Given the position of the sun during the winter, the sun's rays do not hit the surface of the solar panel at an optimal angle which affects the electricity production negatively. However, Solar panels in Sweden do have an undeserved bad reputation! Especially since the panels do produce electricity even in cloudy weather and given that they actually produce better in cool weather. The fact is, electricity production is expected to decrease with approx. 0,4% for every degree Celsius above 25 degrees.
Solar panels can, to some extent, still produce electricity even under a thin layer of snow. However, it is important to mount the solar panels at an appropriate angle so that the snow can slide off on its own. This would facilitate the service of the panels and create the best power production.
Long days with a swedish "lagom" (just right) temperature, makes the Swedish spring- and summer months optimal for producting solar power. With the right angle of the mounted panels, they will produce electricity even in the winter.
The "energy payback" is approximately 2 years in Sweden. This means that it takes 2-3 years to generate the corresponding amount of energy that have been used to produce, transport and operate the solar panels.
Every seller of solar panels in the Swedish market has a producer responsibility which serves as a guarantee for the panels being properly recycled. The WEEE directive regulates the recycling of electric products, including solar panels. This can often be done at the municipal recycling stations and is in line with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
The most common type of solar panels are the Monocrystalline or the Polycrystalline Solar cells, but there is also the thin film solar cells. The biggest difference between them is regarding the appearance, efficiency and price. It is very important that every system's layout is customized to the most important factors of the specific property.