Amy Smith
Sep 23, 2022
Summer is officially over and we’re heading into the crisp, cool days of fall. As temperatures become cooler, the upcoming months are typically when we see our lowest electricity bills of the year. As a result, autumn can traditionally be overlooked as a time to go solar as pricey electricity bills are not top of mind. However, fall is actually the perfect season for Highpoint Solar to install your solar energy system. In fact, it’s a common myth that those with solar panels only reap money savings on their electric bills during the warmer months. While spring and summer yield longer, sun-filled days that are conducive for energy generation, the truth is that solar power is not seasonal.
Reason 1: Generate Significant Electricity—Even During the Winter
One frequent misconception surrounding solar energy is that panels don’t work during cooler temperatures. However, that’s far from the truth. Solar panels generate energy from the sun’s light—not its heat. And while fall and winter do feature shorter days, solar energy systems actually perform better in chillier environments. In fact, research shows that panels begin losing their efficiency around 77 °F. Meaning, colder temperatures increase the energy production efficiency of solar panels. This may seem counterintuitive, but solar energy panels produce less electricity when it’s hot. You may see your panel’s highest production in the fall, winter, or spring months.
Reason 2: Bank Excess Energy to Offset Expensive Months
A major perk of installing a solar energy system is the ability to take advantage of Net Energy Metering. This allows you to bank the excess solar power your home generates and earn a credit with SCE or LADWP to lower your electric bills. During the cool fall months when you’re producing less energy (say, due to a lack of air conditioning needs), this means you could potentially generate more electricity than you use. In that case, you can save the excess energy you’re storing up. The ultimate goal of going solar is to offset your energy usage throughout the year. By utilizing strategies such as Net Energy Metering, you can take the excess energy you may generate during a longer, sunnier day of summer and apply it to perhaps a shorter, cloudier day in the winter.
Reason 3: Increase Solar Panel Performance with Snow
The Eastern Sierra sees its fair share of snow during the winter months, but did you know this could actually be a good thing for your solar energy panels? If snow is covering your panels, of course, that will hinder solar energy production until it sheds. However, solar panels thrive in colder temperature environments. And as a bonus, white snow can reflect the sunlight to improve the performance of your photovoltaic
system (which helps cells turn sunlight into electricity). Additionally, because solar panels are not insulated, they can generate heat to increase how fast the snow on your roof melts. They are also often installed at an angle, which can help the snow slide right off the roof. Highpoint Solar offers panels with the highest level of snow load capacity on the market, paired with 25 year warranties. So you can rest assured during stormy days.
Reason 4: Quicker Installation Times in the Off Season
Construction’s busy season begins to ramp up in the spring and peak throughout the summer. As temperatures begin to cool, the overall installation timeline could be expedited during the fall and winter as demand decreases. The average time span to complete a solar energy installation project is typically three months. Additionally, Highpoint Solar has more flexible schedules during the off season. In fact, we actually
prefer installing in the valley during the cooler months, such as fall, as opposed to the extreme heat of a summer.
REASON 5: TAX SAVINGS
Looking for an end of year tax savings? The Federal Tax Credit ITC was recently increased to 30% of the cost of your new solar energy system. For every $100 dollars that you spend on solar, $30 can go right back in to your pocket in the form of Federal Tax Savings.
Start Your Solar Energy Journey Today with Highpoint Solar!
As we’ve learned, solar energy is indeed not seasonal. There are a myriad of reasons you should consider going solar this fall, including financial perks and time savings that are unique to this time of year.
To get started today, contact the Highpoint Solar experts by calling 760-937-5849, highpoint-solar.com.
