Do solar panels work in winter and on cloudy days?

Each solar panel is made up of solar PV cells (or solar photovoltaic cells) that generate power from daylight, not sunlight or heat, and they're made using semi-conducting substances, often silicon. When light shines on them, it makes particles called electrons move, creating electricity¹. That means solar PV panels will generate electricity during the day, but never at night (but this needn’t be an issue if you have a battery so read on).

Because solar PV cells respond to light, stronger sunlight generally means more electricity. Your solar panels will usually get the most light around noon, when the sun is highest in the sky and on a clear sunny day, when the light is brightest. But even the grey low light of a gloomy winter afternoon releases enough energy to make electricity.

Modern solar panels work reasonably well in cloudy weather, even though the light on cloudy days isn’t as strong. And that makes sense – the sun doesn't suddenly stop working because of a bit of cloud.

And surprisingly, rain can even make solar panels work better by washing away any dust or dirt that might block light.

Solar panels work through all four seasons of the year, come rain or shine, or even hail or in light snow. But solar panels do generally produce less energy in winter. That's because the days are shorter, so there are fewer hours of daylight and the sun is lower in the sky, on average. On the plus side, cold temperatures mean solar panels work more efficiently² than during hot weather.

And you needn’t worry about those rare snowy days – while a solar panel that’s covered in snow cannot absorb light to make electricity, thankfully in UK temperatures, snow will typically slide off correctly mounted solar panels or melt due to residual heat.

How much power a solar PV system produces depends on a range of factors, including the size, angle and direction of your roof as well as local weather patterns across the seasons. Likewise, electricity use will vary from household to household.

A 12-panel solar system could generate enough electricity in a year to power a Tesla Model 3 for 17,660 miles of driving³, run an A++ dishwasher for a whopping 4,465 loads³ or save over £534 a year on your electricity bills⁴.

A professional solar installer can advise on the right system based on your personal patterns of electricity use and the design of your home.

If we’re installing your solar panels, you can add a solar battery to your solar system from just £2,574 and offer interest-free finance⁵ too. We are a credit broker and not a lender. You’ll have peace of mind, knowing that your battery storage comes with a 10-year warranty and if you generate more electricity than you can store in your battery – you can get paid for any electricity you export to the National Grid with our Smart Export Guarantee. 

Solar panels are a big investment — and one of the best things you can do for the environment at home.

You can learn more about how the sun's energy can help you become more sustainable and spare your pennies too with these six great tips for harnessing sun power around the house. Or, to discover other great renewable energy solutions for the home, from 100% renewable electricity to air source heat pumps, read these seven ways to power your home with renewable energy. To find out more about whether solar panels are right for you, click here.

^{1. Energy Saving Trust: Solar panels} 

^{2. The Greenage: The Impact of Temperature on Solar Panels} 

^{3. Based upon MCS tables for Brighton region with 1,132 kWh/kW at 40° inclination showing a 12 x 325W (3.9kW) system will generate 4415kWh/year, with an A++ dishwasher using 265 kWh per year. EV performance figures based upon the combined energy consumption of a Tesla Model 3 at about 265wh per mile.} 

^{4. These are example figures only. Savings are based on a south-facing property in central England with a 40-degree roof tilt and no shading, with electricity consumption of4,900 kWh. Saving assumes fitting 14 x 325W panels and a 10.4 kWh battery and an electricity cost of 17.812p/kWh.} 

^{5. E.ON Energy Installation Services Limited acts as a credit broker not a lender and work exclusively with Creation Consumer Finance Limited who acts as the lender. Credit subject to status, terms and conditions apply and can be found at eonenergy.com/terms-and-conditions/eon-installation, E.ON reserves the right to amend its finance offering at any time and may withdraw at short notice. E.ON UK plc is an Introducer Appointed Representative of E.ON Energy Installation Services Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to credit broking services under number 750410. Registered in England and Wales under company number 09965944 with its registered office at Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry, CV4 8LG.}