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Post by Powderjockey on Dec 15, 2022 16:52:22 GMT -8
What do people do to remove the snow from their solar panels? I tried the broom method and feel off the ladder.  This year seems to be bringing more and more snow. Yuck. Is there a way to power something off of the panel itself? |
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Post by SDL on Dec 19, 2022 9:21:52 GMT -8
I've been thinking of putting a wiper system on ours. Won't burn much power. Heating will work too, but takes a LOT of power. Just when you don't have much.
BP
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Post by Jason on Dec 19, 2022 17:03:42 GMT -8
Relocation an option? 🤣
Thanks,
Jason
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Post by Powderjockey on Dec 19, 2022 18:46:12 GMT -8
Relocation an option? 🤣 Thanks, Jason Nope, note really. Crazy winter here so far. tons of snow which is abnormal. I probably have 15" on the level and 6-8" on the solar panel. I may take a leaf blower and give it a go. |
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Post by Jason on Dec 20, 2022 3:30:31 GMT -8
Yuck! Moved south 26 years ago and don’t miss that crap in the slightest. Leaf blower is a great idea. How high is the panel off the ground?
Thanks,
Jason
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n7qnm
Junior Member
Posts: 80 
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Post by n7qnm on Dec 24, 2022 16:02:17 GMT -8
I have 3 10 panel arrays, two are at a high enough pitch so that once the temp gets even a little above freezing the snow slides off pretty easily (which presents some other issues). The other is at a lower angle and so the snow stays a lot longer - I don't think it would take that much heat to do the job; but I'll admit I haven't done the math yet.
I'm working with a roofing company and considering playing with the same heat tape they use to prevent ice dams on roofs. I was just about to pull the trigger on a test installation and we got 6" of snow that has lasted the better part of a month. As soon as the snow melts, we'll probably give one array a try and will post here when I have something to report.
On a related note - we live in Eastern Washington, which is great for solar; but, in the summer (110 Deg F ambient air temp), I've seen the panel software (APSystems) report 70 degree C panel temps. Just for the heck of it, I went out and sprayed down the panels with a garden hose and got the temp to drop to 25-35 C and saw a 10-15% increase in power production which dropped off as the panels reheated. I'm wondering if a pipe with some misting nozzles might be a worthwhile investment, which I could do at the same time as a wildfire protection system.
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This year seems to be bringing more and more snow. Yuck. 
