Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 3:11 pm
I've been away for a couple of days - wondering why my hoymiles panels, were reading literally 0
(clue - it's the hump on the roof)
(clue - it's the hump on the roof)
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Snowy panels
https://camelot-forum.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3586
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Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 3:18 pm
Yes it a pity you can't use the panels in reverse to melt the snow.
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:07 pm
This is a situation where the trace heater we were talking about on the other thread would clear the panels!
Hard to calculate the return on energy expended though...
Hard to calculate the return on energy expended though...
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:02 pm
If you can’t reach it any other way get a handful of table salt and lob it up there tomorrow- you only need to clear a small area to get the panel working and then it will clear itself. The melt water will wash the salt away. Or salted water in a squirty bottle as an alternative that’s got a bit more aim and reach.
Moxi
Moxi
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:33 pm
No salt is getting near my panels!! haha. I used to clear the panels religiously but can't be bothered unless I'm concerned about the weight. If the forecast is melty melty in a week or so I just let it be. Too many close calls up a ladder for my liking.Moxi wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:02 pm If you can’t reach it any other way get a handful of table salt and lob it up there tomorrow- you only need to clear a small area to get the panel working and then it will clear itself. The melt water will wash the salt away. Or salted water in a squirty bottle as an alternative that’s got a bit more aim and reach.
Moxi
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:39 pm
Being so close to the sea my panels don’t seem to get much snow staying on them for more than a few hours - warmer air and maybe some vestiges of wind blown salt spray ? After the last storm had gone through all the house windows needed a real good was to get the salt rhiem off them.
Moxi
Moxi
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:25 pm
Ha! That will teach me - just looked at weather forecast and we’ve got two nights at minus five and minus four - that will teach me 
Moxi
Moxi
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:27 pm
Garden leaf blower?
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:02 pm
Get a telescopic solar panel cleaning brush. Mine extends to 12m. Gets a little unwieldy, but clears the panels well.
Re: Snowy panels
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:26 pm
We do this but it's a 3 stage telescopic probably abut 12ft at full extension. I always enjoy getting into snow clearance off the panels.