Hypothetical question
Hypothetical question
(OP)
The subject is snow/ice loading on a solar panel array sloping bete=ween 10 to 45 degrees to the horizontal...
It is a fact that solar panels produce power as well as heat during the power generation process. My question is if the panels will generate any hea=eat to melt a small snowfall 0 say 3 to 4" before it forme into ice. As the snow layer gets deeper, the heat generated would get less, also due to the cloud layer abo9ve. That's well and good. But when the clouds clear, and it is still bel;ow freezing with the sun shining, will the snow be memted more by the sun on the snow and sublimation, or by any improbable heat generated from the panels?
I doubt that there is any information on this, so I'm tempeted to coat these panels with an inch of ice as well as the 20 psf or so of snow by code here to be safe.
It is a fact that solar panels produce power as well as heat during the power generation process. My question is if the panels will generate any hea=eat to melt a small snowfall 0 say 3 to 4" before it forme into ice. As the snow layer gets deeper, the heat generated would get less, also due to the cloud layer abo9ve. That's well and good. But when the clouds clear, and it is still bel;ow freezing with the sun shining, will the snow be memted more by the sun on the snow and sublimation, or by any improbable heat generated from the panels?
I doubt that there is any information on this, so I'm tempeted to coat these panels with an inch of ice as well as the 20 psf or so of snow by code here to be safe.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com






RE: Hypothetical question
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RE: Hypothetical question
I found this publication, but there is no mention of icing anywhere. http://www.unirac.com/pdf/ii227.pdf
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Hypothetical question
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/134805-S...
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Hypothetical question
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RE: Hypothetical question
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RE: Hypothetical question
Snow load will be a lot more than that (25 psf here). I think what you are looking at are the ASD load combinations to be used with other loadings.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Hypothetical question
In recent years, we have had to deal with freezing rain and ice fog. Not the norm by any means for this region, but someting to consider. Prior to 10 years ago, I had never seen or heard of either phenomenon in the area.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Hypothetical question
BA
RE: Hypothetical question
I have also ALWAYS considered snow loads on the framing systems for the solar panels I have designed.
RE: Hypothetical question
RE: Hypothetical question
RE: Hypothetical question
If the slope is 70 degrees or better, you can assume all the snow slides off, but for most solar panel applications, that will not be the case.
And, yes, I'm looking at Ct = 1.2 with Cs = about .6.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Hypothetical question
So by your statement, I would assume that you reduced your Pg by the Cs factor of 0.6?
RE: Hypothetical question
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com