Published April 24th, 2018 by Reposit Power

How to get your solar panels Winter ready

How to get your solar panels winter ready

How to get your solar panels ready for winter!

As the last of the Autumn leaves fall Winter is around the corner which means now is the best time to get your solar panels Winter ready.

With the shorter and cloudier days approaching if you prepare your panels now you can sit back and enjoy the Winter sunshine knowing you’ll get the most value out of your solar panels.

Fun Fact!
Did you know that solar panels are tested at 25 degrees Celsius, so for every degree the temperature rises above that, your solar panel’s performance is actually reduced!

Winter has an advantage over summer, even though it still needs to make up for the shorter days and increased clouds.

Get your solar panels Winter ready

While you’re cleaning your gutters give your panels a good scrub with a soft brush to get rid of any grime build up, bird droppings or dirt. Avoid harsh chemicals or hard bristled scrubbers - they could do damage your panels.

If cleaning your panels from the ground isn’t possible, don’t try to get on your roof unless you have the appropriate safety equipment and training. It might be better to just hire a suitably qualified professional instead, your installer may know a reputable service or company.

Get our Autumn energy saving tips to make your electricity bill fall

Move with the sun - adjust your panels

To make sure your panels are getting all the sunlight they can trim any overgrown trees or branches that may interfere with your precious sunlight.

Generally on a good day you’ll get full sun from 9am until about 5pm. Take into consideration the angle of the winter sun because you may need to adjust the angle of your panels*.

The sun hits your panels at a different angle in winter than in summer, it’s easy to increase your solar output with an adjustment to the tilt of your solar panels.

You can find the best angle based on your location and the time of year here.

*If your panels are adjustable, check your manufacturer's guide or contact your installer if you’re unsure.

See into the future - monitor your panels

Want to get more hands-on and with more value from your solar panels?  Take a look at monitoring software like Reposit First.

See the best times to use your energy draining appliances. Reposit First predicts your solar generation and energy consumption 24 hours in advance. Use this to know when to start the dishwasher or washing machine to get the best value from your solar panels.

Reposit First gives you the information you need to make intelligent decisions about how and when you use energy, and what future energy investments you should make.

With no ongoing subscriptions - at your fingertips from your desktop computer, tablet or smartphone:

  1. View and track your home energy costs
  2. See your energy usage in real time
  3. Monitor your solar system’s performance
  4. Audit your power bills
  5. Discover if solar batteries are right for you

Let smart technology sell your excess energy for the highest possible price.  Learn how.

Store the Winter sun - get a solar battery with Reposit

Battery storage is being embraced by more Australian households than anyone could have ever be predicted. It’s also the way to go if you want to increase your energy independence and during the colder months you’ll maximise the value and output of your solar panels.

Here’s five reasons why a Reposit Powered solar battery will maximise your investment:

  1. Rain or shine, you’re covered
    Reposit knows when it’s going to be sunny or cloudy by monitoring your local weather forecast.
    It predicts 24 hours in advance how much energy your solar setup will generate. Reposit knows whether there'll be enough sun to fill your battery or if you'll need supplementary power from the grid.
  2. Get power for less
    More importantly, Reposit knows what electricity plan you’re on. It’ll store power in your battery when prices are low, ready for you to use when prices are high – minimising your need to buy electricity from the grid during these times. With Reposit, you’ll only draw power from the grid when there is no other option - maximising your solar battery investment.
  3. Records everything - just in case
    The decision maker is next to your meter box, not on the Internet. This means that when your home’s Internet connection goes down, your battery setup still works giving you peace of mind.
  4. Delivering results 24/7
    You don’t want a battery setup that will fail when it doesn’t have an Internet connection. Just like a brain, Reposit makes decisions on its own to get you the lowest possible power bill ensuring you always get the best value out of your solar battery setup.
  5. Credit where credit’s due
    With Reposit, when electricity companies struggle to meet grid demands, or when wholesale electricity prices spike, we’ll sell the stored energy in your battery for an extraordinary price. The best thing is, you don’t need to do a thing, Reposit will work out the best time to sell your energy automatically. Learn More about GridCredits®Ready to reduce your power bills? Get a free quote.