When most people think of solar energy, they think of sunny skies and warm temperatures. There is a common misconception that this is the only time that solar energy can be functional and at its best. Solar panels can generate electricity year-round, no matter what the temperature or season. Solar panels are meant to capture sunlight and convert electricity, but their efficiency can change significantly with the seasons. Understanding these changes is important for optimizing energy production.

Solar during the winter season

Interestingly, cold temperatures tend to improve solar panel production. Cold temperatures can increase the efficiency of the panel’s photovoltaic cells, allowing them to generate more electricity than in the scorching summer heat.

Although the cold temperature works in Solar’s favor, the shorter days do not. These shorter days mean fewer hours of sunlight during the winter season. This will limit the time your solar panels take to generate electricity, which means losing an opportunity for your panels to obtain usable energy.

Winter can also mean a lot of cloudy days, which can reduce your solar panel’s output. Clouds can block direct sunlight, decreasing your energy generation. Another thing that can block direct sunlight is snow, though this won’t impact production unless heavy snow accumulates. A light snowfall will have little to no effect on production as the panels are designed in a way that snow would slide off.

Solar during the Spring Season

As we move into spring, our days become longer, making for increased solar exposure and energy production. Another thing that comes along with spring is spring cleaning, although solar panels are generally self-cleaning, spring is a good time for cleaning and checking for any damage.

Spring also offers mild temperatures which will help minimize your panel’s efficiency and with the longer days and the movement into summer, households will start using more energy, making your panels more beneficial.

Solar during the Summer season

Solar has its peak production during the summer, summer has the longest days and the highest sun angle than other seasons, making for increased solar energy production. The Summer season brings clearer, sunny days, meaning fewer clouds to block the sun, this is ideal for solar panel production. Summer is also when energy bills are at their peak. Homes are using more electricity and increasing their consumption. Solar panels can help offset this increased demand, reducing your reliance on the grid and lowering your electricity cost.

Solar during the Fall Season

Just like the winter season, Fall brings cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and increased cloud coverage. In the fall, the sun’s angle changes making the sun lower in the sky compared to the summer months. This can affect the efficiency of your panels and how much sunlight they are able to capture. Ensuring your panels are mounted at an optimal angle to capture more of the sun’s rays can help maximize energy production during the fall, this is why choosing a trustworthy installer is important.

In conclusion, solar panels can be highly effective throughout the whole year. Each season brings its own set of challenges and advantages. Sunny warmer weather may seem like the optimal time for solar but it is important to know that solar panels will perform well in various conditions.

Understanding how solar panels will respond to the seasonal change will allow you to optimize your energy production and take full advantage of this renewable energy source, all year around. By choosing a trustworthy installer, solar will continue to provide a sustainable, cost-saving benefit throughout every season.

NAVIGATING CHANGE: WHAT THE NEW ADMINISTRATION MEANS FOR SOLAR

Kokosing has been a part of the changing power landscape for most of the company’s 70+ year history.

As the technology and markets have evolved over time we have continued to adapt our offerings and capabilities to these changing demands, with successful projects ranging from air-quality upgrades at conventional power stations, to ground up construction of utility-scale combined cycle natural gas plants, to the present day where our solar, energy storage and energy infrastructure projects are reshaping the ever-changing energy systems that powers our homes, buildings and factories.

As a leading solar installer with 24 years of experience in helping our clients evaluate and deploy this technology, our knowledge of policy is as important as our technical expertise.

As President Trump prepares to return to office in January and political control shifts in congress, many of our clients are curious about what this election means for the solar industry and, more specifically, the potential impact that changes in federal policy might have on the solar installations they are considering.

Policy change is just part of the constantly evolving world of energy, and Kokosing has been in business for 14 presidential administrations.

As we look ahead to the next shift in Washington, our team will continue to provide expert guidance to our clients as they navigate changing energy, tax and economic policy and the opportunities and benefits of solar and storage.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT FEDERAL TAX BENEFITS FOR SOLAR?

First let’s start with a review of the current policy landscape. Listed below are some of the most popular current federal benefits directly tied to solar energy:

Residential Federal Solar Tax Credit:

30% of the cost of the system (available through 2032, and then tapering down to zero in 2035)

Commercial Federal Solar Tax Credits:

30% of the cost of the system (available through 2032, and then tapering down to zero in 2035)

10% Bonus Credit for:

- Using domestic content (encourages domestic manufacturing)

- Projects located in an energy community (helps communities that may be impacted by a loss of jobs in traditional energy)

Commercial Federal Grants:

Up to 50% additional funding through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program for eligible agriculture producers or rural businesses.

LOOKING AHEAD: GOING SOLAR IN 2025

While it is never possible to predict the future, an evaluation of past shifts along with consideration of the mechanics of government can help inform a look ahead.

Most solar policy experts are predicting significant changes under the new administration, but that these changes will take time to implement.

Furthermore, there is an established precedent of implementing tax and policy changes in a way that protects individuals and businesses that have made decisions and investments under the current rules.

Sometimes referred to as “grandfathering” or “safe harbor rules” most of these policy changes include mechanisms to avoid retroactive “takings” and allow businesses and markets to function even as change looms on the horizon.

Here is what we expect for 2025:

Tax Credits We expect that they will remain as is for projects started in 2025, but will likely be adjusted after that

Bonus Depreciation Commercial clients currently benefit from accelerated depreciation for solar projects. President Trump’s proposed economic policy included the return of 100% bonus depreciation which would significantly enhance the value of this component of solar tax incentives

Grant Incentives The USDA REAP Grant is funded through September 2027, however unspent or unallocated funds could be subject to an early phase out or significant adjustment

Tariffs President Trump’s proposed economic policy includes a significant increase in the use of tariffs on imported goods. While it is possible that this happens quickly, most expect that there will be time required to implement these changes with the impact on project economics delayed until 2026. It is possible however that as details of planned tariffs emerge an increase in demand for solar equipment could raise prices and/or impact project schedules

Installation timeline We don’t foresee any impact for our existing customers currently scheduled for installation. As the year progresses and the details of policy changes are revealed, a sharp increase in demand could impact our installation timeline as household and business clients sign up to go solar before speculated -or announced- changes would impact their projects

Current Kokosing Solar Schedule Backlog

Presently, we have a typical backlog of projects as homeowners and businesses have signed contracts to take advantage of the many benefits of solar and storage.

Current residential installation timeline: installations scheduled through early 2025

Current rooftop commercial installation timeline: installations scheduled through mid 2025

Current utility scale installation timeline: installations scheduled through 2025 and into 2026

FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR 2026 AND BEYOND

As we look ahead to a new administration, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the role solar plays in America’s energy strategy.

Businesses that adopt solar lock in a portion of their operational costs, helping them stay competitive in an evolving market.

Homeowners who invest in solar will enjoy energy security and financial savings for decades to come. The core advantage of solar technology is that its “fuel” (sunshine) is free and reliable. Billions of dollars are being invested in manufacturing plants across the country as the solar industry seeks to manufacture solar equipment in America for Americans.

The costs, reliability and efficiencies of today’s existing solar technology are proven and accepted by the marketplace.

Electricity demand has been rising across the economy and the accelerating demands of AI computing and data centers are forecasted to put increasing demands on the utility grid. Distributed generation resources like solar and the load balancing services of storage can be located close to the point of use, an important advantage as the utility grid is reshaped to serve the next 100 years of energy demand.

We believe that American innovation, resilience, and adaptability will continue to drive the growth of solar energy, no matter what policy changes may impact the speed of its growth.

Though we certainly don’t know exactly what the future holds beyond 2025, here are the top considerations we’re watching for:

Tax Credits Tax credits are a policy tool popular with Republicans for decades, with today’s solar investment tax credit originally signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005. Most policy experts expect that the solar tax credits will be adjusted downward over time, likely through shortening the time before they begin to sunset downward. It is rumored that they may require domestic content in the future as well.

Grants The USDA REAP program, while popular with rural states, may be reduced to fund other economic priorities. We could see an early phase out, a decrease in the amount of awards or elimination of the program entirely.

Tariffs While little is known about what the final tariffs may look like, as currently proposed the 20% across the board tariffs would increase the costs of many of the components that make up a solar project.

Installation timing Any of the expected changes could drive up short term demand for solar and storage projects. Even as our team expands to serve customer demand it is possible that customers will see longer waits

Interest rates Monetary policy has a big impact on household and business decisions and could increase or decrease project economics and the wait for projects.

Domestic content requirements – we could see an increase or decrease in the current requirement for building new solar projects with domestic content (currently there is a 10% tax credit adder for commercial projects only). Building the manufacturing infrastructure to meet rising demand takes time, so it is hoped that a change in this area would be phased in over time.

Procurement of materials – the wait for transformers and commercial switchgear is sometimes one year or more. This period could grow longer if policy changes shoot up demand in the near term as customers seek to lock in favorable policies.

GROUPS TO FOLLOW

The Kokosing Solar team follows local, state and national solar policy closely. Here is a list of the groups we’re getting our information from:

Solar Energy Industries Association

Green Energy Ohio

Amicus Solar Cooperative

United States Senate

House of Representatives

International Trade Commission

Please stay in touch with us – on social media and through our email newsletter – as we communicate any updates with our followers.

Our thousands of clients over the past 20 years understand that the simple economics of electricity generation with no ongoing fuel cost are a financial gamechanger for family and business outcomes.

As the future of solar unfolds, our team is excited to look back at where we were in 2024 and how we guided our clients on their solar journeys during the election transition. Kokosing Solar and the solar industry have navigated decades worth of changing policy and will continue to meet the growing energy demands of the American people.

If you’ve been considering solar for your home or business, there’s no better time to act. By securing your solar installation now, you’ll maximize the financial benefits of the current tax credit and position yourself to enjoy long-term savings.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how solar can empower your home or business to take control of energy costs in 2025 and beyond.