Solar plus the snow

• Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States are working to measure the results of bountiful snowfall on PV systems as well as to identify affordable methods to alleviate energy losses as well as integrity problems triggered by snow and ice.

Solar is gradually however undoubtedly making its method even more from the equator.

While technical renovations and also raised approval have driven solar's press into colder climates, a lot of obstacles stay to running a PV system in such atmospheres. Not the very least among them is taking care of snowfall: keeping panels clear and able to absorb sunshine, guaranteeing the weight of snowfall does not create permanent damages and numerous other concerns.

With snowy regions new ground for solar, little information is available to aid system operators choose. To try to fix that, nuclear weapons organisation Sandia National Laboratories has begun its Snow as a Factor in Photovoltaic Performance as well as Reliability project to evaluate the effects of snow on PV systems, performing field research at four U.S. websites.

Obstacle as well as possibility

A paper composed as part of the project keeps in mind that thanks to extremely high albedo, snow presents a chance as well as an obstacle to solar, particularly in systems including bifacial modules. That paper, Performance of Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules on a Dual-Axis Tracker in a High-Latitude, High-Albedo Environment, released in the Proceedings of the IEEE PVSC-46 Conference, takes a look at 2 years of performance data from experimental systems including bifacial components on dual-axis trackers in Vermont.

The information reveal bifacial modules produced 14% even more power than single-sided ones, on top of an estimated 35-40% boost supplied by the dual-axis. During top winter season, bifacial modules carried out as high as 40% much better than single-sided panels. The outcomes also revealed a 41% increase in power return for bifacial-plus-dual-axis tracker units, contrasted to bifacial fixed-tilt choices.

The study also suggests a substantial return gain from dual-axis tracking thanks to the sun's low angle in northern latitudes. The trackers, nevertheless, are thought also costly in the majority of settings and also the analysis did not consider economic elements.

The research likewise discovered reduced temperatures in the region enhanced system operating effectiveness. A little boosted temperature level - thanks to rear-side irradiance and also the high tilt angle as well as use frameless modules - aided with snow shedding.

" Our work recommends there is an under-recognized possibility to release bifacial dual-axis tracking systems in regions of the globe that see abundant snow in wintertime as well as are additionally experiencing significant growth in PV ability," wrapped up the paper. "It is also noteworthy that snow-covered terrain - unlike fabricated substrates - adds no extra price to a project and also is continuously freshened throughout the winter season, thus keeping a high albedo for five to six months a year."