Weather can change suddenly if you don’t live in the sunny Southwest. The polar vortex extends southwards to the point that Washington, D.C., has also experienced some deep chills. Solar photovoltaic panels (PVs) produce power in all four seasons, even though it might seem like solar power is only for summer. The SunShot Initiative is funding Regional Testing Centers to test solar panels in various climates. Researchers at the test centers have demonstrated that solar panels can generate electricity even in harsh environments such as snowy regions.
Solar panels are not affected by a light dusting of snow because the wind can easily blow them away. A sparse layer allows light to reach the summit and produce electricity. When heavy snowfalls, PV panels cannot generate power. Even if the snow is only slightly exposed, the PV panel can still generate power once the snow begins to slide.
Snowfalls can be problematic when they place stress on the support structure of a PV system. Today’s PV panels are mounted with frames that can cause localized stress at mounting points. Researchers at the Vermont Test Center are analyzing impacts, such as microcracks caused by the uneven load of snow. The photo shows that the lack of a frame makes it possible for the snow to slide. This research could make solar energy more economical in climates with colder temperatures.
It’s important to remember that, with or without frames on the PV modules, snow can help clean them as it melts. The same thing happens with a car’s windshield when the snow melts. This is because dirt on the window will stick to the snow and wash away with the melting of the snow. Snow’s anti-soiling qualities make solar panels more efficient and cleaner.
SunShot explores other ways to make PV panels more resistant to the winter elements through its support of the DuraMat Consortium led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. DuraMat researchers investigate how different materials used for packaging and mounting PV components perform under various climates. These studies will help new products that are more reliable and predictable but also cheaper find their way into mass production. DuraMat also investigates approaches to optimize frameless modules, making them more adaptable to outdoor conditions. DuraMat will test its newly developed materials at Regional Test Centers in order to assess their performance under a variety of real-world situations.
Even if there is a lot of snow, you can be confident that your solar panels will still generate electricity. The research done at the Regional Test Centers should help improve PV performance in the future