Any ideas for removing snow from panels?

[wayner92]

Anyone have any good ideas for removing snow from their panels? All that I have come up with is using a step ladder and broom. Or if the snow is light and fluffy then maybe flying a drone over them at a low height will do the job - but this is a high risk option, at least for the drone. Anyone have any other ideas?

[lugnut123]

how about a warm water hose

[wayner92]

Great idea, although I wonder if the water would freeze on the panels on colder days. But ice on the panels would be better than snow.

I guess an air compress might work as well if the snow is fairly light.

[SunEagle]

There are a number of people in the Forum that have numerous ways to clean snow off their panels. Unfortunately not all are as safe as you would like. Most depend on how high the panels are mounted or how steep the roof is.

Hang in there and hopefully some of the more experienced "cleaners" will provide you with their suggestions.

[organic farmer]

RainEx

Garden hoses get stiff and brittle in winter. Mine are kept indoors right now. I could string a hose out to my panels, but within a few minutes the hoses would be stiff, and unable to roll-up again. Hot water would help the hose to be flexible, but as soon as the water flow stops, best be fast in bringing the hose back inside again.

Anywhere you spray water, it will run-off short distance and re-freeze, think through any use of water in winter.

I have 4 foot long icicles hanging from my roof eaves right now.

[wayner92]

Thanks - my panels are mainly on a relatively shallow roof that is accessible from my deck as you can see from this photo I took from my drone. The panels on the left are not accessible but the ones on the right should be easily accessibly from a step ladder from the deck - at least the lowest row would be.

[Alchete]

I would think the best option (aside from drone dive-bombing or renting a helicopter) would be to use the equivalent of an extendable "roof rake" but with a rubber or cloth rake edge.

Are your panels not shedding the snow on their own?

[SunEagle]

Thanks - my panels are mainly on a relatively shallow roof that is accessible from my deck as you can see from this photo I took from my drone. The panels on the left are not accessible but the ones on the right should be easily accessibly from a step ladder from the deck - at least the lowest row would be.

Nice layout of your panels. I would be concerned with a large amount of snow building up on the array to the right. With over 3 vertical panels that is a lot of area and could produce a significant "snow slide" if it all broke loose at the same time.

On a side note. I also fly RC planes. Have you registered your drone yet?

[bcroe]

There are a few ideas on my thread SUN HOURS in the last year. Some ideas work, some don't. Vibrating it off is in the future testing.
Bruce Roe

[emartin00]

I would think the best option (aside from drone dive-bombing or renting a helicopter) would be to use the equivalent of an extendable "roof rake" but with a rubber or cloth rake edge.

Are your panels not shedding the snow on their own?

I would agree. A roof rake and add a strip of durable foam to the edge to prevent it from scratching.
Most of the snow should melt and fall off on its own within a few days of sun exposure. Even with the snow, some light makes it through to the panels (unless it's a lot of snow).

Water is definitely a BAD idea. The water will just refreeze and lead to ice dams.

[J.P.M.]

There are a few ideas on my thread SUN HOURS in the last year. Some ideas work, some don't. Vibrating it off is in the future testing.
Bruce Roe

I'd suggest everyone in snow country read what Bruce writes with respect to snow removal. There's a lot to learn that the vendors don't mention or maybe know about. Learn from Bruce or learn the hard way.