Solar PV System One year review with some data

[ExtraSlow]

For any amount of snow cover, the amount generated is reduced to effectively zero until the snow is removed mechanically or it melt on it's own.

My comment from before about a high-angle or vertical installation is only applicable if your goal is max generation during the shortest and snowiest days of the year. That's not the way to generate the most total annual amount.

[JustinL]

I've been seeing more and more buildings with panels mounted vertically on the south facing wall. A condo tower roof usually has limited area vs. the number of units, but a south facing wall might be an option if it is not obstructed.

[riander5]

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Do you think sun magically gets through snow somehow?

Well it magically gets through clouds pal. Snow is like little ground clouds. Logic checks out

[tonytiger55]

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I've been seeing more and more buildings with panels mounted vertically on the south facing wall. A condo tower roof usually has limited area vs. the number of units, but a south facing wall might be an option if it is not obstructed.

Thats true. My unit is facing NNW, but I get a shit ton of sun in the afternoon. At 4/5pm it comes complety over (summer time).
The condo area has 6 buildings and 360 units. I just emailed one of the boardmembers to see if its possbile to have a discussion or have a basic feasability study.

[riander5]

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Thats true. My unit is facing NNW, but I get a shit ton of sun in the afternoon. At 4/5pm it comes complety over (summer time).
The condo area has 6 buildings and 360 units. I just emailed one of the boardmembers to see if its possbile to have a discussion or have a basic feasability study.

360 units. Good luck

[ExtraSlow]

Unless there's government money for this type of project, I don't see any condo board approving it.

[bjstare]

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I assume it is reduced. But I have no idea. That is why I am asking. Im not picking fights on this discussion.

I'm a sarcastic dickhead IRL, and certainly am not about to tone that down for internet shitposting purposes. Don't take it personally.

[spike98]

I would be interested to see if it would be profitable to use the grid to heat the panels for them to melt the snow in order to maximize the power generated. Snow events are usually short and spread out but because of the temperature the snow sticks around. I'm wondering if its worth the cost of the power to melt the snow after these events to make more power in between them.

[suntan]

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I'm a sarcastic dickhead IRL, and certainly am not about to tone that down for internet shitposting purposes. Don't take it personally.

That's my motto too.

[riander5]

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I would be interested to see if it would be profitable to use the grid to heat the panels for them to melt the snow in order to maximize the power generated. Snow events are usually short and spread out but because of the temperature the snow sticks around. I'm wondering if its worth the cost of the power to melt the snow after these events to make more power in between them.

Wrapping some heat trace around em and plugging in for an hour every snowfall wouldn't use a ton of juice

[spike98]

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Wrapping some heat trace around em and plugging in for an hour every snowfall wouldn't use a ton of juice

Thats what i am thinking however i haven't seen this built into any panels. Its probably either not economical or I am the first one to consider it. I am sure its not the latter so I would assume someone has done the math already.

[Xtrema]

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It isn't really feasible to clear the snow without some sort of climbing. It usually melts eventually too, so the cost benefit of risking my neck to make a couple extra watts just isn't worth it. I'm sure there are people out there who do it, but I've got a pretty busy house and would rather do just about anything than that job.

As a side note, thanks to the comments in this thread, I've signed up for fixed rate electricity at 9.3c. My payback period has gone up again, so I guess that's good?

Wonder if ceramic coating can help it clear?

[ThePenIsMightier]

I would think a compressed air system with a few tiny nozzles could be used without too much insanity. But perhaps it's in a portion of the year where the yields are low anyways.

[riander5]

What if you buy 3 cheap 110 flex hockey sticks, tape em together, and then tape a broom to the end. By my P.eng calculations, thats between 15-20 feet of reach

[suntan]

You can buy brushes with long handles that are meant for snow removal on solar panels.

You could even make an industry out of it. Just like when people used to go around and wake you up in the morning.

[Nufy]

Use the down draft from a drone...

[ExtraSlow]

use the tesla flamethrower.

[Xamim]

Solar panels warm up as they start producing, so you could just clear off a section and let them heat up on their own as well.

[zechs]

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Use the down draft from a drone...

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use the tesla flamethrower.

Gentlemen, I believe we have found the solution by combining these two ideas.

[g-m]

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I'm a sarcastic dickhead IRL, and certainly am not about to tone that down for internet shitposting purposes. Don't take it personally.

Sarcastic dickheads unite! I'm pretty sure it comes with the ring