timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Oh, I'll probably be leaning on the grid in a few days. But I have batteries, so I might as well use them. That's what they're for.
My build thread
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timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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This was/ is a once in a decade storm, for my area.
So, it's a good test, or reality check.
I will be installing panel heating to melt snow and ice.
So, it's a good test, or reality check.
I will be installing panel heating to melt snow and ice.
I use ubiquiti/unifi stuff, except for a DC PoE switch that is powered directly off my battery. See my signature for what I use
The last few years have been mild here as well. Heard a deep dig by a meteorologist a while back who described how weather can cycle over time. Remember significant snowfalls during the 70's. This year is close in our part of the woods.
Time will tell if this is a trend or a once in a lifetime event I guess.
If we had snow regular enough I would try making up a panel or two worth of heating pads to see if it worked. But its hard to test something when it snows 2 times a year and you have no idea if it will actually stick even then
Its supposed to snow tuesday here but they can't decide if its 1 inch and less or 3 inches or more worth of snow. Too cold and I'm too old to attempt to rig up something in that time frame with low odds of even being able to test it...
I will have something rigged up for next year for sure if I can remember to do it when its warm weather.
Shame one can't save the heat LOL. On the other hand if one were to utilize geothermal concepts it might be intriguing if the warmth from below the frost line could be circulated via a low power pump either via fluid or air to gently warm the area under the panels. Perhaps a dream? If it worked, it would have the opposite effect in the summer by gently cooling the panels.
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
if the water table is near-by would be perfect - small low Wattage DC recirculator and some hose...simple enough in mild climates - no good for minus 40 regions...lol
I find in my area that snow removal is tough when the temps are close to freezing point, or just a bit below. Snow is wet, and sticks to the panels, temps drop overnight and make everything freeze to the panels - hard to remove.
Once it is nice and cold -18C/0F then the snow is dry and slides right off the PV. Last night was a good example, temps dropped to -21C -5F and it was a bit of wind, snow just blew away nothing on the panels this morning.
I find in my area that snow removal is tough when the temps are close to freezing point, or just a bit below. Snow is wet, and sticks to the panels, temps drop overnight and make everything freeze to the panels - hard to remove.
Once it is nice and cold -18C/0F then the snow is dry and slides right off the PV. Last night was a good example, temps dropped to -21C -5F and it was a bit of wind, snow just blew away nothing on the panels this morning.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Yeah, I already have a plan for it. I just haven't implemented it, because it's not going to get a lot of use. But these last two weeks have moved it higher on the priority list.If we had snow regular enough I would try making up a panel or two worth of heating pads to see if it worked. But its hard to test something when it snows 2 times a year and you have no idea if it will actually stick even then
Its supposed to snow tuesday here but they can't decide if its 1 inch and less or 3 inches or more worth of snow. Too cold and I'm too old to attempt to rig up something in that time frame with low odds of even being able to test it...
I will have something rigged up for next year for sure if I can remember to do it when its warm weather.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I have found the silver framed panels take much more to clear off. Black frames are much better. I've watched snow slide down the cells to the frames and refreeze.
The aluminum panel frames will suck heat big time.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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I haven't installed any of my black frames, yet. So I can't compare them.
But they will be at 60° , so they won't be a problem with snow, at all.
But they will be at 60° , so they won't be a problem with snow, at all.
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
seen that too, in just the right conditions, the damn silver frames cause an ice dam and everything else gets blocked from sliding behind it.
Should have bought the black frames - but at the time I thought "who cares what colour the frame are, this is going on a steel building roof anyway" - darn it all. Wish I had known. Heat trace the lower edge of the silver frames? put it on another smart plug !?
Brucey
Velcro Man
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
at the time I bought them, the silver were lower cost, and I didn't see any advantages.
Now I find myself wondering about painting the frames...Doh !!
Now I find myself wondering about painting the frames...Doh !!
Looking forward to your solution. Sounds interesting.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Just a ground mount, angled for winter production.
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Easy to reach, on the ground.FTFY !!
{yeah I know ya don't see much snow, just joking around}
For clearing, if necessary.
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
I've watched it slide down, hit the frame and the aluminum sucked the heat out of the water and there it stuck.
There weren't many black frame panels out there a few years ago. It doesn't matter much with the arrays tilted to over 60° but it can hurt production for a period depending on how cold it is. Usually though with an Alberta Clipper coming thru, snow is a little drier and then it turns cold. The heavy wet stuff usually has somewhat of a warmer trend after the snow due to southerly flow north. Thus it thaws quicker.
Where the trouble is when wet and heavy followed by light drier snow and cold temps. That is when I see other systems are covered for sometimes 2 weeks straight.
It might take quite a bit of heat to get there. Heat sinks are made of aluminum for a reason, they love heat and will radiate it out quite well as heat moves rapidly across the entire aluminum mass. Only thing better is copper. The sun is the best for heating and if panels are tilted for winter then it doesn't take much for the sun to start heating the panels and eventually the frames.
sunshine_eggo
Victron's little biatch
Have we established the black frames are not aluminum?
ricardocello
Watching and Learning
My new QCells BLK have black anodized aluminum frames.
I can’t imagine any other material being used.
sunshine_eggo
Victron's little biatch
That's my thinking. It's the hard anodize that makes the difference - providing a barrier to the heat transfer. Silver frames tend to be simply alodine or chem conversion, which is much thinner and does not act as a barrier to heat transfer.
A second benefit might be the black absorbing more heat from the sun IF the sun is shining.
I would love to see someone paint the bottom section of their silver frame black and see if it makes a difference.
NOT IT! (don't get enough snow)
ricardocello
Watching and Learning
That is an interesting idea. Painter’s tape, and black rustoleum. Tempting (my bifacials have silver frames)I would love to see someone paint the bottom section of their silver frame black and see if it makes a difference.
sunshine_eggo
Victron's little biatch
Black electrical tape if it will stick and hold...
Zwy
Emperor Of Solar
The black frames are aluminum but are black.
This thing called the sun shines on the black surface and heat is absorbed by the black aluminum frame. It works quite well in winter when the temps are lower than summer.
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