Clearing snow from panels

Dave_Fowler

Last May I replaced a damaged panel on System 2. Having searched the usual sites for the cheapest local source - (to save delivery charges I wanted to pick it up myself) - I found someone who had one stored in their mother's garden. I drove over and checked the panel. Apart from snail trails and bird poo it seemed ok.

After a good washing I treated the surface with the windscreen treatment 'RainX', mainly to help rainwater run off quickly.

This morning all the panels were covered with 1cm of snow, but as the temperature rose above freezing the snow began to melt and suddenly all the snow on the new panel slid off. Now, even one hour later, the remaining panels are still covered in snow.

I'm considering getting up on the roof (single story) and treating the other panels as soon as the weather improves.

Dave F

fxlaw786

That's interesting. I'm just in the process of placing the order on my Zanussi system (waiting for feedback from this forum to see if it's a good deal) but I was also wondering the same thing this morning... 2 properties opposite my home in Surrey have snow + ice covering their panels and I was wondering if there is a good treatment I could suggest to the installers to use as they fit them.

I will look into RainX - thank you!

Dave_Fowler

fxlaw786 wrote: »

That's interesting. I'm just in the process of placing the order on my Zanussi system (waiting for feedback from this forum to see if it's a good deal) but I was also wondering the same thing this morning... 2 properties opposite my home in Surrey have snow + ice covering their panels and I was wondering if there is a good treatment I could suggest to the installers to use as they fit them.

I will look into RainX - thank you!

I've two PV systems. The one on the house roof was installed in 2010. The panels had a warning note on them saying do not touch the surface as they had been treated. These panels have remained bright and shiny. Those on the single-story garage, installed 2012, had no such warning and they appear to collect much more dust and markings. However it is only the panel I put on the windscreen treatment that has shed its snow covering.

@fxlaw786 I feel I am unable to help much with your quote as it is a long time since I was in the market looking at prices. For a 6kWp system, the price seems a little high, but you have very little time left to get more quotes. The DNO approval can take over a month to come through. If you have any shading issues, the optimisers will be of benefit, otherwise the additional power output from having each panel individually optimised is hardly worth the outlay.

Dave F

fxlaw786

Thank you for your input. Zanussi just called to say they will need an extra £1000 to install it as the job will take much longer to remove all my roof tiles, replace all battons and then install the system "in-roof".

I have a roof leak and need a new roof, so I guess I shouldn't complain... especially since time is running out.

I will definitely mention using RainX or a similar product.