Does Solar Work in the Snowy Mountains? Your Questions Answered

One of the most common questions we get: "Does solar even work in the Snowy Mountains?"

The short answer: Yes, and it works better than you might think.

Why Solar Works in Alpine Areas

Cold Temperatures = Better Performance

This surprises most people, but solar panels are actually *more efficient* in cold weather:

Solar panels lose efficiency as they heat up

Cold alpine air keeps panels cool

A panel at -5°C can be 10-15% more efficient than the same panel at 35°C

Winter in the Snowy Mountains provides ideal operating temperatures

Clear Skies = Strong Generation

The Snowy Mountains has:

High altitude = less atmospheric interference

Clear winter days = strong direct sunlight

Low humidity = better solar transmission

Reflective snow = additional light bouncing onto panels

Jindabyne averages 4.2 peak sun hours daily — enough for strong solar generation year-round.

Real-World Performance

A typical 6.6kW solar system in Jindabyne generates:

8,500-9,500 kWh annually

Summer: 35-45 kWh per day (peak December-January)

Winter: 15-25 kWh per day (June-July)

Spring/Autumn: 25-35 kWh per day

Even on cold, clear winter days, generation can exceed 20 kWh — often more than the property uses.

What About Snow on the Panels?

Snow does temporarily reduce generation, but it's not the problem people imagine:

Snow Melts Quickly

Panel angle: Tilted panels shed snow naturally

Dark surface: Panels absorb heat and melt snow from underneath

Morning sun: Even weak winter sun melts snow within 1-2 hours

Black frames: Heat up faster, accelerating snow melt

In practice, panels are usually clear by mid-morning after snowfall.

Optimal Tilt for Snow Shedding

We install panels at steeper angles (30-35°) in alpine areas:

Standard tilt: 23° (optimal for latitude)

Alpine tilt: 30-35° (better snow shedding)

Trade-off: Slightly lower summer output, but better winter performance and faster snow clearing

Snow Isn't Common in Inhabited Areas

Most Snowy Mountains properties are below the snow line:

Jindabyne (916m): 10-15 snow days per year

Berridale (850m): 5-10 snow days

Cooma (800m): 5-8 snow days

Higher altitude properties (Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass) see more snow, but panels still generate well during clear periods.

Economics: Does Solar Pay Off Here?

Yes — actually faster than many parts of NSW.

High Electricity Costs

Regional NSW electricity is expensive:

Essential Energy Network: Average 32c/kWh

Sydney average: 26c/kWh

Snowy Mountains homes: Often 28-35c/kWh

Higher electricity prices = faster solar payback.

Solar Payback Period

For a typical 6.6kW system:

System cost: $5,500-$7,500 (after STCs)

Annual savings: $1,200-$1,800

Payback period: 3.5-5 years

25-year savings: $35,000-$50,000

Federal Incentives

The federal government provides STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates):

6.6kW system: ~$2,200-$2,800 in rebates (2026 rates)

Rebates decrease each year — install sooner rather than later

Solar for Holiday Homes

Many Snowy Mountains properties are holiday homes. Solar still makes sense:

Reduce Holding Costs

Holiday homes still consume electricity:

Refrigerators running year-round

Security systems

Heating timers (prevent pipes freezing)

Hot water systems

Standby loads

Solar reduces these costs to near-zero.

Battery Storage = Remote Monitoring

Pair solar with battery storage:

Alerts if power fails (prevents pipe freezing)

Maintain security systems during outages

Remote monitoring via app

Run essential loads without grid

Rental Income

Airbnb/Stayz guests appreciate:

Eco-friendly properties

Off-grid experience (if combined with battery)

Lower operating costs = competitive pricing

Properties with solar and battery backup can charge premium rates.

System Sizing for Alpine Homes

Typical Home Loads

Snowy Mountains homes use more electricity than average due to:

Electric heating (ducted, underfloor, panel heaters)

Hot water systems

Longer winter darkness = more lighting

Average daily consumption:

Summer: 12-20 kWh/day

Winter: 25-45 kWh/day (heating)

Annual average: 8,000-12,000 kWh

Recommended System Sizes

| Property Type | Recommended Size | Annual Generation | Coverage |

|---------------|------------------|-------------------|----------|

| Small cabin/cottage | 3-4kW | 4,200-5,500 kWh | 50-70% |

| Standard family home | 6.6kW | 8,500-9,500 kWh | 60-80% |

| Large home or lodge | 10-13kW | 13,000-17,000 kWh | 70-90% |

We always size based on your specific consumption, roof space, and budget.

Panel Selection for Alpine Conditions

Not all solar panels handle alpine conditions equally:

What We Recommend

Tier 1 Panels with:

High snow load rating (5400Pa minimum)

Temperature coefficient: <-0.35%/°C

Warranty: 25+ years

Salt mist and ammonia resistance (for rural properties near farms)

Brands We Install:

Canadian Solar

Jinko

LONGi

Trina Solar

Q Cells

All meet Australian standards and have local warranty support.

Mounting and Flashing

Alpine installations require:

Reinforced mounting: Higher wind loads

Premium flashing: Prevent ice dam leaks

Corrosion-resistant materials: Stainless steel or marine-grade aluminum

We don't cut corners on mounting — it needs to survive decades of Snowy Mountains weather.

Inverter Placement

Inverters need protection from extreme cold:

Garage or shed: Ideal (protected but ventilated)

External mounting: Requires weather-rated enclosure

Avoid: Exposed outdoor walls (freezing impacts performance)

Off-Grid Solar Systems

Many remote Snowy Mountains properties are off-grid. Solar is essential:

Off-Grid System Components

1. Solar array: 10-15kW typical

2. Battery bank: 20-40kWh (larger than grid-tied)

3. Backup generator: 5-10kVA diesel or LPG

4. Hybrid inverter: Manages solar, battery, and generator

Off-Grid Costs

Off-grid systems are significantly more expensive:

Grid-tied 6.6kW system: $5,500-$7,500

Off-grid 10kW system with 30kWh battery: $35,000-$55,000

But for remote properties, it's often cheaper than paying $50,000-$150,000 to connect to the grid.

Common Questions

Q: Will hail damage my panels?

Quality panels are tested to withstand 25mm hail at 23 m/s. We use panels rated for extreme weather.

Q: What about bushfire risk?

Solar panels are non-combustible. Installations in bushfire-prone areas must meet AS 3959 standards — we ensure compliance.

Q: Can I add battery storage later?

Yes. We always install hybrid-ready inverters so batteries can be added when prices drop or needs change.

Q: How long do panels last?

25-30 years typical lifespan. Panels still produce 80-85% of original output after 25 years.

Q: Do I need to clean them?

Rain usually does the job. In dry periods, we recommend annual cleaning. Snow acts as a natural cleaning agent.

Get a Solar Assessment

Every property is different. We provide free solar assessments including:

Roof inspection and shading analysis

Consumption analysis from bills

System sizing recommendation

Production estimates

Payback calculation

No-obligation quote

Contact us for your free solar assessment.