What Happens to Solar Panels When it Snows?

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 6 июн 2024
  • Go to www.audible.com/frugal or text 'frugal' to 500 500 to get your free 30 day trial
    You might be wondering how solar panels hold up in snow. They do an amazing job (I think) at warming up and letting that snow slide right off. One thing I didn't really expect was how shocking the avalanches are!
    FREE SOLAR QUOTES - I'm an affiliate and recommend these two:
    1) ProjectSolar (They don't have sales people. For DIY and regular install) Use this link for $100 off (or code FRUGAL) → geni.us/ProjectSolarQuotes
    2) Get Multiple Solar Quotes From DroneQuote (not DIY) → geni.us/BestSolarQuotes
    GET the FREE Beginner's Guide to Solar → frugalrepair.com/solar-guide/
    Behind the scenes → / frugalrepair
    Frugal Solar facebook page → / frugalsolar
    Tool Gifts I Recommend for Fixers → geni.us/toolgifts
    Recommended Tools & RUclips Equipment (incl FLIR thermal camera versions) → www.amazon.com/shop/frugalrepair
  • ХоббиХобби

Комментарии • 578

  • @FrugalRepair
    @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +3

    Go to www.audible.com/frugal or text 'frugal' to 500 500 to get your free 30 day trial

  • @decaprio7421
    @decaprio7421 3 года назад +118

    Imagine the neighbors, "He's Vlogging on the roof again!"

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +13

      Haha, I do wonder what they think.

    • @josephking6515
      @josephking6515 3 года назад +7

      @@FrugalRepair They think that you are up to snow good again. 😲

    • @ReditReel
      @ReditReel 2 года назад +2

      @@FrugalRepair they will think " oh my god, It is snowing and our neighbor still flexing with his roof '.

    • @lilsabin
      @lilsabin Год назад

      Eh ?

    • @Mr.Trezona
      @Mr.Trezona Год назад

      😂 bet there wondering if they can!

  • @jeffpurdy2347
    @jeffpurdy2347 3 года назад +140

    I’ve lived off grid for 25 years. The snow doesn’t come off my 45 degree modules because the temperatures in my neck of the woods never gets high enough to melt. I use a push broom on a extending pole to sweep them off. When you’re grid tied, a loss of production is no big deal. Off grid is a different game.

    • @randybobandy9828
      @randybobandy9828 3 года назад +4

      Do you ever wax your panels? Help snow slide off and water bead off.

    • @jeffpurdy2347
      @jeffpurdy2347 3 года назад +5

      I don’t even have to clean mine. We get enough rain to do that. Just the snow is an issue. Wax may limit sun on the modules a little.

    • @ThomasBomb45
      @ThomasBomb45 3 года назад +5

      @@jeffpurdy2347 might be worth testing wax on a single panel and see if output goes down

    • @jeffpurdy2347
      @jeffpurdy2347 3 года назад +10

      @@ThomasBomb45 , To be honest, sweeping them is no big deal. I check my system every few days anyway. Living off grid with solar and wood heat gets you more in tune with the weather.

    • @jeffpurdy2347
      @jeffpurdy2347 3 года назад +1

      @Chris Tombs , you might have missed the part about snow. It usually means cold too.

  • @Guust_Flater
    @Guust_Flater 3 года назад +126

    Another benefit of snow on your panels, is the cleaning effect. When the snow slides off, it cleans the panels!

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +11

      agreed

    • @Duracelbunny
      @Duracelbunny 3 года назад +2

      You clearly have no metal roofs (it is very common and more durable option here in Finland)

    • @Error2username
      @Error2username 3 года назад +2

      Yes, with all of the dirt scratching in between, see you in 10 yrs. Lets face it, were not there yet with the tec, atleast in the North.

    • @851995STARGATE
      @851995STARGATE 3 года назад +18

      @@Error2username have tons of people here in the northeast with panels since 2010-2012 no issues with scratching, it's not sand lmao

    • @wheels636
      @wheels636 3 года назад +2

      Here in Utah we had a huge mud storm that coated everything with a coat of mud earlyin 2021. I wondered how I could clean them up.
      It took 2 or 3 snow storms but the sliding snow cleaned all the muddy film right off.
      I don't see any scratches or anything detrimental.

  • @DishNetworkDealerNEO
    @DishNetworkDealerNEO 3 года назад +59

    On metal roof installations, they have snow breaker /shredder tabs to break up snow avalanches. Also I have seen Upside down V wooden structures placed over Air Conditioning units on the ground to keep them from being pummeled by snow avalanches. You might want a similar upside down V roof over your entrances to limit liability of postal and delivery services and visitors from being nailed by an avalanche, both human and car entrances for attached garages and also park cars away from known snow landing zones.

    • @juliaweber212
      @juliaweber212 3 года назад +1

      I agree

    • @bluegillmich
      @bluegillmich 2 года назад

      Exactly, they are on my to do list ( shredder type tabs) . Glad you shared it also.

    • @stevez9392
      @stevez9392 Год назад +1

      @@bluegillmich they break off

    • @stevenkurz8202
      @stevenkurz8202 Год назад

      That snow sucks to shovel after it falls and compacts itself

  • @noahfarmer9542
    @noahfarmer9542 9 месяцев назад +22

    This panel can put out close to 100 watts ruclips.net/user/postUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

  • @TampaTec
    @TampaTec 3 года назад +70

    Great video 👍. Be careful one day you'll be taking out the garbage then avalanche take you out. ❄️

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +5

      So funny! Thanks for watching!

    • @juliaweber212
      @juliaweber212 3 года назад +1

      I agree

    • @davidmccarthy6061
      @davidmccarthy6061 3 года назад +1

      Or it kills the unsuspecting delivery person.

    • @ronclark9724
      @ronclark9724 3 года назад +1

      @@davidmccarthy6061 The delivery person will quickly sue you for damages to everything the delivery person's lawyer can think of. Guaranteed!

    • @FJB2020
      @FJB2020 3 года назад +2

      I sure wouldn't be laughing.. A large enough chuck can kill you... That is why they make snow guards...

  • @scavengerspc
    @scavengerspc 3 года назад +56

    I use a winterizing grid on the panels at my lake house. They are powered by the panels themselves but only make just enough warmth to make snow melt once it lands.
    Uses VERY little power and only kicks on and off every few minutes. It's what the huge solar farms use in colder climates and why many arctic shelters can use solar.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +3

      That’s cool.

    • @neliosamch3195
      @neliosamch3195 3 года назад +2

      What is the name of the winterizing grid kit and what store have it? Thank you.

    • @scavengerspc
      @scavengerspc 3 года назад +2

      ​@@neliosamch3195 Google pv magazine heating solar panels to clear snow. Top result

    • @neliosamch3195
      @neliosamch3195 3 года назад +1

      @@scavengerspc Thank you. It didn't provide details for a DIY system.

    • @wd8557
      @wd8557 3 года назад +1

      You can simply buy a door heater wire zig zag it across the panels They use for walk in freezers door's so they don't freeze shut. Cheap easy to install problem solved.

  • @GaiaCarney
    @GaiaCarney 2 года назад +2

    Thanks, Frugal Repair 🕊 I’ve enjoyed your solar panel content, it’s awesome the panels work with snow on them ❄️

  • @FlurAhFlur
    @FlurAhFlur 10 месяцев назад +2

    Really enjoyed this video, thank you. Answered the question in the title perfectly and then some (thermal imaging was a nice touch). I'm noticing you do a great job of this in your videos

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  10 месяцев назад +1

      Thanks for watching and that encouragement!

  • @livinglegacy7
    @livinglegacy7 2 года назад +2

    Thank you for clearing this up!

  • @dariusdareme
    @dariusdareme 3 года назад +1

    Such a well produced and edited video about snow melting off of solar panels!

  • @ianpobanz12
    @ianpobanz12 3 года назад +7

    fantastic video!!! Definitely helped ease some of my worries about solar during the winter!!!

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +2

      Thanks! That’s great to hear.

  • @chasingdawn8635
    @chasingdawn8635 3 года назад +1

    I live in middle of nowhere Maine, and I want solar panels. This is just the push I need! Thanks for the video

  • @IrajMatthee
    @IrajMatthee 3 года назад +4

    I live in South Africa where snow is almost none existant. But what experts found is that the color of your roof for the types of climate you live in helps a lot. They say that in colder snowy conditions ensure the roof is a dark colour (ideally black) to absorb heat because most homes won't fill their roof with panels. Yet the build up of snow could still be there sitting on the roof causing a potential collapse. Back in South Africa we are encouraged to go for metal roofing systems which is smoother and to have it painted a lighter colour (ideally white) to reflect the heat and allow the solar panels to do the rest.

  • @UncleDruncles
    @UncleDruncles 2 года назад +4

    Great video! We have solar, doing the off-grid thing in Upstate NY with 16 panels at 270 watts each. They’re at at little steeper tilt than you’ve got there, 38° and they clear snow just fine as soon as the Sun appears regardless of quantity and we get a LOT!! Feet at a time most winters

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад +1

      Thanks for watching and your comment! That’s cool you are off grid with solar.

  • @kodeypatterson8973
    @kodeypatterson8973 3 года назад +9

    These are the types of videos that should be made about solar

  • @Crafty-doodles
    @Crafty-doodles 5 месяцев назад +2

    Hi. We live in NS, Canada and solar panels can break! We have one roof lower than the top roof with approximately an 8 foot drop. The snow from the top roof fell off to the bottom roof and one of the solar panel had many small cracks in it and was not working anymore. We recommend that you ask your solar panel company about snow guards for these situations or don't put solar panels on a lower roof where snow and ice can fall from a higher roof. Also, great idea to have a shelter for heat pumps/stairs as this snow/ice could cause injury or damage. Thanks for the video!

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  5 месяцев назад

      Thanks for watching! Sorry to hear about the one that got cracks in it.

  • @bigc1966
    @bigc1966 3 года назад +2

    I live in Central PA and that 17 inches of snow sucked. Glad that your setup wasn't damaged. Good video, keep them coming.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +1

      Thanks for watching! That’s cool you’re nearby. I think we might be past the snow season at this point. The first week of March has almost produced as much solar power as the whole month of December!

    • @bigc1966
      @bigc1966 3 года назад +2

      @@FrugalRepair yeah, do far March has been good. Suppose to be close to the 60's this week. Time to really make up for December 👍. I rent atm or I might have a small system to run a few things. Your system is very nice, glad it's working well for you.

    • @wd8557
      @wd8557 3 года назад

      You can simply buy a door heater wire zig zag it across the panels They use for walk in freezers door's so they don't freeze shut. Cheap easy to install problem solved.

  • @PaulaGrace
    @PaulaGrace 3 года назад +2

    Sooooo close to 100K!!!! Another Great video!! Keep em coming!

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +1

      Thanks! Yeah, I’m pretty pumped. Thank you so much for watching and your support!

  • @gregscott989
    @gregscott989 3 года назад +1

    Yeah...I live in a 3 story twin with attic in West Philadelphia. I have 18 panels...the most I could fit...on the flat portion of my roof. When I say flat, it has a 7 deg slope. It's enough.
    I have the Enphase app as well and I can watch the snow melt from the energy production on each panel. First one, then another as the snow slides off.
    Hey it's four flights up to the roof...the panels are black, give it a few hours, the sun will melt the snow. (Gotta love that Sun..:-))

  • @andrisromanovskis9363
    @andrisromanovskis9363 3 года назад +5

    Thanks, got your solar guide and found it very concise and straightforward! Keep up the frugal repairs flag!

  • @sgtcote1
    @sgtcote1 Год назад +1

    Thank you for answering a question I had as I research having panels installed on my home in Maine.

  • @benjaminlamey3591
    @benjaminlamey3591 3 года назад +15

    actually, when go more towards north, the roofs are more inclined and the snow falls off quicker. this is the reason for the inclination, save the roof from to much weight.
    and we need to say that solar panel are actually more efficient when the weather is cold.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +1

      Agreed. I was thinking of maybe going into some of the physics of why cold temps are better maybe in a future video.

    • @martijnvangammeren1868
      @martijnvangammeren1868 3 года назад +1

      When the panels are clean and the rest of the world is covered with snow they also produce a lot of energy during a bright sunny winters day.

    • @sweetmelon3365
      @sweetmelon3365 3 года назад

      why are they more efficient?

    • @benjaminlamey3591
      @benjaminlamey3591 3 года назад +3

      @@sweetmelon3365 physics. when the silicium is cold, there is statistically less chances that the generated electron gets catched by back by the atomic structure.

    • @MmeHyraelle
      @MmeHyraelle 2 года назад

      Yes! Many flat roof shops needs to be shoveled and even then, there are about 10 collapses each winter.

  • @AllenReinecke
    @AllenReinecke 3 года назад +1

    I live in PA and have just a 100W panel at ground level for my garage lighting. In winter (Sept thru March) it's angled at a steep 55.5 deg. Snow and ice still cling tight to it. I make a habit of checking and scraping it off every morning, when it's covered, to maintain some battery charging when the solar radiation is minimal.

    • @JohnSmith-pl2bk
      @JohnSmith-pl2bk 3 года назад +1

      You have only one small panel mounted separate from any other structure.
      Notice the roof under the large solar panels has no snow...some heat still there radiating up from the house and encouraging the snow to melt from the bottom up.....

  • @Themachinewon
    @Themachinewon 2 года назад +1

    Well, you have the perfect roof set up.. Un like the rest of us. My front set dumps on the front of the house at 45 degrees, the Upper strings sit at 15 degrees, if they are not cleared with a snow broom, that could cost me 2-3 days of power lose. It's good exercise to get out there with a 25ft painters pole and the 24" squeeze attachment. It works great and you will increase your power out put immediately. You don't have to go crazy either, if you clear the lower set of panels, the system will heat up quicker and the top will slide off mostly. 100% better to clear them, when you live in a full electric house, it helps.

  • @gocky503
    @gocky503 3 года назад +5

    Hey Reese! Thank you so much for making these solar panel videos. Ever since I was a young teen I have been interested in going solar. I was shocked to see in your other solar panel videos on how much solar panel technology has improved! Your videos, especially this one, has cleared out some of my concerns with solar panels for whenever we do eventually become homeowners and are allowed to install our own panels one day.
    I do not know the weather conditions in Pennsylvania, but what about states that can hail? I have read that some panels are sturdy enough these days, but I wanted to know from you and your thoughts on panels vs hail.
    Thanks!

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +2

      Thanks! In general, hail shouldn’t be an issue. But if you’re concerned I’d ask whomever your buying your panels from what the ratings are. And check your insurance if, worst case, one was damaged.

    • @gocky503
      @gocky503 3 года назад

      @@FrugalRepair Thanks!

  • @stephenhunter6507
    @stephenhunter6507 2 года назад +1

    Oh the ubiquitous split level ranch. Love it! That is the go to standard house of 1980s New England. Growing up in the Boston suburbs, 7/10 of my friends lived in that style house.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад

      Yep, it's popular here in PA too. But we are very thankful to have it!

  • @LordWillyGee
    @LordWillyGee 3 года назад

    Thank you, that answers one of my questions about solar in the winter. Yes, looking over the free PDF book about solar? I already thinking of the cost-plus pro/con of solar?

  • @LeonRamkumar
    @LeonRamkumar 3 года назад +3

    My father has a large array on his roof, and has zero concerns about snow as well. He does live in Durban, South Africa though.

  • @russbritt4100
    @russbritt4100 6 месяцев назад

    40 years off grid in north Idaho where we get 5 feet of snow. If you use a top of pole mount I do it can snow until there's 5-6 feet of snow on the ground before I need to do any shoveling. Panels are mounted 6 feet off the ground at set at a 65° angle so snow doesn't stick to them. This is how every solar off grid home I've seen is but I do live in snow country.

  • @anthonycoleman2888
    @anthonycoleman2888 3 года назад +45

    His roof is gonna last forever...... Or at least half of it.

    • @foreverprogaming2421
      @foreverprogaming2421 3 года назад

      How long half of forever?

    • @justward354
      @justward354 3 года назад

      @@foreverprogaming2421 forever

    • @kito1san
      @kito1san 3 года назад

      Yes and No. Material still deteriorate over time. Although not as fast, but still has a shelf life due to other variables.

  • @geckomaster5084
    @geckomaster5084 Год назад +2

    Very detailed and enjoyable video this is exactly what I was looking for 10/10

  • @apexyao8931
    @apexyao8931 3 года назад +12

    Short answer: the snow automatically slides off due to heat from sun.
    Long answer: watch the entire video.
    Thank me later

  • @lindafoxwood78
    @lindafoxwood78 Год назад +4

    Wonderful video! I self installed solar back in December 1999. Got Time-of-use from the power company, which gives me the lower priced when it is dark anyway. Batteries are the only problem I have had; put in $2500 2 years ago with LiFePO4 (lithium) for 4,000 watts storage and might last 10 years, a lot longer than normal batteries. My lights and computer never go down from a power outage since 1999. :)

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  Год назад +2

      Congratulations on your project! That’s great to hear.

  • @gemloverallday6389
    @gemloverallday6389 4 месяца назад

    Well, it snowed here on the East Coast, particularly in New jersey . All of the homes with solar panels are covered and snow, and their roofs are installed on a slope and still covered in ice and snow. When I live in Hawaii on a military base. The homes had solar panels, and even in Hawaii ,with all that sunshine, it took a long time for the water to heat up. Can you imagine what these people are going through now?

  • @CncObsession
    @CncObsession 3 года назад +1

    If you were grid intertied theoretically you could feed power into the panel and use it as a resistive heating element. In just a few minutes and most likely minimal power use, you could melt the contact layer and initiate the avalanche. Dacian Todea refers to using panels as heaters. Dont picture furnaces ;-)

  • @TheOz91
    @TheOz91 3 года назад +3

    Since you do live that far north, you won't have issues of your panels overheating. After all, photovoltaics start to lose efficiency the higher the temperature goes up, which can be an issue like in Malaysia (where I'm from) or you have an uncharacteristically hot summer. That being said, it's fun to think about cooling solutions for PV.
    Also, flat panels like these can actually produce energy from diffuse light, albeit not very much. I suspect that is the reason you get some power on a snow covered panel (and being cloudy again means too little light was there to convert any energy).
    Now, I haven't watched too many of your videos, but I'm curious on what numbers you get on cloudy days vs sunny days.

  • @redsquirrelftw
    @redsquirrelftw Год назад

    It must have been warm that day I can see the snow melting on all the roofs too. On my panels at similar angle it definitely does not melt like that at all. Worse is if we get wind driven snow it packs it hard and it's very hard to get it off with the brush. I re-tilted my panels so they're at around 45 degrees so will see if it's better this winter. What is surprising though is even with a couple feet of snow on my panels I still see a voltage reading. Don't get any significant current but it's getting enough light to register a voltage at least.

  • @ElGalIo2
    @ElGalIo2 3 года назад +1

    Thank you for the upload.... Looking to invest into a homestead and doing research on Solar..... appreciate all of your hard work... definitely subscribed and 🔔.

  • @MitchOfCanada
    @MitchOfCanada 3 года назад

    yup install a gazebo entrance diverter that is 4 feet out from the door across sidewalk that kicks snow to let and right of house. Also insurance can be void if you dont install proper mitigation for the avalaches that can happen or the ice build up that can fall etc.
    Maybe just install 1 line of heat trace on the bottom frame of the panels near the edge and it will allow the snow to cascade more easily.

  • @APatchworkCanvas
    @APatchworkCanvas 11 месяцев назад +1

    I live in PA also. I went with an offgrid system because the only way PP&L will allow grid connection is with their approved inverters. Those inverters give them remote control of your production.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  11 месяцев назад

      I haven’t heard of that. Do you have a link to that info? Do you mean they can throttle back you production remotely?

    • @APatchworkCanvas
      @APatchworkCanvas 11 месяцев назад

      @@FrugalRepair my comment keep’s disappearing

  • @sidd0123
    @sidd0123 3 года назад +4

    You can never go wrong with Brandon Sanderson. Highly recommend the Stormlight Archive when you get a chance.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад +2

      I’ve read most of his books but haven’t started on stormlight. Thanks for the recommendation! I’m waiting for wax and wayne book 4 to come out. Also, hope he does a sequel to the chalk lines book.

  • @mikef1570
    @mikef1570 Год назад +1

    I would also not worry if I were grid tie. Here I need every watt and the snow sometimes doesn’t melt off the panels for months. I installed a few dozen panels vertical. No snow sticks to them and when the ground is covered in snow it can reflect 125% max input sometimes.

  • @esquire9445
    @esquire9445 2 года назад +3

    I wonder if removing a bit of snow on the lowest part of the panel would help it heat up faster and cause a cascading melt. I’d like to see a test by removing a foot of snow off the lowest panel.

  • @alexmaclean1
    @alexmaclean1 Год назад

    We put a 18kw system in our roof and the at first we did not find the snow to slide off. I decided to try a spray on ceramic car protectant spray and found the snow started sliding off much earlier after the next snowfalls. No noticeable change in output. Lasts 6 months in a car, probably a year or more on a roof.

  • @Michael_Brock
    @Michael_Brock 10 месяцев назад +1

    One thing I would adjust is build a reverse v portico Infront of main door and maybe backdoor to shunt the dropping snow sideways to keep path(s) clear.
    Side benefits you can open door out of rain. Plus open/close umbrella out of rain. Last perhaps let wet umbrella drain of worst of water inside portico,and perhaps store, or put on mud boots.

  • @JesseStJohn-sv9dq
    @JesseStJohn-sv9dq 3 года назад +2

    Yeah it's fine when you get a few inches. I had solar panels for 6 years and I can tell if we got more than 4 inches I had to use a snow rack to clean it off. It did not slide off on it's own. For the record I live in upstate New York.

  • @darkweb8860
    @darkweb8860 3 года назад

    You can short the circuit or conduct the power back in the panels so they heat up and are snow free( low Power!!) . There are some devices already on the market for this scenario.

  • @moviezaftermidnight6348
    @moviezaftermidnight6348 3 года назад

    You could set your exhaust vents under the panels to melt the snow more efficiently.. Bathroom, Kitchen & Furnace exhaust vents can be utilized for this..

    • @JohnSmith-pl2bk
      @JohnSmith-pl2bk 3 года назад

      Be careful blowing moisture-laden air over the bottom of the panels...you could build up ice.....

  • @SPR8364-0
    @SPR8364-0 3 года назад

    I'm in Colorado and designed my roof with a steep 45° slope facing south. The snow usually rarely stays on for more than a few hours. I also don't have a front door under the snow sluff zone.

    • @wd8557
      @wd8557 3 года назад

      You can simply buy a door heater wire zig zag it across the panels They use for walk in freezers door's so they don't freeze shut. Cheap easy to install problem solved.

  • @rappnchris
    @rappnchris 2 года назад

    I live in Wisconsin, we get a Lot of snow and I use rain x water repellant so it Flys off without building up

  • @taylormills08
    @taylormills08 2 года назад +1

    Very well put together video!

  • @pete9688
    @pete9688 8 месяцев назад

    I live in the Midwest. We get a lot of snow at times. I’m not sure what I’d do without power during those outage days. I’m on the fence about getting some installed on my home. This is the only sticking point. I wish they made panels with a heating element integrated into the panels.

  • @jasonbrown467
    @jasonbrown467 2 года назад +1

    good video. i cant go days with zero input, i am off grid in nothern indiana. i ground mounted mine and plan to knock that snow off asap. if i was the uploaded i would get a taller ladder, and maybe extend the handle of a push broom, like he said in the video, you really just need to get the process started.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад +1

      Thanks! That’s cool you’ve setup an off grid system.

  • @regularpit1508
    @regularpit1508 3 года назад +1

    I'd make a big solar cleaning system but because we have burning hot days in summer and when pollen starts to get to the point of layering a car. It also gets dusty on occasion but here the winter is just cloudy and rainy all the time so we'd have a lot of issues with low production but we have a shed and barn that we use rarely so thats extra roof space and solar potential.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад

      Wouldn’t the rain take care of the majority of cleaning for you? I actually haven’t cleaned my panels yet (if you noticed the plastic is still on the squeegee) but I do hope to make a comparison video of before and after a cleaning. Good to hear you have extra roof space for solar.

  • @Cybele909
    @Cybele909 3 года назад

    Wow I really like your videos! Keep it up!

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад

      Thank you for watching and your comment!

  • @kevinerickson2595
    @kevinerickson2595 3 года назад

    I saw somewhere the other day they have heating and cooling inside the solar panels to make them thoroughly modulated protected more efficient

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад

      Interesting. A heating and cooling mechanism in the same panel?

  • @travelvideos
    @travelvideos 3 года назад +1

    I am experimenting on the latitude 56. Days are shorter but solar charging possible. Only when snow clouds traversing I notice big drop in output.

  • @followparallax3179
    @followparallax3179 2 года назад +1

    Great video, thanks.

  • @tomfrantz
    @tomfrantz 2 года назад +1

    So cool Reese. Great video. I was wondering what would happen. I bought a house in Oregon with 12 panels...

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад

      That’s great! Hope you enjoy the solar.

  • @meredithheath5272
    @meredithheath5272 Год назад +1

    Really good video!!

  • @efrainalvarez4615
    @efrainalvarez4615 2 года назад

    good and encouraging information!! Question who did you order your diy panel system? Thanks

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад

      Thanks! I put the system together myself. But if you want more suggestions then shoot me an email.

  • @samiabdelader9141
    @samiabdelader9141 2 года назад +1

    Thank you very informative

  • @andrewconway9073
    @andrewconway9073 2 года назад +1

    Shows some Cosmere content during the sponsored ad - a man of class and wisdom, clearly.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад +1

      LOL, glad you appreciated it! He’s a great author.

  • @wenpluto4282
    @wenpluto4282 3 года назад +1

    Great info!

  • @markhall249
    @markhall249 3 года назад +7

    You must be aware of what may or not be under the roof “slide off” area. We almost lost our lilac bush under this season’s melt avalanche.

  • @PopleBackyardFarm
    @PopleBackyardFarm 3 года назад

    stay safe out there

  • @bigpapa3708
    @bigpapa3708 3 года назад

    Good show my dude! What do you think about thermalvoltaic hybrid?

  • @jenniferw8963
    @jenniferw8963 3 года назад +5

    I'm more concerned about hail versus snow damage. Here where I live there are sometimes hailstorms that destroy roofing overnight.

    • @user-sh9sk1ic9y
      @user-sh9sk1ic9y Год назад

      Buy a good panel that covers hail damage the ones I’m getting are warrantied up to 200 mph winds also

  • @pillar350
    @pillar350 2 месяца назад

    I don’t understand I live in Pennsylvania as well, and in the winter time when the snow hits my solar panels, I have 25 of them. The temperature outside is still freezing even though the sun may be out, they don’t melt enough to slide off even at 45° angle.

  • @LMike2004
    @LMike2004 2 года назад

    I live near Buffalo. Snow and clouds for a week at a time. Also, I heard second hand that National Grid doesn't want
    people over producing and returning to the grid. If I was going to go through the time and expense I would WANT
    some overproduction to Interesting

  • @brownsrvlifecampground9322
    @brownsrvlifecampground9322 2 года назад +1

    You made a very helpful video

  • @Progmium
    @Progmium 10 месяцев назад +1

    Great video! Thanks!

  • @diyrenewableenergyelectron4996
    @diyrenewableenergyelectron4996 Год назад +1

    Something another RUclipsr pointed out was that the snow will pile up on the bottom row of panels if there’s too much roof below the bottom row. In other words, your snow can fall off the panels and off the roof because the panels are close enough to the edge to shed the snow off the roof.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  Год назад

      Yes, that is something to consider when choosing where to place your panels.

  • @Sackmatters
    @Sackmatters 3 года назад

    The only reason I don’t use solar here in Alaska. In my area I can get 3+ feet in a day and it’s sunny for 6 hours during December through February. I’d have nearly an unlimited input during the summer due to the sun rising at 5am and setting at midnight and it’s still light out through the night. Not to mention -30 with 80mph winds.

  • @allensterling2941
    @allensterling2941 2 года назад +2

    I just subscribed to your channel. I live in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania and will be purchasing a solar system before before October of 2022. Sure seems like there are a lot of shady companies out there. Any recommendations on which companies to give bids? PPL electric provides our electric services in NE PA. Thanks for your video because I was concerned over the snow building up on the solar panels in PA.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад

      Cool! You can email me (look on the about page) and I can give you more thoughts.

  • @gillart99
    @gillart99 2 года назад +1

    Thanks!

  • @nightmareinaction629
    @nightmareinaction629 Год назад +1

    Solar cells naturally heat up when power is applied to them. So if the diodes were not in places you could just backfeed panels to melt snow

  • @andrewkierstead4593
    @andrewkierstead4593 3 года назад

    you have very little snow compared to what we have here in New Brunswick Canada. The snow will stick to the solar panels here in New Brunswick as it doesn't warm up here like it does there

  • @Daniel-vx6uj
    @Daniel-vx6uj 2 года назад

    That's awesome. But you gotta watch the snow piling up at the end/bottom of your panels. It will start melting then freeze, and push up under your shingles. Then start leaking when it thaws. And Only when that happens. Every time I've seen that home owner didn't have a clue. That's why you see people with the ice/snow melters on their roofs. Easy fix get a piece of coil stock/ metal & run a strip under panel & have the other end lip down in your gutter/over drip edge.
    Or when you put a new roof on use ice&water sheld on the first 3 ft. I live in wv so I'm assuming your weather is worse than mine lol
    👍😊🍻✌

  • @SergioLopez-lo5rk
    @SergioLopez-lo5rk 2 года назад +1

    Gracias, excelente explicación y muy didáctico

  • @katvig1274
    @katvig1274 3 года назад

    thank you !!

  • @TheLegendryZelda
    @TheLegendryZelda 3 года назад +2

    You should get the heating thing for your sidewalk and drive through that way you’ll never have to shovel ever again then you’ll be set for life 😃

  • @plj2658
    @plj2658 Год назад

    Is it okay if I ask you for the daily solar power generation readings?
    I want to use it in my research for the same topic (Power generation and snow cover).
    I would appreciate your help.

  • @premsun
    @premsun 2 года назад +1

    Great video !

  • @MagentaRV
    @MagentaRV 3 года назад

    First thing, I'd certainly get a doghouse or guard over that doorway - I'd never want anyone to get clobbered by falling ice and snow there. Second, I'd probably make sure the panels extend to or slightly past the bottom of the roof-line and possibly even, given enough clearance, out over the walkway so I don't have to do any shoveling.

  • @sharfazhameed6382
    @sharfazhameed6382 3 года назад

    Wow great video

  • @SkepticCyclist
    @SkepticCyclist 3 года назад +1

    Unless you live in an area that gets over 300 inches a year and can get several feet over night alone, because 17 inches is just a little dusting in some areas.

    • @wd8557
      @wd8557 3 года назад

      You can simply buy a door heater wire zig zag it across the panels They use for walk in freezers door's so they don't freeze shut. Cheap easy to install problem solved.

  • @lberhold
    @lberhold 2 года назад

    If you put risers under the top of your panels making the slope of the solar panel array steeper than your roof there would also be less risk of snow block out.

  • @alancadorette3447
    @alancadorette3447 3 года назад

    i live in northeast ohio, and have solar for 10 years now. i bought snow rakes with styroform heads, with telescoping handles, reaches 28 feet. i clean off snow when its 8 inches deep, not all way ,just to get to see some black. i look at it as winter work out.

    • @JohnSmith-pl2bk
      @JohnSmith-pl2bk 3 года назад

      Good workout for an inventor...a non-damaging way to remove snow mechanically with the press of a button...motorised scraper leaving 1/2 inch layer on the panels to melt naturally..??

  • @mockingbird187
    @mockingbird187 9 месяцев назад

    2:20
    Reese: What you gonna do with all that mass?
    All that mass on those PVs?
    The Sun: I'ma make-make-make them clean.
    Make them clean, make them clean!

  • @eavdmeer
    @eavdmeer 3 года назад +1

    What's that camera you're using for thermal imaging? Looks very interesting

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад

      It’s a Flir thermal camera. It’s very handy and I use it for all kinds of things. There should be a link to it in the video description.

  • @jamespollock2500
    @jamespollock2500 3 года назад

    Illinios / Wiscosin border is 4.5 solar hrs a day annually. Had Sunpower install oct 2019 and have made 19500kwhr. a

  • @Moist_yet_Crispy
    @Moist_yet_Crispy 2 года назад +1

    Audible is amazing. Great video.

  • @MoonLiteNite
    @MoonLiteNite 3 года назад +1

    i live in texas and people say how it is too much work to clean the dust and dirt off the panels....
    10 years later, i have yet to clean mine haha day of rain cleans them all off.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад

      Agreed, I just checked the production on my panels and after two years it’s making 97-98% of factory ratings and I’ve not cleaned them yet.

  • @tvguide4khv
    @tvguide4khv Год назад

    Summer roof temp is also lower with panels... so it takes less energy to cool down rooms )

  • @kameljoe21
    @kameljoe21 3 года назад

    For roof mount and grid tied, I doubt that its worth cleaning them off. Now on the other hand when you have ground mount panels that are at a further angle I am sure as soon as the sun comes up with in an hour those panels would be cleaned off. If not a simple panel rake would work pretty quick.
    Depending on your area and how you designed your array a simple steps and catwalk would be enough to get on up to push said snow off. Also to clean the dirt off during long dry spells. Though research has shown that you only gain a few percentage from cleaner panels. Research has also shown that cooling your panels during the hottest part of the day can increase you yield for those 1 to 3 hours. So far I have not seen anyone who has a set up running to show this.
    In the end if you are off grid, clean them panels or devise some sort of system to help you do it very fast.
    As in your case a set of stairs and a catwalk on said roof would be ideal yet in the end the cost would out weigh your benefit. Though someone with 50kw array ground mount system that is off grid this would be very ideal.

  • @joemartino6976
    @joemartino6976 3 года назад +5

    Conversely, have you noticed a decline in your AC bills? I assume the umbrella effect over the entire south-facing portion of your roof, with an airspace in between, should significantly reduce the heat transfer into your living space.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  3 года назад

      We don’t have central AC so it’s hard to say. I did take thermal readings of our roof before solar so at some point I need to do a comparison.

    • @richardprice5978
      @richardprice5978 2 года назад +1

      @@FrugalRepair that would be something that im interest in knowledge wise

  • @timothybliven7485
    @timothybliven7485 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for the info, and Brandon Sanderson is awesome.

    • @FrugalRepair
      @FrugalRepair  2 года назад +1

      Thanks! You know WoT coming as a tv show this fall?