---
title: "Preparing Your Panels for Winter"
url: "https://halcolenergy.com.au/solar-news/preparing-your-panels-for-winter/"
site_name: "Halcol Energy"
content_type: "article"
breadcrumbs: "Home > Solar News > Preparing Your Panels for Winter"
description: "Even though the months are colder, solar panels can actually work more efficiently during winter and can still provide a decent amount of energy to your home."
keywords: "Solar News"
language: "en"
categories:
  - "Solar News"
word_count: 314
reading_time: "2 min read"
summary: "Winter brings a genuine drop in solar output, but it\'s manageable. Output can fall by around a third over the coldest months, and a few simple steps keep your panels producing a reliable supply of ..."
last_modified: "2023-11-22T16:27:10+10:00"
schema_type: "Article"
related_posts:
  - title: "The 5 Biggest Queensland Solar Farms"
    url: "https://halcolenergy.com.au/solar-news/the-5-biggest-queensland-solar-farms/"
  - title: "JA Solar Panel’s – Chairman Detained in China"
    url: "https://halcolenergy.com.au/solar-news/ja-solar-panels-chairman-detained-in-china/"
  - title: "Join Halcol at the Sunshine Coast Home Show & Caravan, Camping and Boating Expo!"
    url: "https://halcolenergy.com.au/solar-news/join-halcol-at-the-sunshine-coast-home-show-caravan-camping-and-boating-expo/"
estimated_tokens: 409
---

# Preparing Your Panels for Winter

![](https://halcolenergy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Preparing-Your-Panels-for-Winter-1024x682.jpg)

Winter brings a genuine drop in solar output, but it’s manageable. Output can fall by around a third over the coldest months, and a few simple steps keep your panels producing a reliable supply of electricity right through winter.

## Cooler weather doesn’t mean less power
Solar panels actually work better when it’s a bit cooler; for every degree over 25C, your panels lose a bit of efficiency, so as long as you’re smart, you can make winter work for you.

## Give your array a clean
Now’s a good time to give your panels a once-over to get rid of dust, grime, sap, bird poo and so on. You don’t need harsh detergents and definitely no abrasive cloths or cleaners! Some mild detergent and a very soft sponge should do the trick. If you can’t get to your panels yourself, then [ask your installer for help and advice](https://halcolenergy.com.au/book-a-performance-maintenance-service/).

## Maximise exposure
Everything grows in the summer, so if your array is suddenly overshadowed by branches, make sure you trim them back so that your panels get uninterrupted sun throughout the daylight hours.

Another helpful step if you can’t trim back the branches or cut down trees is to change the position of your panels or we can use a technology call [Tigo](https://halcolenergy.com.au/tigo-solar-optimisers/) to optimize the effected panels. If you have a problem we can advise you the options.

## Don’t forget to keep an eye on things
If your system has monitoring software built in, then you’re in luck. You can also retrofit a monitor if you want and this is one of the best ways to ensure your panels are working at their best every day. You might spot a sudden drop in output that can be explained by some fallen leaves, for example. This is easily resolved, helping you to maintain power over the darker months.


---

_View the original post at: [https://halcolenergy.com.au/solar-news/preparing-your-panels-for-winter/](https://halcolenergy.com.au/solar-news/preparing-your-panels-for-winter/)_  
_Served as markdown by [Third Audience](https://github.com/third-audience) v3.6.1_  
_Generated: 2026-10-05 04:53:27 UTC_