Energy Loss in Solar Photovoltaic Systems Under Snowy Conditions

The objective of this study is to quantify the energy loss due to snow on solar photovoltaic systems. Solar photovoltaic systems in cold temperatures have an advantage over warmer regions due to improved efficiencies. However, colder regions generally receive a significant amount of snow, which may hinder the energy output of the photovoltaic systems. For this experimental research, a solar photovoltaic system was set up in Calgary, Canada to analyze and quantify the energy losses due to snow. This research demonstrates a 9% loss in energy yield per year due to snow accumulation in absence of bypass diodes.