If the recent snowstorms and deep freeze are any indication, winter has arrived in full force. And with it comes a common question we hear from homeowners: what happens when you combine solar panels and snow?
While solar panels are designed to withstand harsh weather, heavy snowfall can temporarily reduce energy production and raise questions about maintenance. Here’s what you need to know about how solar panels perform in snow, when (or if) you should clear them, and the safest way to protect your system through the winter months.
How snow affects solar panels
Snow that fully blankets your solar panels will block sunlight, preventing power production until the panels are uncovered. Partial coverage creates shading that reduces output, sometimes significantly.
The good news? Solar panels are typically installed at an angle, so as the sun comes out and the panels begin to heat up, snow often melts or slides off on its own. Typically, your system will bounce back to normal without any intervention.
Should you clear snow off solar panels?
You can if you want to, but it’s usually not necessary.
Your system was designed with seasonal production changes in mind, so a few days of lost generation during the darkest part of the year will have minimal impact on your annual output. For most homeowners, it’s best to let the snow melt naturally—your safety isn’t worth the small production gain.
That said, if you can’t resist clearing it, we understand. If you choose to get on your roof, please use extreme caution. As snow melts, it will slide off your panels onto the roof or ground below, so check that your gutters are secure—snow and ice buildup can add extra weight.
For ground-mounted systems, snow can be gently swept off with a broom to speed up melting. However, avoid scraping ice, as this could damage your panels. Once most of the snow is gone, sunlight will take care of the rest.
Got solar panels and snow? Monitoring alerts are normal
Depending on your system’s monitoring setup, you may receive automatic alerts about a production issue.
Enphase, for example, may notify you that microinverters aren’t reporting or that a microinverter has a production issue. This is expected when your panels are covered in snow, as the inverters remain off until they receive enough sunlight to restart.
As the snow begins to slide off and panels are exposed, individual inverters will turn back on, and you’ll see production gradually resume. If some panels remain partially covered, production may be lower until the snow fully clears.
Once production ramps up, it may take a day or so for alerts to clear automatically. If, after a couple of days of full sun exposure, you still see production alerts or panels not generating power, please reach out to us so we can investigate.
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When to give us a call
If you experience a power outage, it may take a day or two for your online production data to stabilize. Disruptions in the power lines can interfere with communication between your inverters and the monitoring system. If any alerts persist a couple of days after power is restored, please contact us so we can investigate.
Take advantage of sunny breaks to check that your system is producing as expected. Occasionally, a tripped breaker or other minor issue can impact production, so routine checks are helpful.
If you have a string inverter, check for any error messages on the display and review how to verify real-time production data on your inverter’s LCD screen.
The bottom line on solar panels and snow
Snow is a normal part of winter solar ownership. While it may temporarily reduce production, your system is built to handle it—and in most cases, the best maintenance is simply patience. If you’re ever concerned about your system’s performance during snowy months, our team at Western Solar is here to help.
As we delve more deeply into winter, we hope this information is helpful and that you continue to stay safe and warm. If you need any additional clarification specific to your system, please reach out to our office at 360-746-0859 or email info@westernsolarinc.com.
