2 ms·
PV panels are typically angled to catch the sun better, and they're smooth and dark... snow slides off by itself if the sun is shining (and if the sun isn't sh
by blacksmith_tb 1y ago
PV panels are typically angled to catch the sun better, and they're smooth and dark... snow slides off by itself if the sun is shining (and if the sun isn't shining, you aren't losing much by having the panels covered).
- buckle8017 1y agoSnow only rolls off after a lite dusting. If there's a foot of snow on the panels they don't catch any sun, don't get warm, and it doesn't melt off. More than about 3 inches needs to be manually cleared.
- analog31 1y agoI wonder if you could just run them backwards for a while to clear them. Use the V*I loss.
- buckle8017 1y agoThe energy it takes to do that is significant. Often exceeding the energy gained in the winter.
- analog31 1y agoI'm thinking if the sun can warm the panels enough for a thin layer of ice to slide off, then it can't take that much more energy to make a thick layer slide off.
- bongodongobob 1y agoIt does. Even at 0F, you'll see snow melting on the roofs in winter.