Anyone got good ideas re how to remove snow from solar panels. AK
I have the same problem. My panels are currently hard mounted to the roof , at too low of an angle for winter sun. But, I did make hinges on the bottoms to allow them to be titled up with some small modifications to the upper brackets. I found a large satellite dish at the dump, which has about a 3' long linear positioner. I also found an old rotor antenna motor. I'm thinking of combining the two to make an electric pusher that I can use to jack up the high side of the panels (the bottoms are on large hinges). The control on the rotor is perfect for this, since it rotates very slowly, and stops relative to the position of the dial. I plan on adding some limit switches. I am guessing that it will have enough torque to operate the satellite linear positioner which has a gear on one end moving a long rod back and forth. I'm hoping that I'll be able to jack up the panels to maximum tilt periodically to dump the snow off of my two 4'x6' panels. I'll use the positioner to make periodic seasonal adjustments to tilt angle. The other thought that occurred to me was to make some kind of a linear wiper. But, I have not thought this out very carefully and do not know what parts might be necessary.
Well when you depend on them for power to your home, you mount them on the ground where they are easy to reach with a broom. Jake
I roof mounted my panels for two reasons. First, that is where the best sun was. Anyplace on the ground was subject to shading because of nearby 100' tall trees. Second, this is my second home that I am not present at for many months of the year. It would be easier for somebody to walk off with ground mounted panels than roof mounted. So, the broom trick does not work for me.
