You may be surprised to hear that solar panels are not meant for hot climates. They work better in colder climates resulting in higher output. Don’t believe us? Well, technology speaks for itself.
Solar Panels don’t necessarily need the Sun to be shining right on top of them for solar energy to be produced.
Did you know that solar panels are likely to work much better when snow is present on the ground? How? Well, the answer has to do with a little theory of light. The snow’s surface reflects the light to the solar panels, allowing the solar cells to absorb more electrons that would otherwise have been dispersed.
Solar power is a great need of time, with more and more people heading towards green energy consumption. It is no secret that solar panels unlock the key to harnessing solar energy that never ends because the Sun will never send you a payment bill! Except in the form of new solar panel releases that come with advanced features.
So we have made it easier by bringing you the three best solar panels for northern climates to warm up your surroundings.
Renogy 200watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Panel Suitcase
ASIN #B07RFQVB9M
The 200watt solar panel is designed to be an off-grid solar panel system that is foldable and comes with a suitcase. It includes monocrystalline solar cell efficiency at 21%, making it perfect for northern climates. This is because monocrystalline solar cells can absorb sun rays even in the shade, low light environments, or cloudy weather. This means that this solar panel solar energy conversion efficiency will work better in northern climates.
This also comes with a pre-installed 20A charge controller that will prevent fried wires and the risk of overcharging. The aluminum frame makes it rust-resistant so that it can be used extensively in snow or cold weather.
Pros
- Off-grid solar panel system and foldable comes with a suitcase
- Monocrystalline solar cells with 21% efficiency
- Negatively grounded charge controller with a low voltage system
- Rust-resistant aluminum frame for extended outdoor use
- 20A pre-installed positively grounded, charge controller
- Back-lit LCD Display
- Portable and waterproof
Cons
- Difficult to carry around at 35.9lbs
- Comes with a 10A fuse which may not be compatible with the 20A charge controller
Newpowa 100watts 12 Volts Polycrystalline Solar Panels
ASIN #B00L6LZRXM
Newpowa’s 100watts solar panel is another great option if you want to opt for polycrystalline solar cells. Not only is it a great choice for both high and low light levels, but it also does not need a lot of storage space.
Moreover, since it’s a polycrystalline panel, it can withstand high snow loads and winds, perfect for northern climates. In addition to this, the polycrystalline cells are covered in EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), which provides high solar energy conversion efficiency making its optimum use of every ray of sunlight.
It is also framed with anodized aluminum like other good solar panels, and hence, it is more durable and designed for extended use. It’s pretty lightweight for a product that offers heavy-duty performance. You can also find the MC4 connector and 3ft cable at the backside of the panel.
Pros
- It’s lightweight in comparison to traditional solar panel models
- The polycrystalline panel that can withstand tough weather conditions
- High energy conversion efficiency due to high-performance polycrystalline cells
- Heavy-duty performance
- Anodized aluminum frame designed for extended use and durable tpt back sheet
- It can easily be mounted on a variety of surfaces
Cons
- You can’t add an extra panel
Topsolar 100watt 12 Volts Monocrystalline Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit
ASIN #B07S2B2QGV
The Topsolar 100Watt with 12 Volt Off-grid solar panel kit is perfect for charging 12 V batteries and powering cold weather. It includes 4 pieces of Z mounting brackets and 1 pair of red and black solar cable, making it easier for you to set up. You won’t have to use any drilling machine during the installation process because it already has pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel.
The 20 PWM charge controller ensures that the connected devices don’t get overcharged, so you won’t have to worry about constantly keeping an eye on the solar panel. This is also a great starter kit for those who want to test their energy consumption levels and then expand accordingly. This can be expanded up to 400watts in a 12 volts system or 800 watts in a 24 volts system.
The good news is that not only does it have monocrystalline solar cells but, it can also withstand extremely high winds of up to 2400 pa and snow loads of up to 5000pa. Now, that is surely a sturdy solar panel to invest in. It’s durable and long-lasting due to its rust-resistant aluminum frame and tempered glass surface.
Pros
- Rust-resistant aluminum frame
- Withstands high winds (2400pa) and snow loads (5000pa)
- Monocrystalline solar cells with high energy conversion
- It can be expanded up to 400 watts (12v) or 800 watts (24v)
- Pre-drilled holes in the back making it easy to install
Cons
- The charge controller doesn’t connect properly with the cables provided
- The charge controller makes some noise
What to consider when buying Solar Panels for Northern Climates?
Before making up your mind about the best solar panels for northern climates, you should know that having monocrystalline solar cells in your solar panel is a much better option than having polycrystalline solar cells.
This is because monocrystalline is the successor of polycrystalline, and it was designed keeping in mind cold weather. Polycrystalline takes up a lot of space and is inefficient for low-light environments usually present in colder regions.
Final Thoughts
You might have reached here to see our top pick from the three best solar panels for northern climates. We’d recommend the Renogy 12v 200watts Monocrystalline Solar Panel because not only is it the perfect size, but it comes with monocrystalline solar cells that can provide you up to 21% energy conversion efficiency, which is suitable for colder regions that often don’t get that much sunlight.
If you require more help regarding solar panels, please reach out to us.
