Does Solar Work in Winter on Long Island?
Short days, nor'easters and snow on the roof. Here's what actually happens to your solar from December through February.
By Steve Maroney, founder of Power House Home Energy · Updated October 2026
Yes. Solar panels make electricity from light, not heat, and they actually run more efficiently in cold weather. Your system produces less in winter because the days are short and the sun is low, so a December month typically produces roughly a third of what a June month does. That's planned for: we size your system for the whole year, and the extra power your panels send to the grid in spring and summer is credited on your PSEG Long Island bill and carried forward to cover the darker months.
What changes in winter, and what doesn't
| Winter effect | What it means for you | |
|---|---|---|
| Cold temperatures | Panels run more efficiently | Cold, clear days are good solar days |
| Short days, low sun | Less production per day | Planned for in your annual sizing |
| Snow on the panels | Production pauses until it clears | Usually slides off within a day or two of sun |
| Power outages | Grid-tied solar shuts off for line-worker safety | A battery keeps your essentials running |
| Your bill | Summer credits carry forward | Winter months draw on what you banked |
Why your summer production pays for your winter
Your panels power your home first. When they make more than you're using, which happens often from April through September, the extra goes to the grid and is credited on your PSEG Long Island bill. Those credits roll forward month to month, so in December and January, when your panels make less than you use, you draw on what you banked. That's why we design every system around your annual usage from a full year of PSEG bills, not a single month.
“Electric bill went from $250/month to $12. Still hooked up to the grid, so no need to worry about a rough patch of weather.”
Ben · Islip, NY · Google reviewWhat about snow?
It usually takes care of itself
Panels are dark, smooth and tilted, so once the sun comes out, snow on them warms and slides off, usually within a day or two. A light dusting can melt off in hours.
Don't climb up to clear it
Going on a snowy roof isn't worth the risk, and metal shovels or rakes can scratch the glass. A day or two of lost winter production costs very little.
Built for the load
Panels are tested and rated for heavy snow loads, and the racking is engineered for your roof. Long Island storms are well within what they're designed for.
Snow guards protect what's below
Snow sliding off a solar array can come down all at once. Snow guards break it up over walkways, doors and decks. Snow guards & critter guards
What happens during a winter power outage?
When the grid goes down in a nor'easter, a standard grid-tied solar system shuts off automatically, even if the sun is out. That protects utility crews working on the lines. If you want power through outages, a battery stores solar energy and switches your home over on its own, keeping the essentials, like your heat, refrigerator and Wi-Fi, running. See Do I need a battery?
Solar with a heat pump in winter
Winter is when a heat pump uses the most electricity, which is exactly when your panels produce the least. That's fine, as long as the system is sized for it. We size the solar for your home and the heat pump together, so the credits you build in the sunny months cover your heating season. See Is it worth replacing oil heat with a heat pump?
Is winter a good time to start?
Yes. Permits and PSEG Long Island approvals take several weeks, so getting started in winter means your system can be approved and installed as the days get longer, ready for the high-production months of spring and summer. See How long does solar take?
Production estimates are typical for a well-oriented Long Island roof. Your proposal shows month-by-month production for your actual roof, shade and system.
Common questions
Does solar work in winter on Long Island?
Yes. Panels make electricity from light, not heat, and run more efficiently in the cold. They produce less in winter because of short days and a low sun, but the credits you build up on your PSEG Long Island bill in spring and summer carry forward to cover the difference.
How much less do solar panels produce in winter?
On Long Island, a December month typically produces roughly a third of what a June month does, because of shorter days and a lower sun angle. Systems are sized for the whole year, so that's planned for.
Do I need to clear snow off my solar panels?
No. Snow usually slides off dark, tilted panels within a day or two of sun. Climbing on a snowy roof isn't worth the risk, and metal tools can scratch the glass.
Will my solar work during a winter power outage?
Not on its own. Grid-tied solar shuts off automatically during an outage to protect utility crews. A battery stores solar energy and keeps your essentials running when the grid is down.
Can solar cover a heat pump in winter?
Yes, when the system is sized for it. We size the solar for your home and the heat pump together, so credits from the sunny months cover the heating season.