While solar panels constantly collect solar energy and generate electricity year-round, not all months are equal in terms of power production. Factors like hours of sunlight per day, the angle of the sun’s rays, and even the temperature can meaningfully affect solar energy production during certain times of year, so the question remains:
Which months are the best for solar energy production?
The short answer – and it’s probably what you’re already thinking – is that the late spring and summer months see the highest energy output.
Still, that doesn’t mean solar energy production isn’t viable at other times of the year.
Every season offers something different for energy generation, and knowing what to expect can help you maximize your system’s output all year long.
Which Months Produce the Most Solar Energy?
Not all seasons contribute equally to your solar output – some months simply have the edge.
June, July & August typically see the strongest energy production, while late-spring months such as May often match their performance with better overall efficiency.
The best energy production in a given month isn’t just about having the most sunlight or the highest temperatures; it happens when the environmental conditions have the right balance of three criteria:
- Number of Daytime Hours
- Potential Production Output
- Temperature
1. Number of Daytime Hours
More sunlight to capture in a day means more energy produced; therefore, months with the highest amount of daylight hours can produce energy for longer. These are all spring and summer months, April, May, June, July, and August.
2. Potential Production Output
Production output isn’t just about the number of hours of sunlight solar panels receive in a day; the angle and volume of sunlight also matter.
Usually, the sunniest months with the highest temperatures yield the best overall energy production output. That’s because the solar panels are exposed to the most sunlight at the best angles for the longest possible periods of time. Specifically, these are June, July, and August. Without considering efficiency, these three summer months yield the highest overall energy production per year.
3. Temperature
While months like July and August typically yield high energy production, that doesn’t mean they’re the best overall months for energy production throughout the year. Why? It all comes down to high temperatures. Constant exposure to high temperatures causes solar panels to run hotter and work harder, thereby losing efficiency
A late spring month, such as May, has similar daylight hours to a summer month, but with the added benefit of more moderate average daily temperatures. The result? An almost perfect balance of sun exposure and temperature that allows solar panel systems to produce as much energy as possible with higher efficiency, saving energy in the process.
Are Solar Panels Still Effective During Fall and Winter?
Another short answer – absolutely.
At first glance, fall and winter may not seem ideal for generating solar energy. However, just because the days are shorter, or you can’t feel the heat, doesn’t mean the sun isn’t shining. This means solar energy can be generated during nearly any weather condition, even during heavy snow.
Are solar panels as efficient or produce as much energy during winter and fall as they regularly do during spring and summer? No, but any season is a good time to go solar. Solar panels can still generate enough electricity during the fall and winter months to help sustainably power your home and lower your utility bills.
Further reading: Eight Common Misconceptions About Solar Energy Debunked
The Benefits of Residential Solar Installation During the Spring Season
Just like how there are better months for solar energy production, there’s also an ideal time of year to get your home solar power system installed.
For first-time solar adopters, installing your system during the spring season introduces some often-overlooked benefits. Installing your system during spring or earlier could maximize your potential savings and energy generation faster than installing during the summer.
Benefits of installing solar panels in early spring include:
- Energy Savings that Last the Whole Year: Installing your solar system before summer means more months of longer daylight hours to generate energy, all without missing a day of pre-summer sunlight.
- Generate Excess Energy While Consumption Is Low: Months like April and May yield great energy production, and lower consumption compared to summer months can make the savings even better. Lower consumption means more potential to generate excess energy. With a battery backup system installed alongside your panels, this energy can be saved and used during severe winter storms, periods of peak consumption in the summer, and other opportune moments.
- State Tax Credits: By installing your panels before the year’s tax returns are filed in April, you’re eligible to claim state tax credits on your next tax filing. Waiting until the summer rolls around means waiting until next year to file your taxes and reap those benefits. We can customize our lending to allow you to bridge the tax credits to the next tax season. Please note that this currently only applies to New York State tax incentives; new solar installations are no longer eligible for federal solar tax incentives.
Further Reading: The Benefits of Early Installation and Ground-Mounted Solar Panels
Solar by CIR: Expert Solar Installation at Any Time of Year
No matter when you decide to install residential solar panels on your property, Solar by CIR has the expertise and professional suite of services to streamline the installation process, while ensuring it’s done right the first time. We take a considered and professional approach to every installation, helping you maximize your energy generation potential with optimal angles and positioning for your new system. Contact us to see if solar is right for you.