keeping rain and snow off panels

[piper]

HI!

I live in Ontario Canada, this time of year there is frequent snow and sometimes freezing rain. I am wondering if there is something, anything, a product of some sort even that I can apply to my panels to help even some of the snow slide off. Maybe a silly question, but im thinking outside the box, rather than driving out to my cabin to check on the place and have to sweep the panels off everytime.?? ideas???

[John J.]

piper; Greetings, my set-up is at camp and I adjust the angle maybe twice a year on 2 sets that seems to help out. The other sets are on a frame mounted to suzans with something of a permanent angle - they tend to collect more snow and it melts slower. Other then that I have a snow brush with an extendable handle. Even when I'm there I wait until the storm is over before chewing time to brush them off. I don't believe there is anything else out there or something else that can be done that would be worth the time, effort, and fuel you'd need to burn for a few extra Ah. Aside from, maybe the $$ into a good bank while your waiting for the snow to stop.

edit to add - and then there's the leaves,

[Sunny Solar]

My only suggestion would be to see if there is something available at an auto accessories store to clear windscreens.?

[green]

Back when I was into fishtanks, there was this stuff called "Aquarium Polish". You would spray it on and buff the glass. It was to fill microscopic scratches. It made the glass really smooth and slippery making it easier to keep clean. That might do the trick for you. It doesn't go on very thick so I don't think it would degrade performance at all.

[Naptown]

RainX?

[piper]

RainX?

My initial thought was rain x as well...I wasnt sure if this could have any impact on the performance of the panel.

I also like the idea of a steeper panel in the winter to prevent the snow from building. Again, that would probably reduce the performance of the panel wouldnt it?

Thanks for all the ideas, if someone else has another idea, feel free to post it!

[Naptown]

If you can adjust the tilt of the panel it will help if steeper in winter. Particularly if there is a snow field in front of the collector.