Quick answer
Yes — solar PV generates year-round in the UK including winter. Generation is lower in winter (December typically produces 10-20% of June output) but daily output rarely falls to zero. Annual profile: roughly 60% generated in March-August, 40% in September-February. Snow accumulation is rarely significant in UK climate.
Full answer
UK solar yield by month for a typical south-facing 30° array: January 35 kWh/kWp, February 55, March 95, April 125, May 145, June 150, July 145, August 130, September 100, October 65, November 40, December 30 kWh/kWp. Annual total ~900-1,000 kWh/kWp depending on location.
Winter generation is constrained by three factors: shorter day length (December has ~8 hours daylight vs June's ~16), lower solar elevation (sun lower in sky means more atmosphere for light to pass through), and more frequent cloud cover. Average UK winter day still produces some generation; only deep overcast plus very low elevation produces near-zero output.
Snow accumulation on UK panels: usually minor. UK winters rarely produce sustained heavy snowfall in most of England and Wales. Where snow does fall, panel surfaces shed snow within 24-72 hours due to their smooth surface, dark color (high absorption), and tilted angle. Annual generation loss from snow is typically under 2%.
Cold weather actually improves panel efficiency — solar PV cells produce more output per unit of light at lower temperatures. A clear winter day at 5°C produces more output per hour of sunlight than a hot August day at 28°C. The annual yield difference comes from hours-of-sunlight, not panel efficiency.
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