Snow and solar.

[lostinthelight]

Physics being physics, I presume that there must be at least some heat generated within the panels (sort of similar to what bernard has suggested) - does that not help to melt the snow?

For the panel to produce heat would not the panel need to be producing power which it doesn't because it shielded by the snow?
I am fortunate to have my panels on a single story shed where they can be brushed or hosed off

 

[JohnW2]

For the panel to produce heat would not the panel need to be producing power which it doesn't because it shielded by the snow?

Yes, and that could obviously be a problem if a lot of snow falls fairly quickly. However, as has been said, snow, particularly in thin layers, is by no means a 'total light blocker'..

 

[ericmark]

Now back to full output, not much I can do about snow, but wait for it to melt.

 

[Murdochcat]

How does it affect the National grid?

I stated suspect the numbers are so small in the winter it’s not important at a national level

 

[JohnW2]

I stated suspect the numbers are so small in the winter it’s not important at a national level

Quite. I made that point at the start of this discussion. I would imagine that there are probably some UK Winter days when solar generation in the absence of snow is almost as low as it would be with snow.

 

[lostinthelight]

Last year my total output for November was 43Kwh, this November is on track to be less with many of the dull days only producing a few hundred Wh and 3.2Kwh on the brightest.

 

[ericmark]

Last year my total output for November was 43Kwh, this November is on track to be less with many of the dull days only producing a few hundred Wh and 3.2Kwh on the brightest.

Up to now this month in spite of snow 99.2 kWh (25.5 exported) last year November 190.1 kWh (19.1 exported) since this year also charging batteries off-peak and batteries double the size, I assume that is why higher export.

 

[lostinthelight]

Up to now this month in spite of snow 99.2 kWh (25.5 exported) last year November 190.1 kWh (19.1 exported) since this year also charging batteries off-peak and batteries double the size, I assume that is why higher export.

What size system have you got

 

[Murdochcat]

Bottom line is that nobody really knows how much PV there is in the UK

GB Fuel type power generation production

GridWatch | Live statistic of UK National Electricity grid by type of generation | Solar PV power Generation | Coal Stations output in Gigawatts | Wind Output Gigawatts | Nuclear energy output |Biomass power generation Output

gridwatch.co.uk

This month to date on our 4kw system it’s produced 53 kWh and November ‘23 it was 124 kwh

This year we’re consistently down on last year, which was down on the previous year

 

[ericmark]

14 panels and 5 kW inverter. It has got close to 5 kW but not that often. All on one roof, south/west facing.

 

[SUNRAY]

Bottom line is that nobody really knows how much PV there is in the UK

GB Fuel type power generation production

GridWatch | Live statistic of UK National Electricity grid by type of generation | Solar PV power Generation | Coal Stations output in Gigawatts | Wind Output Gigawatts | Nuclear energy output |Biomass power generation Output

gridwatch.co.uk

This month to date on our 4kw system it’s produced 53 kWh and November ‘23 it was 124 kwh

This year we’re consistently down on last year, which was down on the previous year

Noticed the pattern yet?
How long is the guarantee?

 

[lostinthelight]

Bottom line is that nobody really knows how much PV there is in the UK

GB Fuel type power generation production

GridWatch | Live statistic of UK National Electricity grid by type of generation | Solar PV power Generation | Coal Stations output in Gigawatts | Wind Output Gigawatts | Nuclear energy output |Biomass power generation Output

gridwatch.co.uk

This month to date on our 4kw system it’s produced 53 kWh and November ‘23 it was 124 kwh

This year we’re consistently down on last year, which was down on the previous year

Reduced output here too, I have 10 x 300 watt S West facing panels with 4KW inverter . Last year they produced 3000 Kwh but this year won't reach 2700Kwh.