The Edmonton study shows that snow only slightly affects the productivity of solar panels

EDMONTON – A five-year study conducted by the Alternative Energy Technologies Program of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) revealed that the impact of snowfall was reflected by a three percent loss of solar energy

Tim Matthews, technologist in charge According to the NAIT study, previous predictions predicted a 20% loss in energy production due to the accumulation of snow.

The study instead showed that the tilt of the solar panels has a greater impact than the amount of snow. According to Matthews, the accumulation of dirt and dust on the panels can further affect the production loss than the snow.

"We had no idea," says Matthews. Obviously, we overestimated dramatically.

The Snow Reference Study was launched in 2012 in collaboration with the City of Edmonton and the Solar Energy Society of Alberta. Twelve solar modules were installed on the roof of the Shaw Theater, on the NAIT campus, to measure the impact of the snow on the system and how the tilt of each panel affects the power generation. .

Matthews says that the actual loss of production, and the annual performance loss of three percent was the "worst case" recorded at the lowest tilt – 14 degrees. In Edmonton, he found that solar panels also perform better when they are facing south.

"The lower the slope, the more snow," says Matthews. "As we grew, there was less and less snow."

Matthews notes that 75% of Edmonton's solar energy production comes from the summer months – which makes the winter months less sunny

I am only talking about the 25%. 100 pie to start, says Matthews.

This means that snow removal from solar panels in the winter is simply not worth it.

Instead, the tilting of the panels determines the production result.

Matthews says that the angle of the solar panels should normally correspond to the latitude of the city, so the optimal angle of Edmonton would be about 53 degrees.

"We can not buy racking from this angle," says Matthews. "For our fixed system in Alberta, the non-variable inclination would be 45 degrees, because we can buy inexpensive racking to get there."

Even then, there are very few buildings in Edmonton that can accommodate a 45 degree angle. said Matthews.

Since solar panels are not doing well on steep roofs, in the shade or face north here in Edmonton, says Matthews, they are not always a practical solution, and when it 's bright, it' s not a good idea. is the economy, solar energy is still only an emerging industry in a dominant fossil fuel environment.

Yet, Matthews hopes that the study will help make renewable energy more accessible and feasible in the future.

"None of us expect energy prices to stay as low as they will be in 20 years". "As energy prices rise, solar panels become more and more viable."

Surprisingly, Albertans were very excited about solar energy, adds Matthews.

"You tell someone that he has a large commercial building and they want to carry forward some of their energy costs," says Matthews. "Solar is attractive, but will it work?"

Up to now, the results of the study have sparked growing interest among large construction companies, photovoltaic installers and even other institutions. Matthew notes that he gets anywhere between two to 20 surveys a week.

"Every little effort of learning and understanding goes a long way toward making it more convenient and acceptable," says Matthews. We believe that we have contributed.

The results of the study will be available to the general public on the NAIT Alternative Energy Program website in September.