Happy New Year!
If last week’s snow storm and deep freeze are any indication, we’re definitely starting 2022 off with a bang!
Our office is up and running again after our holiday closure, and as we catch up on our messages, we wanted to post a quick note regarding system performance when it comes to snow accumulation. With additional snow forecast for some areas this week, here are a few tips to know when it comes to your solar system and snow.
Got 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.
December 25th:
December 30th:
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.
Should I clear snow off my 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.
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.
