Grantee Research Project Results
Snow Removal for Northern Solar Panel Operation
EPA Grant Number: SU836763Title: Snow Removal for Northern Solar Panel Operation
Investigators: Dong, Lifeng
Current Investigators: Dong, Lifeng , Sherren, Amy , Duncan, Austin , Engen, Ela , Niemann, Jacob , Culp, Ray , Rice, Seth
Institution: Hamline University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 (Extended to September 30, 2018)
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2016) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality
Description:
Improve solar panel efficiency in snowy regions by developing a product that automatically removes snow from solar panel surfaces.
Objective:
This research will address the issues involved with solar energy in regions with large amounts of snowfall and create a product by which to automatically remove snow from the surface of solar panels.
Approach:
A superhydrophobic film will be attached to the face of the solar panel. The hydrophobicity of the surface through its water contact angle will be measured, and the anti-ice properties through contact angle hysteresis will be tested. The energy output of the solar panel with a surface-functionalized film will be compared to a control unaltered panel to determine if the solar panel is operating properly.
Expected Results:
This panel will successfully remove snow and water from the surface of the solar panel while still being transparent in the visible spectrum to allow the solar panel to operate properly.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 7 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Solar Energy, Photovoltaic Technology, Solar Thermal Heating, Green Chemistry, Cost Benefit Assessment, Sustainable Infrastructure Design, Holistic Design, Environmental Education;Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.