As winter approaches, many Maine homeowners wonder whether their grid-tied solar systems will still work effectively during the colder, darker months. After all, Maine winters are famous for snow, short days, and the kind of weather that makes you wonder if the sun went south with the snowbirds. 

The good news is that your solar panels don’t hibernate when the temperatures drop! Here’s what you need to know about how solar panels in winter perform here in Maine, and how you can still make the most of them during the snowy season.

Do Solar Panels Work in Winter?

Absolutely! Solar panels work in winter just fine. They generate energy from sunlight, not heat. As long as there’s daylight—and even in the dead of a Maine winter, there’s still daylight—your system will continue to produce electricity. In fact, solar panels actually like the cold. While they may produce less energy compared to the sunny summer months, solar panels work more efficiently in colder temperatures. So, when it’s freezing out there, your panels are still doing their thing—sometimes even better than in the summer.

What About Shorter Days?

Yes, it’s true—Maine’s winter days are shorter, with December giving you about 8 or 9 hours of sunlight if you’re lucky. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean your solar panels are taking a long nap. Grid-tied solar systems are designed to pull electricity from the grid when your solar production dips, meaning you’ll still have power when the sun decides to hide behind those cloudy skies.

And here’s the real kicker: many Maine homeowners can take advantage of net metering. With net metering, any extra energy your solar panels generate during those glorious sunny summer days gets sent back to the grid, and you get credits for it. Then, when the days are shorter and your solar system is producing less energy, you can use those credits to keep your bills low. It’s like having a little solar savings account for the winter.

How Does Snow Impact Solar Panels?

It wouldn’t be a Maine winter without a good ol’ Nor’easter dumping a foot of snow on everything, right? Snow can temporarily block sunlight from reaching your panels, but here’s the thing: solar panels are installed at an angle that helps the snow slide off naturally. Plus, because solar panels are dark and absorb sunlight, they create a little heat that helps melt snow faster.

If you notice a heavy accumulation of snow, you can give your panels a helping hand with a soft brush or plastic snow rake to clear them off. Just make sure you’re gentle—no need to use anything sharp that might damage the panels.

Grid-Tied Systems Keep You Connected

One of the big perks of having a grid-tied solar system in Maine? You’re still connected to the power grid. So, even on those overcast, snowy days when your panels aren’t generating much energy, you’ll still have electricity flowing into your home from the grid. This means no bundling up in all your LL Bean layers inside—your home stays powered up, cozy, and warm all winter long.

Maine winters may throw snow, shorter days, and the occasional icy gust your way, but your solar panels in winter will continue to work hard for you. By keeping your panels clear of snow and using net metering, you’ll optimize your solar energy production throughout the cold season—keeping your home warm and your energy bills in check.

Thinking about making the switch to solar? Contact us today and let’s chat about how you can keep the power going all year long—even when the sun seems like it’s on vacation in Florida! You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get additional information and news about the solar industry.