Snow-covering effects on the power output of solar photovoltaic arrays

Technical Report · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5232456· OSTI ID:5232456

Brench, B. L.

In general, snow covering a photovoltaic panel causes negligible energy loss when the snow is light and melts easily; however, a more serious loss can occur when the snow is heavy and does not quickly melt or shed. In order to examine the effects of snow cover on the output energy available from photovoltaic modules, a small-scale snow-shedding experiment was conducted during the winter of 1978-79 at the Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. This site was chosen since it was the planned location for a 100-kWp flat-plate photovoltaic power system. Daily array power output and weather measurements were recorded by a data logger, and time-lapse photographs were taken of the array. The analysis of this data and conclusions concerning the dependence of power loss on type of snow, weather conditions, and panel angle are discussed.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Lexington (USA). Lincoln Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76ET20279
• OSTI ID: 5232456
• Report Number(s): COO--4094-61
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
COVERINGS
DATA
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY LOSSES
EQUIPMENT
FIELD TESTS
INCLINATION
INFORMATION
INSOLATION
LOSSES
MELTING
NORTH AMERICA
PERFORMANCE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER SUPPLIES
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SHADING
SNOW
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
USA
UTAH