Solar Panels VS Birds, Dust and Snow - Keep Solar Panels Clean For Maximum Power Output
There are a few things that any solar panel owner gets "twichy" over.
If you have invested in an expensive grid tied solar array, there are few things that annoy you as much as seeing the meter showing low power output.
Solar panels work at maximum efficiency in strong light and as soon as anything cuts down the quality of light, their output falls.
After all, if you shelled out $20,000 or more for your solar system, even when government rebates are available, you want to maximize the electricity they produce to get a return on investment.
It is pretty obvious that cloudy weather will cut output from your panels, as will leaves, dust and bird droppings.
If you have a grid tied system, a 10% drop in productivity is a big deal over time.
That drop in power output adds up to lost dollars.
However, if you are out on the farm or on your bush block in the hills, it's less of a drama.
Living in the hills, your array is likely used to provide a few extra comforts such as lights, music and water pumping.
If the batteries don't charge today, they will tomorrow.
Living in the coutryside is a lifestyle choice, and you can sit back and enjoy the fresh air and enjoy nature and a quieter pace of life.
It is more about - "..
Oh, look a that eagle across the valley..
..
hey, you want a coffee, yeah OK...
".
In winter, cloudy skies can be more of an issue, and in the north or mountains, snow on the panels is something you need to plan for.
Solar panels operate perfectly well in northern climates, assuming your array has good exposure and a good number of sunny days spread over the rest of the year.
But the shorter days in the dead of winter, means fewer hours of daylight for the panels to do their thing.
Strangely, in the cold and when there is good winter light, photovoltaic panels actually work more efficiently.
This is the opposite to the problem where in very hot weather, there is power "heat fade".
When conditions are too hot, solar cells are less efficient and power output falls, but in winter, this is no longer a problem.
Also, in snowy conditions there is a great deal of reflective light which makes up somewhat for the lack of direct light.
So,in winter, if you live in the suburbs and have a grid-tied system, get yourself a snow rake and put a nice soft squeegee strip on the bottom so as not to risk damaging your expensive panels.
On a clear winter day once you have removed the bulk of the snow from the roof panels, they start to work.
As they do so, the heat they build up will actually melt away any residual snow and give them a free wash.
Otherwise, out on the block, keep the birds away and give the array a wipe over to remove dust.
For winter, maybe set up a frame where you can flip the array over to stop snow settling on the array surface, and later flip it back during the day or after snowfall to charge your batteries.
Oh - and make sure there's nobody needing target practice nearby.
If you have invested in an expensive grid tied solar array, there are few things that annoy you as much as seeing the meter showing low power output.
Solar panels work at maximum efficiency in strong light and as soon as anything cuts down the quality of light, their output falls.
After all, if you shelled out $20,000 or more for your solar system, even when government rebates are available, you want to maximize the electricity they produce to get a return on investment.
It is pretty obvious that cloudy weather will cut output from your panels, as will leaves, dust and bird droppings.
If you have a grid tied system, a 10% drop in productivity is a big deal over time.
That drop in power output adds up to lost dollars.
However, if you are out on the farm or on your bush block in the hills, it's less of a drama.
Living in the hills, your array is likely used to provide a few extra comforts such as lights, music and water pumping.
If the batteries don't charge today, they will tomorrow.
Living in the coutryside is a lifestyle choice, and you can sit back and enjoy the fresh air and enjoy nature and a quieter pace of life.
It is more about - "..
Oh, look a that eagle across the valley..
..
hey, you want a coffee, yeah OK...
".
In winter, cloudy skies can be more of an issue, and in the north or mountains, snow on the panels is something you need to plan for.
Solar panels operate perfectly well in northern climates, assuming your array has good exposure and a good number of sunny days spread over the rest of the year.
But the shorter days in the dead of winter, means fewer hours of daylight for the panels to do their thing.
Strangely, in the cold and when there is good winter light, photovoltaic panels actually work more efficiently.
This is the opposite to the problem where in very hot weather, there is power "heat fade".
When conditions are too hot, solar cells are less efficient and power output falls, but in winter, this is no longer a problem.
Also, in snowy conditions there is a great deal of reflective light which makes up somewhat for the lack of direct light.
So,in winter, if you live in the suburbs and have a grid-tied system, get yourself a snow rake and put a nice soft squeegee strip on the bottom so as not to risk damaging your expensive panels.
On a clear winter day once you have removed the bulk of the snow from the roof panels, they start to work.
As they do so, the heat they build up will actually melt away any residual snow and give them a free wash.
Otherwise, out on the block, keep the birds away and give the array a wipe over to remove dust.
For winter, maybe set up a frame where you can flip the array over to stop snow settling on the array surface, and later flip it back during the day or after snowfall to charge your batteries.
Oh - and make sure there's nobody needing target practice nearby.
Source...