Snow Covered Solar Panels

The dark solar panels attract heat and help in melting the snow.

Snow covered solar panels.

Solar panels are usually installed at an angle which makes it easy for the snow to slide off. Unlike in the south minnesota s cooler temperatures keep the panels from overheating. A dusting of snow has little impact on solar panels because the wind can easily blow it off. Solar panels work well in cold weather but not as well if they are covered even partially by snow.

A minnesota couple s idea for keeping solar panels clear of snow is gaining traction after winning a 50 000 federal innovation prize. Most panels are tilted at an angle so snow will slide off on its own accord but that can take time. Solar panels need sunlight to produce power so if your solar panels are covered in snow they will not generate electricity. Your solar panels actually work better when it s cold than when it s warm.

The tilt of panels helps snow slide off but that doesn t always clean them. Pasi likens solar panels to a car s windshield they aren t heated but once the radiant heat catches a corner the rest of the snow comes down pretty quickly. But losing out on a day or so of production isn t worth risking your warranty or safety. It s a different story when heavy snow accumulates which prevents pv panels from generating power.

Sure when your panels are covered with snow they won t be able to produce solar energy. You can always consider. Like a lot of electronics solar systems have a negative temperature coefficient.