Do Solar Panels Work in Winter? Real Bills from November Show the Truth
One of the most common concerns about solar panels is winter performance. Do solar panels work in winter? Are they worth it when daylight hours are short and skies are often cloudy? We've obtained actual energy bills from the same UK household for November 2022 (before solar) and November 2023 (after solar installation) to answer these questions definitively.
These genuine Scottish and Southern Energy bills show exactly how solar panels perform during one of the darkest months of the year. No marketing claims, no theoretical projections—just real meter readings and actual costs from identical billing periods one year apart.
The Bottom Line: Winter Solar Panel Savings
Even in November—with short days, low sun angles, and typical UK weather—solar panels delivered measurable savings. Here's what the bills reveal:
| Metric | November 2022 | November 2023 | | :---- | :---- | :---- | | Solar Panels? | NO | YES | | Monthly Bill | £81.75 | £53.37 | | Electricity Usage | 210 kWh | 167 kWh | | Daily Average | 7.0 kWh/day | 5.6 kWh/day | | Monthly Savings | — | £28.38 | | Percentage Reduction | — | 35% | | Account Credit | -£195.23 | -£578.94 |
Even in the depths of winter, solar panels reduced this household's electricity bill by 35%, saving £28.38 in November alone. That's £340+ in annual savings just from winter months.
Why Winter Solar Panel Performance Matters
Many people assume solar panels are only worthwhile in summer. These November bills prove otherwise. Winter performance is actually crucial for understanding the true value of solar panels because:
1. It represents worst-case scenarios - If solar panels save money in November, they'll save even more the rest of the year
2. Winter is when energy bills spike - Longer nights mean more heating, lighting, and appliance use
3. Every kWh counts - Even modest solar generation offsets the most expensive grid electricity
4. Credit balance builds year-round - Notice how the credit balance nearly tripled from -£195 to -£579 after one year with solar
The fact that this household maintained a growing credit balance through winter months demonstrates that solar panels contribute meaningful value even when conditions aren't optimal.
Annual Electricity Reduction: 32% Less Grid Dependency
Beyond the monthly snapshot, these bills reveal estimated annual usage—showing the long-term impact of solar installation:
| 12-Month Period | Annual Usage | | :---- | :---- | | Nov 2021 - Nov 2022 (no solar) | 2,511 kWh | | Nov 2022 - Nov 2023 (with solar) | 1,715 kWh | | Reduction from Grid | 796 kWh (32%) |
The household reduced grid electricity consumption by nearly 800 kWh over 12 months. This means the solar panels generated at least 796 kWh of electricity that would otherwise have been purchased from the grid—and likely generated even more that was either used immediately or exported for payment.
Breaking Down November Electricity Usage
These bills show detailed meter readings that reveal exactly how electricity consumption changed:
| Usage Type | Nov 2022 | Nov 2023 | | :---- | :---- | :---- | | Day Rate Usage | 169 kWh | 93 kWh | | Night Rate Usage | 41 kWh | 74 kWh | | Total Monthly Usage | 210 kWh | 167 kWh | | Day Rate Reduction | — | ↓ 76 kWh (45%) |
The most significant impact is on daytime electricity usage, which dropped by 45%. This makes sense—solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, offsetting grid consumption when the sun is up. The night rate usage actually increased slightly (possibly due to household changes), but the daytime savings more than compensated.
This pattern is exactly what you'd expect from well-functioning solar panels: dramatic reductions in daytime grid electricity, with nighttime usage unchanged since solar panels don't generate in the dark.
How Solar Panels Reduced November Electricity Costs
Let's break down exactly where the £28.38 monthly savings came from:
| Cost Component | Change | | :---- | :---- | | Electricity Usage Charges | £74.83 → £41.05 (saved £33.78) | | Standing Charge | £6.92 → £12.32 (cost +£5.40) | | Net Monthly Savings | £28.38 |
Solar panels saved £33.78 on electricity usage costs. While standing charges increased (these are set by energy suppliers and vary over time), the net result was still substantial monthly savings. This demonstrates an important principle: solar panels offset usage charges, but standing charges remain as fixed costs of being connected to the grid.
Winter Savings Multiply: Annual Impact of Solar Panels
If November represents typical winter savings, let's project the annual impact:
Conservative estimate (based on November performance):
- Winter months (6 months): £28.38 × 6 = £170.28
- Summer months (6 months, higher savings): £50 × 6 = £300
- Projected annual savings: £470.28
This is a conservative projection. Summer months typically deliver 2-3x more solar generation than winter, so actual annual savings could easily exceed £600-£800. With a typical installation cost of £7,000-£9,000, the payback period would be approximately 10-15 years, followed by 10-15 years of pure profit.
Building Financial Buffer: Credit Balance Growth
One remarkable detail in these bills is the account credit balance:
- November 2022 (before solar): -£195.23 in credit
- November 2023 (after solar): -£578.94 in credit
The credit balance grew by £383.71 over the year. This means that despite paying monthly bills, the household accumulated an additional £383 in credit—essentially a buffer against future energy costs. This credit builds during high-generation months and provides insurance against winter when generation is lower.
The Science Behind Winter Solar Performance
Solar panels work by converting light (not heat) into electricity. While winter brings shorter days and lower sun angles, modern solar panels are remarkably efficient at capturing available light:
- Diffuse light still works - Solar panels generate electricity even on cloudy days
- Cold temperatures help efficiency - Solar panels actually perform better in cold weather than extreme heat
- Snow reflection - Snow on the ground can reflect additional light onto panels
- Shorter days, not zero days - November still provides 8+ hours of daylight
The bills prove these factors combine to deliver meaningful winter generation. While not as impressive as summer performance, winter solar generation is far from negligible.
What This Means for Your Solar Decision
If you've been hesitant about solar panels because of UK winter conditions, these real-world results should provide reassurance:
- 35% bill reduction even in November
- 45% less daytime grid electricity during the darkest month
- Growing credit balance despite winter conditions
- 32% annual grid reduction across all seasons
Solar panels work in winter. They work well enough to deliver measurable savings, build credit balances, and contribute meaningfully to annual energy cost reduction. The question isn't whether solar panels work in winter—it's whether you want to start saving now or keep paying full price for grid electricity.
Key Takeaways
- November bill reduced from £81.75 to £53.37 (35% savings)
- Daytime electricity usage cut by 45%
- Annual grid consumption reduced by 32% (796 kWh)
- Credit balance grew by £383.71 over 12 months
- Projected annual savings: £470-£800+
Data source: Real Scottish and Southern Energy bills, November 2022 vs November 2023 Same household, same billing period, one year apart
