In an effort to reach net zero, scientists are looking for cost-effective ways to effectively preserve existing technologies. Especially in winter conditions and after snowfall, the efficiency of solar panels can decrease significantly. A research team has now announced that they have developed a method that can solve this problem.Simple method for cleaning snow accumulated on solar panels
Photovoltaic systems are prone to damage in harsh weather conditions; For example, in northern regions where there is a lot of snow, annual energy losses can reach up to 15 percent. But a group of researchers from the University of Toledo in the United States has developed a new coating called Snow-Free Solar that can passively clear snow from solar panels, allowing them to continue operating throughout the winter months.
The research team applied the coating they developed to the bottom protrusion of the panel and carried out tests in 150 solar power plants. According to what was stated, the snow was successfully melted without hindering the absorption of sunlight. Scientists emphasized that Snow-Free Solar is an easy-to-apply strip coating that does not cause any partial shadowing or hot spots on the panel and does not void the module warranty.Additionally, the strips can be easily used on both new and old solar panels. “Strip coatings are applied to the bottom edge of the panel, passively removing snow without requiring any energy to operate,” said Hossein Sojoudi, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Toledo. Working with industry partners, Dr. Sojoudi said he expects thousands of strip pavements to be installed across the U.S. by the end of 2023. Sojoudi estimates that they will reach a production rate of 1 million strip coatings by the end of 2024: “Our solution is a game-changing technology that can generate $150 million in additional revenue annually in states with heavy snowfall.”
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