Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Snow Removal for Northern Solar Panel Operation
EPA Grant Number: SU836763Title: Snow Removal for Northern Solar Panel Operation
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: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
This research addresses the issues involved with solar energy in regions with large amounts of snowfall and creates a product by which to automatically remove snow from the surface of solar panels. Dust attachment, ice coating, and snow accumulation are serious issues in the application of solar panels in higher altitudes during winter. In this project, we seek a robust, transparent, environment-friendly, low-cost and superhydrophobic protective coating solution on solar panel surfaces. Therefore, we propose this research with the intent of helping improve the sustainability of humankind and the planet. Since energy and how to efficiently use the energy are becoming more and more of a hot topic in the world, our research will assist in making energy production more environmentally friendly and efficient. This research, if applied to Hamline University and the surrounding community, could make our community greener and leave less of an environmental impact. By applying this research, Hamline will be able to operate the solar panels on the roof of Anderson Student Center year-round which could increase the amount of energy produce from over 2.5% of Anderson's use to 5%. The community would benefit from this because it would allow the option of installing solar panels on individual houses without the worry of making sure they are clear of snow during the entire winter because the solar panel won't produce electricity otherwise. This extra effort needed reduces the number of people who buy and use solar panels, which in turn means that more fossil fuels are being used to power our lives.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
This panel can remove snow and water from the surface of the solar panel while still transparent in the visible spectrum to allow the solar panel to operate properly. We measure the hydrophobicity of the surface through its water contact angle and test the anti-ice properties through contact angle hysteresis.
Conclusions:
The findings of this research have allowed for more possibilities in the upcoming years. More research can be done into the superhydrophobic surfaces, as well as more data with snow removal. Comparing data from year to year will allow for the research team to see if prolonged exposure affects the power output of the solar panels. An important aspect to track would be how long a solar panel would last before adding another coat of superhydrophobic solution.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Solar energy, photovoltaic technology, green chemistry, cost benefit assessment, sustainable infrastructure design, holistic design, environmental educationRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.