Grantee Research Project Results
2017 Progress Report: 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 Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2016 through September 30,2017
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
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.
Description: Dust attachment, ice coating and snow accumulation are serious issues in the application of solar panels in higher altitude during winter. In this project, we are seeking for a robust, transparent, environment-friendly, low-cost and superhydrophobic protective coating solution on solar panel surfaces. Therefore, we are proposing this research with the intent of helping improve the sustainability of humankind and the planet. Since energy and how we are going to have enough for future generations is 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 surround 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 this 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 if they are not then the solar panel won’t produce electricity. 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.
Progress Summary:
This panel will successfully remove snow and water for the surface of the solar panel while still be transparent in the visible spectrum to allow the solar panel to operate properly. We will measure the hydrophobicity of the surface through its water contact angle, and test the anti-ice properties through contact angle hysteresis. We will also compare the energy output of the solar panel with our surface-functionalized heating panel to a control unaltered panel, to determine if the solar panel is operating properly.
Future Activities:
The strategies of phase II include testing more superhydrophobic surfaces, as well as long exposure to the solar panels. This will be done by the research group and with help by MorningStar Corporation, who has worked with the group this past year
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:
Renewable Energy and Environmental Research Laboratory Exit
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.