With winter already at the doorstep and a lot of areas covered by snow, one may argue how effective solar panels would be during this time of the year. Solar panels do not only work during the heat of summer but produce electricity throughout the year, even on snowy days. Actually, solar panels might even do better during cold weather. In the following article, we'll be looking at how much snow affects solar panels, while explaining why they are a good investment, even in those areas that receive snow annually.
For most people, one could almost unconsciously say no in regard to cognitive power. The fact, however, is that solar panels function well throughout the year. The core functionality of a solar panel-that of converting sunlight into electrical energy-is basically unrelated to air temperature. So long as the panels get plenty of sunlight, they will continue to produce electricity.
However, temperature has an influence on the performance of photovoltaic panels. This means, that if the photovoltaic panels get hotter than 25°C or 77°F, depending on the brand of solar panel, solar panels may not act efficiently in generating electricity. The same way when your smartphones become unresponsive or sometimes automatically shut down at high temperatures.
Unlike smartphones, however, solar panels do not stop working or become damaged due to high temperatures; they simply produce less power compared to if they are placed in cold weather conditions. Thus, the weather that provides for efficient use of solar panels would have to be described as sunny and cold.
It is significant to note that, even in the northern part of the U.S., the harsh winters typically only last a few months, capping the period in which solar panels are subjected to insufficient sunlight and snow covering. Also, the farther away you go from the equator, the longer the summer sunshine will last. So, while on certain days in winter, a solar panel may produce somewhat less power, the duration of sunlight during summer compensates for this.
The snow hardly affects the solar panels because the blowing wind can easily sweep it away from the panels. This allows sunlight to pass through the sparse part of the snow cover, scattering on the panels and thus producing electricity. When the snow is heavy enough to cover the panels, it may block the PV modules from receiving sunlight and affecting their electrical output. But once the snow begins to melt or slide off partially, so that part of the panel is uncovered, the panel can again start generating electricity.
Heavy snow can weigh down the structure of solar panels, particularly if the deposition of snow is uneven. Most modern solar panels come with frames that can concentrate stress locally at the installation point. Researchers at the Vermont test center found that uneven snow loads could create microcracks. By contrast, "with a frameless design, the snow just more readily slips off," and lowers this risk. All may be good news in advancing the economics of cold climates solar energy.
No matter whether the solar panels were framed or not, "on the net, snow does tend to clean the modules better," because the melting of snow picks up dirt. Just like on car windshields: once snow melts and the glass is clean, the snow runs off neatly, without leaving any mark. That is because any kind of dirt merges with the snow, which melts upon contact with the sun, getting washed away. This very self-cleaning property of snow plays a part in keeping solar panels clean and increasing their efficiency of power generation.
In addition to that, most of the solar panels are installed at an angle and this also facilitates natural sliding of the snow. In case if the snow is not sliding off soon enough, then you can always assist the process by using a snow rake designed for solar panels or other special snow removal tools that would not scratch the panels.
It is important to note that solar panels are designed to withstand specific weights, such as snow and ice loads, which generally do not exceed the weight that panels can bear. All the solar panels go through severe stress testing for durability and dependability. The various panels have different pressure resistances, and the panels with high-pressure resistance become more adaptable to heavy snow loads.
Nothing lasts forever; you need to cherish taking care of it for it to work for you. Winter solar panel maintenance is very important to ensur that they can still operate efficiently in cold and snowy conditions. Here is a list of winter solar panel maintenance tips:
Panel surface: Check for physical damages on the panels, such as cracks or debris that may be caused by hail, tree branches, or any other factor.
Cleaning the panels: snow and dust on panels can be cleared by brushing them off with a soft brush or a special solar panel cleaning tool. It is important not to spray high-pressure water guns due to possible panel damage.
Cleaning Frequency: The frequency of cleaning should be determined by the rate of snow accumulation and the extent of panel contamination. More frequent cleaning may be necessary during winter periods.
Adjust the angle of tilt: Adjust the tilt angle if possible to allow snow to slide off the panels easily.
Employ a snow removal system: It is highly recommended to have an automated snow removal system installed, like a heating coil or vibration system that reduces the need for much human intervention.
Check the strength of the stand: The stand needs to be able to handle the additional weight it is subjected to in winter.
Check fixings: Check all fixings, screws, and bolts for proper tightening and no rusting.
Performance Monitoring: A solar monitoring system should be utilized in monitoring the generation and performance of the panels so that problems can be dealt with as soon as they are detected.
Fault Alarms: The monitoring system should be able to generate fault alarms in good time, especially during bad weather conditions.
Solar panels can perform better during winter than most people expect. Feel free to install solar panels if you can understand how much money solar panels will save and help you become independent in terms of energy use. You will not feel torn about whether to install the solar panels or not. Winter is also the best time to buy solar energy; the sale price is discounted. If you are thinking, "May it be worth coming to consult with us"; we provide you with a free program! We have a free program for you.
