Solar systems in winter

Solar panels don't work very well when there is snow on them.
Is there a function to defrost them?
Has anyone already thought about that :confused:

Hello,

Solar systems don’t work very well when there is snow on them. Is there a function to thaw them? Has anyone thought about that:confused:

If snow removal, then probably only mechanically.
The question strongly reminds me of stagnation prevention in solar thermal systems through cooling in the rain barrel or variants of shading.
One should always prepare energy and performance balances and compare the investment with the benefit.

Regards.

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

Coincidence, since I am just nearby. ;)

Yes, mechanically it is good only.....
We are planning a house with a shed roof, and on the larger half photovoltaic and vacuum tubes. Roof area completely occupied.

That would overall be a matter for specialist advice. Just this much: solar thermal systems are economically sensible in very few cases of private use (single-family house...German prefabricated house holding).
Why solar thermal systems are still frequently used is best known by the creator of the Energy Saving Ordinance or KfW certificate. In commercial use with continuous hot water consumption, on the other hand, it looks completely different. There, solar thermal systems also make economic sense. Here I come to about 30% utilization of the irradiated solar energy, while in the private sector, depending on use, about 6...7% are actually usable. Therefore, for private use it is not unreasonable to focus on photovoltaics. Here, the problems of thermal use of solar energy (thermal storage resistance) can largely be avoided.
The pitch of a shed roof is naturally lower than the optimal inclination angle for photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems. With full use of the projected base area, this inevitably leads to partial shading of the modules! So a sensible spacing regulation actually applies. In this respect, there would already be room for a mechanical solution. The simplest case would be: exit hatch and, if necessary, a broom in hand. A technical heating system will usually render the investment absurd (balancing).

Best regards.

That was really enlightening. Thank you. So it's better to combine photovoltaics with geothermal energy? Best regards Frank

...So you mean it's better to combine photovoltaics with geothermal energy?

I wouldn't interpret it that directly. I would consider it more closely, taking into account, for example, the hot water consumption behavior. Every construction project is individual and specific. The so-called and universally valid "ultimate solutions" definitely do not exist, although advertising often likes to present it that way. What is quite sensible and appropriate for one construction project leads to significant problems in another, usually at the expense of the builder's wallet. The same applies to the geothermal heat pump or brine heat pump system. As always and everywhere in life, there is a lot of light, but also a lot of shadow. Understanding problems begin right with the proof of the Energy Saving Ordinance. This has the sole public-law task of fulfilling primary energy objectives or requirements. The builder, on the other hand, has to pay for the actual final energy consumed! Information from Energy Saving Ordinance proofs and certificates have absolutely nothing to do with the actual energy consumption and are, for example, completely unsuitable for dimensioning a heat pump system.
Best regards

Hello!

Since you are still in the planning phase, you can constructively do something for the "snow removal":
- Choose modules without or with flat frames,
- Let modules overlap "shingle-like" and avoid edges.

With solar thermal collectors, you can usually conduct heat through the collectors to thaw the surface. So if you install them in the top row, you might possibly trigger an "avalanche" that also clears your photovoltaic panels. But do you want the avalanche then lying in the garden or – even better – in front of the door?

There are also technical solutions for photovoltaic modules that "heat up" the surface. Whether they recover the consumed electricity through the sun again is debatable – this also applies to the "heat conduction" through the ST.
But costs and benefits?

Why is only part of the flat roof covered with collectors, is the area of the solar collectors sufficient (rule of thumb 1 sqm collector area for 10 sqm living space) to optimally support, for example, the gas condensing boiler? Much better is to cover the whole roof -> uniform appearance + energy gain. If the modules are roof-integrated, you also save the costs for the classic roofing.
Regards