First year with solar and just had first snow storm. The snow is sticking to the panels like a glue trap and even brushing them off it does not want to slide/come off easily. For next year I want to wash and put some rain-x or something on them, anyone else have any better suggestions to help keep the snow from wanting to stick so badly?
Rain-X?
- Thread starter doox00
- Start date
Suijkerbuijk
I cannot be held responsible for this information.
No you can not
Solarpanels have a protection on it .
And rain x will damage it over time.
Best thing is to clean the panels and leave it.
Bluedog225
Solar Wizard
Dunno. I’d be willing to give it a shot with a test panel or three.
Though I’m not expecting snow in the next 10 years or so. Will report back.
Though I’m not expecting snow in the next 10 years or so. Will report back.
Vigo
Solar Wizard
Hmm... what about....
Does there exist some kind heating de-icing solutions?
I´d imagine gluing electrical heating pads to the underside of PVs have possibly negative side effects, like heat dissipation during summer? Though possibly most simple and effective solution.
Alternative.
A system that blows hot air under the panels. Or piped water based circulation.
I am not adept in solar world. Just asking if there are such systems on the market and if they are to consider. Of course, higher investment and some energy loss during de-icing. Just wonder purely technically possibility.
I´d imagine gluing electrical heating pads to the underside of PVs have possibly negative side effects, like heat dissipation during summer? Though possibly most simple and effective solution.
Alternative.
A system that blows hot air under the panels. Or piped water based circulation.
I am not adept in solar world. Just asking if there are such systems on the market and if they are to consider. Of course, higher investment and some energy loss during de-icing. Just wonder purely technically possibility.
Suijkerbuijk
I cannot be held responsible for this information.
I do not see a point to do so ?
In the winter the panels really do nothing.
The small charge that come from you gone use to heat them .
Its the same effect to set solarpanels in your house and use indoor light to charge your battery.
There was a thread a while back where it was postulated that you could back feed power to the PV to warm it up to clear the snow.
I've avoided using any coating or treatment on my panels. Mine are close to horizontal, so they accumulate a lot more snow than ones that are oriented for optimal solar collection.
I've avoided using any coating or treatment on my panels. Mine are close to horizontal, so they accumulate a lot more snow than ones that are oriented for optimal solar collection.
Yeah, all the panels at 60 degree angle are now cleared like you said, must have warmed up some, I have 10 that are at a 22 degree angle on a roof, they are still covered though. I ordered a brush with a 30' handle. Was hitting 15k out of 24k (30k with bifacial) total an hour or so ago, was at 500 watts earlier when it was sunny, that is when I walked out and saw several inches of snow on every panel lol.
Yup, search username jeephammer i think...
I am GOOD!
Snow on my panels is killing me
What do you do with the propane, and shovel? Rocksalt sounds like a good thing to throw on top after the snow is brushed off? Congratulations on your Retirement!!!!any plans besides upgrading your solar arrangement?
Radiant Floor Heat, Hot 'Water' (or anti-freeze) in tubes under the floor.
I just extended mine under the patio, with a couple of manual valves behind the front door.
I see snow, I turn on valves and go back to bed.
I wake up the snow is gone and I turn the valves off.
The snow shovel, ice melt stuff all stays buried in the garage where it belongs, not breaking...
He says "Same with meting off panels with battery bank, a few watts beats sweeping and scraping for hours in -5*F weather.I am GOOD!
Snow on my panels is killing me
What do you do with the propane, and shovel? Rocksalt sounds like a good thing to throw on top after the snow is brushed off? Congratulations on your Retirement!!!!
Radiant Floor Heat, Hot 'Water' (or anti-freeze) in tubes under the floor.
I just extended mine under the patio, with a couple of manual valves behind the front door.
I see snow, I turn on valves and go back to bed.
I wake up the snow is gone and I turn the valves off.
The snow shovel, ice melt stuff all stays buried in the garage where it belongs, not breaking...
I jump the charge controller with a circuit breaker in the jumper and let the panels melt off ice/snow with battery power.
Once you get a few charging, they will supply power to melt off the rest..."
I am not completely sure what this mean, he is charging with the grid? This will heat up the panels if you are charging batteries with the grid?
Iirc, he shorts the panel outputs together, or he feeds battery power to the panels.
Im in NC, so... no snow for me...
Im in NC, so... no snow for me...
SunDave
Solar Addict
In regards to snow. Steep angle. Not other fancy heating/cleaning solutions.
In regards to the comments that solar doesn't work in the winter anyways. That is not the case. I have been averaging 30kWh a day with this cloudy mess of a winter. 13kW of panels. Depends what your usage is. 30kW goes quite a ways for me. Laundry, lights, fans, computer, TV, space heater in the office, cooking. Not like I'm living in a cave.
At 55kWh so far today. Likely 65 by end of day.
In regards to the comments that solar doesn't work in the winter anyways. That is not the case. I have been averaging 30kWh a day with this cloudy mess of a winter. 13kW of panels. Depends what your usage is. 30kW goes quite a ways for me. Laundry, lights, fans, computer, TV, space heater in the office, cooking. Not like I'm living in a cave.
At 55kWh so far today. Likely 65 by end of day.
I agree, it works for me as well, on compete overcast days it obviously is not all that great but still get 1000-2000 watts consistently throughout the day. Had sun shining the other day for part of the day and was producing over 24k watts for a bit. It was sunny this morning and saw only like 400 watts being produced, so walked out to the back of the property where all the panels are and noticed they all had a couple inch layer of snow on them.
WorldwideDave
Solar Addict
What is this 'snow' of which you speak of? #SunshineTax #CaliforniaLuv
Planes are de-iced, no reason you can't de-ice your panels if you have an unlimited amount of cash $$$. Talk to your local airport for the equipment you will need.
Seriously, if you have a ground mount system you can remove snow with a backpack blower or a long snow removal pole. Roof mount, forget about it, just wait for sun.
Is there any actual data showing this long term Rain-X damage? Or a manufacture recommendation not to? Wondering what about this temporary polymer coating is bad since I've been using it on cars, helmets, goggles, etc. for decades. Mild solvents to disperse the silicon polymers, is that it?
BarracudaBob
Harvesting free photons from clean fusion
Really, only snow we have here comes over on boats. We call them Square Groupers
BarracudaBob
Harvesting free photons from clean fusion
Solar Glass Protection | Invisible Shield by Unelko
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