November 3, 2015 | By RGR Marketing Blog

How Solar Installers Can Prepare for Winter Storms

Buy Solar LeadsAs another winter approaches, our thoughts may naturally turn to snow and ice and other inclement weather. Depending on where we live, winter may bring rain, snow, freezing rain, or just colder sunny days, it you're lucky. Solar power is an excellent renewable energy source to power and heat homes, no matter how bad the weather gets outside. But how does winter weather affect the installation of solar systems in states where winter is a factor?

Generally speaking, solar is a great primary or complimentary power source regardless of the latitude and general weather pattern of any location. However, for those living in wintry climates, snow accumulation may pose a problem if not compensated for during installation.

Snow Problems Related to Solar Panels

Obviously, a snow-covered solar panel is not going to generate as much power as one that is exposed completely the suns rays. A solar panel covered with snow may generate some power, from whatever light can make it through the covering layer of snow. But this is hardly an ideal power generation scenario, nor one that a homeowner should be expected to tolerate.

Racking: When Snow Accumulates on Solar Panels

Unfortunately, direct snow accumulation is only part of the potential problem with solar power system installation in snowy climates. Snow racking, or the accumulation of snow at the base of panels, can also be an issue. Even if the panels are installed at a steep enough angle to slough off snow, if that snow accumulates at the base of the panels, it can in time cause the same problem by blocking the cells from the light.

Snow + Solar = Not All Bad News

Provided the solar panels are installed in such a way that they can be kept relatively free of snow, the surrounding snow can have a positive effect on power generation. Snow accumulation on the roof surface and surrounding landscape can help to reflect the sun’s light directly onto the solar panel’s surface, enhancing the ability for the panel to generate electricity.

Results May Vary With Solar in Harsh Winter Climate Areas

Snow can have some mitigating effects on the ability of a solar power system to generate electricity in areas where snow accumulation is an ongoing issue throughout the winter.

If a home is connected to the power grid, then dips or interruptions brought on by inclement weather do not pose a direct threat of power interruption. Most snow accumulation issues can be easily dealt with upon installation, and with occasional help from the homeowner themselves.

Indeed -- solar remains a viable power source, even for homes in areas that experience very snowy winters.

[Photo Via: Fireflower]

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