PRODUCT NOTE
Solar Panel Maintenance for Snow Cover
How to Effectively Clear and Clean Your Solar Panel
© 2015 MicroPower Technologies, Inc.
Product Note: Solar Pan Maintenance for Snow Cover
Overview
Just as it is necessary to regularly clean your solar panels and check for debris, you also need to
make snow removal a priority. If you want your solar panel system to function and continue to reliably
produce power throughout the winter season, it’s critical to make sure your panels are free of all
obstructions.
To demonstrate how important a clear and clean panel is to the effectiveness of the system, we tested
a 15 Watt solar panel as follows:
The panels have 12 cells in two rows, making up a total of 24 cells. We measured the change in power
associated with covering/shading individual cells, and then a combination of cells. Here are the results:
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With
With
With
With
With
one cell covered, the power dropped by 50 percent.
two cells covered, the power dropped by 63 percent.
three cells covered, the power dropped by 84 percent.
four cells covered, the power dropped by 94 percent.
four adjacent cells covered, the power dropped to 0 percent.
As you can see, even a small covering of snow will have significant impact on your system’s power
output.
There are two methods of resolution:
1. Wait it out. Depending on your location to the equator, this is often the best method. We always
recommend installing the solar panels so that they face south directly, using the best “winter
performance angle” according to the Solar Electricity Handbook. For example, if you are in Buffalo,
N.Y., your panel should be angled at 32 degrees. (See below.) With a small amount of sunlight,
snow should melt off the panel very quickly at this angle. As we get closer to the equator, the panel
angle increases but the possibility of snow cover decreases. For example in Tucson, Ariz., the
panel angle increases to 43 degrees—but the average annual snowfall is only 0.3 inches.
The steep angle of the panel, combined with warmth
of the sun on the panel surface, almost always does
the trick. And remember, the MicroPower cameras
can operate for up to five full days in complete
darkness.
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Product Note: Solar Pan Maintenance for Snow Cover
2. Snow Removal Rake. For those areas where snow is so severe that longer-term build-up occurs,
physical maintenance is the only alternative. A snow removal rake should be sturdy enough to
remove snow but soft enough to avoid damaging the solar panels. This kind of device looks similar
to a broom but has a soft rubber head that acts as a squeegee. Many, such as the Sno Brum, can
also be attached to a telescopic mast, which eliminates the need to for ladders or bucket trucks.
This method should be used anytime there is snow build-up more than a couple of days.
In addition to these techniques, it’s also important to avoid putting rock salt, car wax or chemicals
of any kind on a snow-covered panel, as this could damage the panel and reduce effective
insolation. Finally, never use hot water on your cold panels or you could risk fracturing them.
This method should be used anytime there is snow build-up more than a couple of days.
In addition to these techniques, it’s also important to avoid putting rock salt, car wax or chemicals
of any kind on a snow-covered panel, as this could damage the panel and reduce effective
insolation. Finally, never use hot water on your cold panels or you could risk fracturing them.
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