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* electrically conductive optically transparent front retrofit of panel | * electrically conductive optically transparent front retrofit of panel | ||
* electrically conductive optically transparent front integrated panel (e.g. top layer of glass, in eva, etc.) | * electrically conductive optically transparent front integrated panel (e.g. top layer of glass, in eva, etc.) | ||
* external heater | |||
* | |||
==Potential Dispatch Strategies== | ==Potential Dispatch Strategies== | ||
Revision as of 02:40, 16 September 2015
This page is the basic outline for control strategies for removing snow from PV modules in northern climates using a heating mechanism to melt the snow. Why is this a problem? See Effects of snow on photovoltaic performance and Impact of Snow and Ground Interference on Photovoltaic Electric System Performance
Potential Inputs
Sensor inputs for determining snow cover
- temperature
- snow depth via sensor
- optical occlusion
- optical reflection from modules
- force sensor
- module image
- off-site weather data/ past and/or predicted
- reduced PV output as compared to heated (always on) pyranometer
- IR sensing
Potential Outputs
Electrical resistive heating using one of the following methods:
- heat strips on back of panel
- heat strips on edges of panel
- electrically conductive optically transparent front retrofit of panel
- electrically conductive optically transparent front integrated panel (e.g. top layer of glass, in eva, etc.)
- external heater
Potential Dispatch Strategies
- always on
- manual on/off
- on every morning, or other set amount of days
- melt while snowing
- melt every snow fall
- melt on predetermined time -- dynamic so changes during snow season based on historical data or current weather trends
- melt on predetermined depth or weight of snow or optical occlusion
- change as a function of time, temperature, output, solar flux