Yes they do. Solar panels are an effective and sustainable way to produce the electricity your site needs all year round. 

The term ‘solar panel’ naturally makes you think that solar generators, such as our industry leading Solartainer Versatile range,  need sunshine in order to work, but this is not strictly true. A solar generator uses the light from the sun, even when it is diffused by blanket winter clouds. They do not need heat or direct sunlight, so they’ll work during daylight hours, whether the sun is ‘shining’ or not.

In fact, solar generators are more efficient in cold weather than they are on a really hot day. Let’s take a look at how you can power your site efficiently, reliably and cost-effectively in the winter months using Think Hire solar generators.

How Solar Panels Work and How Cold Weather Actually Helps 

Solar panels absorb photons of light and use these to generate a current between two thin layers of silicon by dislodging electrons from the top layer. During cold weather, the energy difference between these photons and the electrons in the panel is greater, so more current is produced. 

Solar generators actually start to lose efficiency above 25°C – but don’t worry, because this is more than compensated for by the increased amount of sunlight you get on warmer days.

So contrary to popular belief, a cold, clear, crisp winter day provides ideal conditions for solar generators. Even lying snow can help, reflecting light from the ground and nearby rooftops – although it’s important to keep your solar panels themselves clear of snow or ice.

Planning for Shorter Daylight Hours

Naturally, while solar generators will still operate efficiently during the winter months, there will be less hours of daylight, and on some days, less light overall due to cloudy conditions. At the same time there will also be an increase in demand for lighting and heating. So how to you continue to utilise sustainable solar energy, while still meeting your site power demands?

This is where a hybrid generator set up really comes into its own. Solar hybrid generators deliver a dependable electricity supply 24hours a day, even in winter, by combining:

• Highly efficient solar panels to maximise sustainable energy

• A battery energy storage system to ensure none of this solar energy goes to waste

• A back-up generator to take over when solar generation stops and battery reserves are depleted

• State of the art energy management technology to manage generation, storage and distribution

How to Maximise Solar Generator During Winter

There are several ways to enhance the efficiency of your solar generator during the winter months to maximise sustainable energy production and cut your energy costs on site:

• Optimise Panel Angles – with the sun lower in the sky, it is important to adjust the tilt and position of solar panels to maximise exposure. Fixed panels should be orientated to the south for maximum light absorption.

• Keep Panels Clean – clearing anything that blocks light to the panel is essential, including snow and fallen leaves. Frost and ice will generally melt away as the panel warms but may also need clearing in extreme conditions.

• Manage Power Loads – timing loads for peak solar generation periods, around the middle of the day, will help preserve battery storage for later use.

• Choose a Think Hire BESS – our battery energy storage systems include temperature control technology that maintains battery temperature at optimum levels, warming them in winter to keep them operating at peak efficiency.

Save on Site Power, Even in Winter, With Solar Generators

Think Hire will help you save on site power on even the shortest of winter days with tried and tested solar hybrid generator systems. Talk to our team today and see how much you could cut operating costs with free, sustainable energy from a solar generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do solar panels charge on cloudy winter days?

Yes. Although cloud will diffuse sunlight, it doesn’t stop it altogether, so there will still be photons of light available to trigger solar power generation. However, thicker cloud will lead to lower light levels, and so less power will be generated compared to a bright sunny day. 

Will frost or snow stop a solar generator from working?

Light frost and thin ice will quickly melt once the sun hits the panel, however lying snow should be cleared manually to stop it from blocking the light. Lying snow around the site can actually increase solar power generation by reflecting light from rooftops and the ground.

Can you leave a solar generator outside in the winter?

Yes. Think Hire solar generators are designed to be robust and resilient in even the most extreme conditions. Our BESS units include temperature management to keep batteries working efficiently even in the coldest of winter conditions.

Is it worth using solar generators on short winter days?

Yes it is. Since sustainable solar energy is free, it will still significantly reduce your operating costs even in the middle of winter. Using a BESS to manage your generation and storage will ensure you get the maximum benefit from solar power on even the shortest winter days.