.
If snow does linger, it’s usually temporary and has only a minor impact on your total annual production. Over the course of the year, your system will continue to meet your energy expectations.
Solar Works Year-Round with Net Metering
One of the biggest advantages of solar in BC is net metering, which connects your solar system to the electrical grid and allows you to send any extra electricity you produce back to BC Hydro in exchange for energy credits.
During the long, sunny days of spring and summer, your panels often generate more power than your home needs. Those extra kilowatt-hours are tracked by your meter and turned into credits on your BC Hydro account.
When winter arrives and production dips due to shorter daylight hours, your home automatically draws on those stored credits. This keeps your energy use balanced and your bills low throughout the year.
Between rain, clouds, and the occasional snow, BC winters bring plenty of weather changes, but solar panels are built for exactly that. Thanks to net metering, the extra energy you create in the bright months carries you through the darker ones, making solar a smart and dependable choice for BC homeowners.
Ready to Learn More About Solar in BC?
At Hakai Energy Solutions, we design and install solar systems across Vancouver Island and coastal BC that perform efficiently in all seasons, rain or shine.
If you’re curious about how solar could work for your home or business, contact our team today to learn more.