[RE-wrenches] De-icing panels off grid

[Howie Michaelson]

Todd,
In general that had been my philosophy, but sometimes pole mounts are just
logistically to difficult/ expensive  - especially large ones.  In general,
if it is a windy location, the snow doesn't stick around that long.
However, even pole mounts at a steep angle can get encrusted and if it
doesn't get warm enough or sunny, that can stick on the panels for a week
or more.  I've never considered anything like heat panels or tape, but if
there is something that works that doesn't harm the panels, then it might
be a decent option in some cases.
Howie

On Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 5:15 PM Todd Cory via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Passive works best. In big snow country here, I learned the hard way to
> only do pole mounts... and set the angle steep in the winter. The snow
> slides off and all is fine.
>
> Todd
>
>
>
>
> On Thursday, December 5, 2024 1:01pm, "Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches" <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> said:
>
> https://glasscareexperts.com/solar-glass-protection/
> I’ve never tried it but just heard about these people. From the bio they
> are the original makers of rain X, but they customized a product, several
> of them, to clean Pv panels and they also mentioned it can help to shed
> rain and snow.
> By the way, Rainx is not  approved for such an application.
>
> *Kirk Herander / **kirkh at vermont.solar <kirkh at vermont.solar>*
>
> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC*
>
> *Celebrating our 33st Anniversary 1991-2024!!*
>
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> 802.559.1225
>
> On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 2:19 PM Howie Michaelson via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Has anyone successfully used heat panels or cables to melt iced-over
>> panels (ie. without damaging the panels)? In heavy snow country, or over
>> periods of freeze/thaw when pelty slushy snow sticks and freezes to panels,
>> it would be nice to have a safe method of clearing them, especially
>> off-grid.  I remember discussions of the futility of backfeeding panels to
>> heat them up to accomplish the same, but not about heat tape or pans that
>> might be worth trying.
>> Thanks,
>> Howie Michaelson
>> Sun Catcher
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