Will home solar panels work in the United Kingdom even during winter?
On One Hand: Weather an IssueThe United Kingdom experiences a significant amount of cloudy weather. On average, the UK receives about 55 percent of the solar radiation received at the equator. This reduces the effectiveness of photovoltaic panels, meaning that larger arrays are needed to produce the same amount of power. In some cases, fallen snow causes panels to stop working entirely.On the Other: Panels Still FunctionPhotovoltaic panels produce power even on dark, cloudy days. In fact, Germany has become a solar hot spot, producing 55 percent of the world’s photovoltaic power in 2007 despite year-round rain and weeks of cloud cover. Solar designs in Seattle, another cloudy city, incorporate bigger arrays, better batteries and efficient appliances to maximize photovoltaic power throughout the year.Bottom LineSolar panels will work throughout the year in the United Kingdom, as long as they are kept clean of snow and debris.
