# Do Solar Panels Work in a Derby Winter? | Eco Solar > What solar panels really make in a Derby winter, month by month from PVGIS figures, why December output is low, and how batteries and overnight tariffs help. URL: https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/blog/solar-panels-winter-derby/ 1. [Home](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/) 2. [Blog](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/blog/) 3. Do solar panels work in a Derby winter? Seasonal # Do solar panels work in a Derby winter? [Eco Solar Panels UK](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/) fits solar panels across Derby. A common question as the days shorten is whether panels still do anything in winter. Here are the numbers. Published 30 September 2026 · By Eco Solar Panels UK ## Yes, but much less Solar panels work on light, not heat, so they keep producing on cold, bright days. What changes in winter is the amount of light. Days are short and the sun is low, so a Derby roof makes far less in December than in July. PVGIS, the European Commission’s solar model, puts it in numbers. For each kWp of south-facing panels in central Derby, it gives about 121 kWh in July and about 34 kWh in December ([PVGIS](https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/)). A December output of roughly a quarter of July’s is normal, not a fault. ## Month by month For a 4 kWp south-facing system in Derby, PVGIS gives roughly: Month Approx. kWh January 140 February 200 March 340 April 440 May 480 June 460 July 480 August 440 September 370 October 250 November 170 December 140 Most of the year’s output comes from April to September. That is why the yearly figure, about 979 kWh per kWp, matters more than any single month. ## Snow and frost A light frost usually clears as the sun comes up. Snow on panels blocks the light until it slides off or melts, and a pitched roof helps with that. Don’t climb onto the roof or use hot water to clear panels. The output lost on a snowy day is small compared with the risk. ## Making the most of winter In winter, you use nearly everything the panels make, because they make so little. The bigger saving comes from a battery charged overnight on a cheaper time-of-use tariff and used through the day and evening. [Is a home battery worth it without solar panels?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/home-battery-without-solar/) explains how that works, and [solar battery storage](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/solar-battery-storage/) covers fitting one. ## When low output is a fault If your system makes very little on a bright winter day, or nothing at all, check the inverter screen and the generation meter. A blank screen or a code on a sunny day is worth looking into. [My solar inverter has stopped working](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/solar-inverter-not-working/) covers the safe checks. Sources - [PVGIS (European Commission)](https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/) - [Energy Saving Trust: solar panels](https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels/) ## Related guides - [Decision Guide How much do solar panels cost in Derby?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/solar-panel-cost-derby/) - [Decision Guide Is a home battery worth it without solar panels?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/home-battery-without-solar/) - [Learn Can I charge my electric car from solar panels?](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/guide/charge-electric-car-with-solar-panels/) Thinking about solar, or need a repair? Get a free quote. Lines open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. 01332 919162 (+441332919162) [Get a free quote](https://ecosolarpanelsderby.co.uk/contact/)