Is Solar Worth It in Winter? Let’s Bust That Myth

⚡️mythbusters Apr 13, 2025

Winter is a magician.
It steals the light, hides the warmth, and convinces even the most hopeful that nothing grows under a gray sky.

That’s exactly what the Alvarez family believed when they first considered solar. They had heard the warnings, the whispers, the cautious advice from neighbors: “It won’t work in the winter.” “The sun’s too weak.” “You’ll still end up paying PG&E.”

So when the first icy rains rolled over their Sacramento roof and the daylight hours shrank to shadows, they braced themselves—for disappointment.

But then something unexpected happened.

They opened their January electric bill and saw a number they couldn’t believe:

$21.87.

Rosa Alvarez blinked twice, turned to her husband Hector, and said, “Wait… this can’t be right.”

But it was.
Because they hadn’t just gone solar. They went solar smart—with SolarEvol.

🌫️ The Big Lie About Winter Solar

The idea that solar “doesn’t work” in winter is one of the industry’s most persistent myths.

Here’s what most people don’t realize:

Solar panels produce energy from light, not heat. Cold, clear winter days can actually improve performance because panels work more efficiently at lower temperatures.
Shorter days = less total sun, but not zero sun. It’s all about what your system can capture and how that power is stored, credited, or used.
And most importantly?
If your system was designed only for summer savings... it was never designed for you.

⚠️ The Alvarez Family’s Turning Point

Before working with SolarEvol, the Alvarezes were almost sold on a cookie-cutter system—fast install, no upfront cost, promises of "up to 90% savings."

But no one explained how the system would perform in December.
No one mentioned that without proper sizing, winter bills could spike.
And definitely no one brought up net metering, battery storage, or how to make the grid work for them in colder months.

Then they found us.

🔎 What Made the Difference? SolarEvol’s Cold-Weather Strategy

We didn’t just install panels—we mapped out a full energy strategy that worked year-round, not just when the sun is blazing.

Here’s what we did differently:

✅ Energy Usage Modeling — Across All 12 Months

We looked at their past utility data to see how much energy they actually used in winter. Most companies model systems around summer peaks—we designed for reality.

✅ Winter-Specific Design

Their roof orientation, shading, and local weather patterns were factored into a winter performance model—so they knew what their system would produce in January, not just in June.

✅ Net Metering Maximization

We helped them bank energy credits from summer overproduction, which offset their winter draw. Every extra kilowatt-hour their system produced during July helped them beat the grid in January.

✅ Battery Storage Rebate

We unlocked a state resiliency grant to install a small battery—giving them backup power during outages and control during peak-rate hours.

✅ Performance Guarantee & Remote Monitoring

They got a system that was smart-monitored, optimized daily, and guaranteed to deliver—with alerts if production dipped.

⚡ The Result: Bills Shrinking, Control Growing

This winter, while their neighbors complained about rate hikes and outages, the Alvarezes:

Paid less than $30/month, even during a record-cold January
Avoided winter peak utility rates with stored solar power
Had power during a 5-hour blackout while the rest of the block went dark
Used solar credits from summer to cover their winter draw
Gained confidence, control, and clarity over their energy

“We used to think solar was only a summer thing,” Hector said. “Now we see—it’s a strategy for every season.”

💡 The Truth: Solar Doesn’t Fail in Winter—Bad Planning Does

The “solar doesn’t work in winter” myth sticks around because too many people get sold panels, not plans.

But here’s the truth:

Winter solar can absolutely save you money
Cooler temps can boost panel efficiency
Net metering can carry you through the darkest months
And with the right design? You can beat the utility—even in February

🔧 Thinking About Solar? Don’t Just Ask “How Much Will I Save?” Ask:

✅ How will my system perform in winter?
✅ Will I be able to bank credits from summer to use later?
✅ Does this design account for real weather data and roof exposure?
✅ Am I eligible for any cold-weather resiliency grants or battery rebates?
✅ Will I own my system—and my long-term savings?

“Solar isn't seasonal. It’s strategic. And if it’s not built for winter... it’s not built for you.”