It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It also happens to be the absolute darkest time of the year, and one of the coldest. Brr.
And so, when you get home after a long day at work and flick the lights on, you might realise something. If you had solar panels, they wouldn’t have done much today, or would they?
It’s certainly true that we get far less daylight in winter, and solar panels aren’t as effective as they are in summer. But they’re still absolutely worth the investment.
The trick lies in understanding where solar saves you money, and why it matters even when we see very little sunlight throughout winter. That’s what this blog is about.
Does solar still reduce your electricity bills during winter?
Later in this article, we’ll discuss how to optimise a solar setup with batteries and smart devices. However, for now, let’s assume a home has solar panels and nothing else.
Yes, is the short answer, but solar power doesn’t reduce your winter electricity bills as much as in summer. In truth, it’s quite a lot less.
Solar panels are technically known as PV (photovoltaic) panels. They use light (not heat) to generate an electrical charge.
Now, in the UK, our short, overcast winter days mean solar panels can’t generate as much electricity. For most people, output drops to below a quarter of what they get in the peak of summer.
But there’s more to it than that.
In winter, most households tend to use more electricity. That’s because we run the heating, turn the lights on much earlier, and feel much more inclined to down an endless stream of hot drinks from the kettle.
Solar isn’t doing nothing. It helps you chip away at those household bills. In fact, solar panels work better in cool temperatures, so although there’s still less sunlight, and therefore less electricity to generate, the panels can work closer to their optimal efficiency.
But the truth is, solar panels are a worthwhile investment because of the benefits they bring in the lighter months. Across the year as a whole, they’ll save you significant amounts of money on your electricity.
However, to optimise any solar setup, consider installing a battery storage unit.
How do batteries turn winter solar into real savings?
If you want to maximise how much money you can save on your electricity bills, battery storage is the way forward.
A home solar storage battery stores the excess electricity your panels generate during daylight hours, that is, anything your home doesn’t immediately use. That energy then supplies the house during peak periods (the mornings and early evenings), when grid electricity costs more (if you’re on a time-of-use tariff).
That means even a modest solar panel setup, when combined with a battery, can lead to significant savings, because it lets you control when you use or store electricity. That allows you to take full advantage of time-of-use tariff rates.
For example, some households also use off-peak grid rates to charge their batteries overnight. The battery then discharges during expensive periods the next morning. During the few peak sunlight hours of the day, the solar tops your battery back up, ready for the evening.
As you can see, the specific savings vary depending on your solar panel setup, use patterns, tariff, provider, and whether you have a battery. However, the principle of how to save money is always the same: take control of when you need to purchase grid electricity.
Why winter solar still pays off over the whole year
It’s understandable to be worried about how your panels will perform over winter. But that’s only half the story. Think about the overall annual performance to get the full picture.
Our solar systems in the UK generate the bulk of their electricity between March and September, when we have long days and clearer skies. On some days in the peak of summer, you might not need to import any electricity from the grid at all. You could even export any excess electricity your panels generate under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.
That means that, over the course of the year, you’re still significantly ahead on your electricity bills, even if it’s less evident in winter.
And once again, it’s all about taking control of your electricity use. With better planning, you’ll be able to cut your electricity bills throughout the year and see a reasonable return on investment and payback for your solar investment.
So, solar does work less in winter. But it always works for you, not against you.
If you’re considering upgrading to a solar system this winter and you live in the East Midlands or within a couple of hours of Derby, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Electrical Innovations designs tailored solar systems (including a battery, if desired) to save you money year-round.
Take advantage of the fantastic benefits of solar by reaching out today for a commitment-free chat.
