Do Solar Shingles Work During Winter?

When you live in Wisconsin, it’s natural to wonder: do solar shingles work during winter? With shorter days, cloudy skies, and plenty of snow, it’s a fair question. The short answer: yes, they absolutely do.

At Sun Vault Roofing, we design every solar roofing system to maximize annual economic savings, not just seasonal performance. Our systems account for seasonal swings, so you’ll naturally see higher production during long, sunny summer days and lower output during short, overcast winter ones. But the overall yearly return remains strong and predictable, on average.

Even with light snow coverage, solar shingles keep working. Their dark glass surface and the heat generated from electricity production help snow melt and slide off quickly once the sun comes out, and short pauses in production during winter storms have little impact on your system’s annual energy output.

After 9+ inches of snow in late November 2025, this solar shingle array on the west side of Madison remained clear and energy-producing despite the remainder of the roof still being covered in snow.

Do Shingles Work in Winter? What to Expect from Solar in Cold Weather

Lower Sun Hours, Not Lower Performance

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, including solar shingles, actually operate more efficiently in cold temperatures. The electronics in your solar system perform best in cooler conditions, so the cold isn’t what limits production, it’s the shorter daylight hours, overcast skies, and snow coverage.

Solar cells generate power whenever there is sunlight, even if filtered through clouds. On heavily overcast days, they typically still produce up to 25% of their usual output. A cold sunny day, with minimal cloud cover, can still produce up to 80% of clear-sky output, thanks to diffuse light and favorable cell efficiency in cool temperatures.

How Snow and Ice Affect Solar Shingles

Designed for Wisconsin Winters

Solar shingles have a low-profile design that sits flush against your roof, which means less risk of snow overhang or ice dams forming underneath.With conventional, rack-mounted solar panels, these risks can be more severe.

The slight warmth generated by the system, combined with the enhanced slipperiness of solar glass, helps snow naturally shed from the surface. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar systems can continue to thrive in winter weather, and snow accumulation typically has a negligible impact on annual energy production (Energy.gov).

That said, not every storm will melt away instantly. Your solar shingles may stay covered for a few days or even weeks after heavy snowfall, and that’s completely normal. Your system isn’t broken; production simply pauses temporarily until the sunlight returns.

Should You Remove Snow from Solar Shingles?

No, almost never. The risks to both you and the system are simply too great from the small benefit you may receive. In most cases, it’s best to let nature take its course and wait for the snow to melt naturally. Remember: we optimize our systems for annual performance and winter production makes up only a small percentage of your total annual solar output. Your loss due to snow cover is predicted-for in our modeling and ultimately negligible on an annual basis.

If heavy snow ever becomes a concern or you’re unsure about whether it needs to be removed, contact the Sun Vault Roofing team at 608-608-1082. We can inspect your system, offer professional guidance, and in extreme circumstances recommend safe snow-removal options to protect both your roof and your solar shingles.

Hail Resistance and Durability

Wisconsin weather is tough, but solar shingles are tougher. They’re hail-resistant, tested to withstand significant impact without compromising performance. CertainTeed’s Solstice solar shingles are Class 3 impact-rated. This means they remain unscathed after being struck head-on by a 1.75-inch steel ball dropped from a height of almost 18 feet. Our standard asphalt shingles carry the exact same impact rating, so you can know that you are not sacrificing durability or protection by your decision to go solar.

Even if hail cracks the outer glass surface, the underlying waterproof layer protects your roof from leaks. Most systems continue to function with only slight efficiency loss until a replacement shingle is installed.

And in the unlikely event that the glass of your solar shingles does crack, fret not, for the roof will remain watertight. The waterproofing elements of the integrated solar roof system are separate from and not reliant on the photovoltaic glass.

Understanding Sun Angles and Roof Pitch

To generate the most solar energy, sunlight should hit your roof as close to perpendicular (90°) as possible. But since the sun’s angle changes throughout the year, your roof pitch affects how much light your solar shingles can capture during each season.

Roof Pitch and Seasonal Production

Your roof’s slope, known as its pitch, plays a big role in how efficiently your solar shingles capture sunlight throughout the year. Roof pitch is typically measured in “rise over run.” For example, a 4/12 roof means it rises 4 feet in height for every 12 feet it travels horizontally. The steeper the pitch, the more upright your roof surface is, and that angle changes how sunlight hits your solar shingles through the seasons.

The ideal pitch depends on your home’s design and location, but since you can’t tilt your roof to follow the sun, finding the right balance for year-round performance is key.

Shallow Roofs (4/12 pitch, ~18° tilt)

Shallow roofs perform great in the summer when the sun is high overhead, maximizing solar production during long, sunny days. In winter, output naturally drops because the low-angle sun hits the roof less directly. However, the seasonal difference between summer and winter production is less dramatic compared to steeper roofs.

Moderate Sloped Roofs (8/12 pitch, ~34° tilt)

A moderately sloped roof delivers the best year-round balance. This pitch provides strong summer output while also capturing more of that hard-to-reach winter sunlight. You’ll still see reduced production in the cold months due to shorter days and lower sun angles, but this middle-ground slope helps maximize energy generation across the calendar.

Steep Roofs (12/12 pitch, ~45° tilt)

Steep roofs shine in winter, with solar shingles positioned to soak up low-angle sunlight more effectively than flatter roofs. Expect a larger seasonal swing: winter production improves, but summer output may be slightly lower compared to shallower roofs.

Here’s a quick comparison at a glance:

Roof Pitch	Winter Performance	Summer Performance	Seasonal Swing (Difference)
4/12 (~18°)	Fair (shallow sunlight impact angle)	Excellent	Large (big drop from summer to winter)
8/12 (~34°)	Good	Very good	Moderate (best year-round balance)
12/12 (~45°)	Strong (impact angle near perpendicular with low sun)	Less idea	Smallest (most even performance across seasons)

Wisconsin’s Winter Sun Angle

Most of Wisconsin sits between 43° and 45° north latitude (Madison is around 43.1°N). That position means the sun’s height in the sky changes dramatically throughout the year, and this shift is one of the main reasons solar output varies by season.

Time of Year	Sun Elevation at Solar Noon
Summer Solstice (June 21)	~70° above the horizon
Winter Solstice (Dec 21)	~23° above the horizon

During winter, the sun stays lower on the horizon all day. This means sunlight travels through more atmosphere before it reaches your roof, reducing intensity and duration. It’s a normal part of Wisconsin’s solar cycle, and one that Sun Vault Roofing’s solar design and engineering process accounts for to optimize your system for steady, reliable performance year-round.

Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Go Solar

Even though climbing on roofs is trickier during winter, solar system design, permitting, and planning happen year-round. In fact, winter is an ideal time to start the process.

When you reach out early, our team can:

• Complete design and permitting before spring

• Collaborate with utility companies on interconnection processes during their slow period

• Schedule your installation before the busy season

• Ensure your system is live by the time long, sunny summer days arrive

Final Answer: Do Solar Shingles Work in Winter?

Cold weather isn’t the enemy of solar power, lack of sunlight hours is. Solar shingles and integrated solar roofing systems are designed and engineered for year-round performance, with high efficiency in cold temperatures, strong hail resistance, and natural snow-shedding properties.

If you’re considering solar for your Wisconsin home, winter is the perfect time to get started. That way, by the time summer rolls around, your roof will already be generating clean, renewable energy and maximizing your savings.