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.
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.”