Is installing solar panels in winter worth it?
More and more households are considering generating electricity at home by installing solar panels. There are now over 1.6 million UK homes with solar panels, rising quickly from one million in 2021.
If you’ve been thinking about going solar too, you might be wondering whether winter is the right time to do it. Shorter days, cloudier skies, and unpredictable weather can make it seem like a strange season to start generating your own energy, but it’s actually the opposite.
In this blog, we’ll explain 3 key reasons why winter is the best time of year to install solar panels.
Cushion winter bills
A common misconception is that solar panels need hot, sunny weather to work. In reality, they generate electricity from daylight, not heat. So, as long as it’s light enough to see outside, your panels can produce power – even on cold and cloudy days.
This means, you can still expect your system to generate around 10–25% of your summer output in winter, which is still a nice cushion for winter bills.
So, if you’re already sold on solar, don’t waste months waiting for “better” weather. You’d only be missing out on months of potential savings while your panels could already be generating free, renewable electricity.
Cut carbon from day one
By installing in winter, your panels can hit the ground running: generating, saving, and ready to deliver maximum output as daylight hours grow. That means you can fully enjoy the spring and summer, safe in the knowledge that your roof is ready to capture every possible ray of sunshine, as soon as it arrives. It’s the perfect way to start the year feeling prepared and ahead of the curve, and start as you mean to go on with the satisfaction of a full year of generation.
Beat the spring rush
Most people don’t think about solar panels until they see the sunnier months again, which is why spring and summer are the busiest seasons for installation.
By getting ahead of peak demand periods, you’re effectively skipping the queue, benefiting from shorter and more flexible lead times. Then, you can sit back knowing your panels are fitted, tested, and ready to go, while everybody else is just booking in.
So, is installing solar panels in winter worth it?
Absolutely. Solar works all year round, and installing in winter puts you one step ahead of the curve, ready to secure the biggest savings when the sun returns.
