Winter in New England brings the usual suspects: snow, ice, freezing rain, high winds and shorter days. All of these can affect solar production and create a host of maintenance issues for residential rooftops, commercial buildings, and large solar farms. The key to good winter care is monitoring the performance of the system, keeping access routes clear, being on the lookout for any damage and knowing when it’s time to call in the professionals.
Here are some practical solar panel care tips to help protect your solar installations through the New England winter.
Solar Panel Care Tips for Winter
1. Monitor Solar Panel Performance
Shorter winter and fall days, lower sun angles, and cloud cover will all naturally lead to reduced winter solar production. Snow on the panels will definitely reduce output and, in some cases, can completely stop production until the snow has cleared. Keeping an eye on your solar monitoring app and paying attention to energy production is a must. A sudden drop or a sustained drop may well be due to snow on the panels, an inverter fault, or some other issue that needs looking at.
2. Never Climb on a Roof to Remove Snow
Climbing onto an icy or snow-covered roof is very hazardous, and walking on the panels can damage them. If you need to remove snow, use a qualified person with the appropriate equipment and experience. Never use metal shovels, sharp tools, or excessive force on the panel surfaces. Your best bet? Leave solar panel cleaning to the professionals.
3. Let Snow Melt Naturally When Possible
Solar panels are installed at an angle so snow will slide off as the temperature rises. The panels’ dark surface absorbs the sun’s rays and can help promote melting, even on cold winter days. In many cases, the safest option is to wait for the snow to shed naturally. Don’t pour any hot water on them and don’t apply any de-icing chemicals, as this can lead to thermal stress and may damage the panel components.
4. Keep Roofs, Gutters, and Drainage Areas Clear
We New Englanders know that heavy snow and ice are inevitable in the winter months. (Last winter was one of the worst in years!) Both can put extra weight on your solar panels. Ice dams, clogged gutters, and melting snow can also cause water problems near rooftop solar panels. Before winter, have your gutters and drainage checked. For commercial properties, include roof drains, downspouts, and areas around rooftop equipment in your regular maintenance.
5. Watch for Ice Buildup and Falling Snow
You’ve probably seen snow and ice slide off solar panels in big sheets. This usually happens when the temperatures rise after a big storm. It goes without saying that this can create a very dangerous hazard near doors, walkways, parking lots, and building entrances. Properly removing snow and ice from panels helps prevent injuries from falling snow or ice. The same can be said for any automobiles that may be in harm’s way.
6. Inspect Solar Panels After Major Winter Storms
Big storms bring big problems for solar systems. It’s not just the panels that you have to pay attention to. Strong winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow can damage the mounts, wiring, and frames of your panels as well. After big storms, check from a safe spot for panels that have moved, have loose parts, broken glass, or hanging wires. This is key: if you manage a commercial property or solar farm, make post-storm inspections part of your winter routine. A good rule of thumb is to leave any electrical or structural repair to the professionals.
7. Keep Solar Farm Roads and Access Areas Clear
Here’s another incentive to have snow removed from roads, gates, and other equipment: snow removal makes it easier to reach and repair your solar system. Devising a snow removal plan ensures that access routes stay open. It’s also a good idea to mark where ground-mounted solar arrays are so plow drivers don’t hit panels or wires. Keep drainage areas clear to prevent water from pooling and freezing again.
8. Schedule Professional Cleaning and Maintenance Before and After Winter
It is advised not to wash solar panels in freezing weather conditions. Why put yourself or your crew in danger? Water can freeze on the panels, roof, and walkways. The Peak Solar Pro team advises that you have a professional cleaning before winter. Having dirt, pollen, bird droppings, and other buildup removed before it gets cold is a wise decision. What about after winter? A spring cleaning can remove anything winter left behind and get your system ready for longer days and more solar power.
If you manage a commercial installation or solar farm, your seasonal maintenance should cover panel inspections, checking drainage, assessing equipment, and planning for vegetation management.
How Cold Weather Affects Solar Panel Performance
Cold weather doesn’t harm solar panels. In fact, photovoltaic panels often work better in cold temperatures than in heat. The main winter challenges in New England are less daylight, snow covering the panels, ice buildup, and weather damage.
Fall and Winter Solar Panel Maintenance Checklist
Homeowners and property managers can use this solar panel care checklist to get their solar installations ready for winter:
- Monitor solar production throughout winter.
- Keep all gutters and drainage systems clear of leaves and snow..
- Avoid climbing onto roofs or walking on solar panels.
- Keep walkways and parking areas safe from falling snow and ice.
- Inspect installations after major storms.
- Keep solar farm roads and equipment access points clear.
- Arrange professional inspections when damage is suspected.
- Schedule professional panel cleaning in the fall or spring.
How Peak Solar Pro Helps Prepare New England Solar Installations for Winter
Peak Solar Pro offers professional solar panel cleaning and ground maintenance across New England. We help homeowners, businesses, property managers, and solar farm operators keep their installations clean, easy to access, and well maintained. Our services include robotic panel washing, rooftop cleaning for businesses, vegetation management for solar farms, site inspections, and snow removal for solar panels and access roads.
Fall is a great time to clean off dirt, check your solar installation, and get your property ready for winter. all Peak Solar Pro at (617) 522-4046 for a free consultation or get started online here.
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