Solar Power in Winter: An Overlooked Opportunity for Sustainable Living

How Much Electricity Does a PV System Generate in Winter?

Modern photovoltaic systems also work reliably in winter – and make an important contribution to sustainability, self-consumption and energy independence.

Yes, solar radiation is lower. And yet a PV system still delivers around 20 to 30% of its annual solar yield during the winter months. This is a proportion that is often underestimated.

An example illustrates this:

A 10 kWp system generates around 837 kWh of electricity between December and February, depending on its location and orientation. An average household consumes around 1,260 kWh during this period.

As a result, a PV system can already cover around two-thirds of winter electricity demand. A strong argument in favor of photovoltaics being a reliable component for a sustainable home, even in winter.

When the Heat Pump Becomes Part of the Whole

A heat pump significantly increases electricity consumption in winter. The bill changes – but the benefits remain. The PV system no longer covers two-thirds of the demand. However, it does cover the basic supply. And that is precisely what makes the difference.

Every kilowatt hour you generate yourself goes directly into heating, comfort and a good feeling. This is particularly valuable in winter because it replaces expensive grid electricity – exactly when energy is needed most.

Snow on the Modules – Why Planning Is Crucial

A familiar picture in winter: snow on the roof, electricity production at a standstill.
The reason for this lies less in the weather than in the design of conventional PV modules. If parts of a module are covered in snow, this can slow down the flow of electricity.

That’s why intelligent energy use starts with planning:

• Half-cell modules enable electricity to be generated even when part of the module is covered.
• A steeper angle of inclination helps snow slide off more quickly.
• Bypass diodes or power optimizers ensure that snow-covered modules do not slow down the rest of the system.

This keeps your PV system active even in winter.

Why Photovoltaics Work in Winter

Even though winter only contributes a small portion to the annual yield, a PV system remains a reliable energy generator. What’s more, some conditions during the cold season even have a positive effect.

Winter therefore brings not only challenges, but also advantages that are often underestimated.

Intelligent Energy Management as the Key to Maximum Efficiency

A large part of energy optimization does not take place on the roof, but inside the house itself. LOXONE makes the difference here – with energy management that thinks for itself and makes sensible use of every kilowatt hour. The system recognizes when solar power is available and uses it where it has the greatest impact:

• Household appliances start up precisely when the PV system is supplying power.
• The heat pump uses solar power during the day to gently preheat the building – so that less grid power is needed at night.
• Your electric car charges when there is surplus power available, without displacing other consumers.

Everything happens automatically. You don’t have to coordinate anything.

This maximizes the benefit of every kilowatt hour generated – especially in winter, when smart energy use is particularly important. The result is a home that operates more sustainably and efficiently supports your PV system throughout the year.

Storage in Winter: Useful if It Thinks for Itself

Using a battery storage system also makes sense in winter – especially if you want to use energy consciously. The solar power generated during the day is stored and available in the evening or morning – exactly when consumption is at its highest.

With LOXONE, battery storage is used in a targeted and economical way. Weather forecasts are also taken into account: is charging worthwhile? Or does it make more sense to consume the energy directly? This reduces the amount of electricity drawn from the grid, lowers costs and makes your home more efficient.

The battery storage system becomes a reliable component for sustainable energy management.

Over the course of a year, this results in self-consumption rates of 50 to 80% – a big step toward control and independence.

Photovoltaics – An Underestimated Contribution to Sustainability

Even in winter, photovoltaics demonstrate what sustainable energy can achieve. Every kilowatt hour you generate yourself replaces fossil fuel-based electricity, reduces CO₂ emissions and makes climate protection visible in your own home.

LOXONE translates this energy into real added value: solar power is intelligently controlled, used sensibly and sustainably integrated into everyday life. The result is a home that takes responsibility and actively participates in the energy transition, even in the cold season.