Sunday, October 28, 2012

Solar panels and snow - minimum power losses

Snow and solar cells are not always put together in the same equation but this however does not mean that photovoltaic panels are not worth the investment in the areas characterized by long winters and plenty of snow. They can still be worth of money.

The major negative side in the relation solar panel-snow is that the layer of snow can cause a solar-cell blackout for awhile therefore significantly affecting its total output, and reducing its efficiency.

However, there are not that many people who live in areas characterized by heavy snow for more than a few months, meaning that in most cases photovoltaic panels do not stay under the snow for a very long time, and therefore do not require frequent snow cleaning.

Joshua Pearce, a scientist at the Michigan Technological University, even claims that in some cases snow is even able to improve the efficiency of solar panels. This is the so called „albedo effect“, and it refers to situation when sunlight reflects back from snow. This reflected sunlight can make a panel generate even more electricity than in normal conditions. The albedo effect is the same reason why for instance skiers get sunburn on sunny winter days.

The team of U.S. scientists recently created a computer model that is able to predict how much power generation would be reduced in relation to various amounts of snow cover and on different types of solar modules mounted at different angles. Afterwards, they validated their computer model with data from many of Ontario's large commercial solar farms.

The conclusion of this research will no doubt surprise many people as power losses were in most cases minimal, even in Canada, country characterized by large amounts of snow throughout the year.

The researchers were also able to create a model that can be used to design the most efficient photovoltaic systems, regardless of the amount of snow is in the area. This model should be of great help to solar energy developers all over the world, and should in best case scenario spread the use of solar panels to remote, isolated areas with plenty of snowfall.

The idea that solar panels are ineffective during the winter months was proved to be inaccurate one. Even their electronics functions better in the cold than on very hot days so solar energy can be effectively harnessed even during the cold winter months, as long as there is sufficient amount of sunlight present in the area.

This study is yet another proof that solar energy industry is slowly but surely passing all the obstacles on the road to success. The prices of solar panels are constantly decreasing, solar power technologies are becoming more efficient, and solar panels are spreading all over the globe. The future is certainly looking good for solar energy industry as things have been lately definitely going in the right direction.

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