ᐅ Clearing snow from solar thermal systems. What solutions do you use?

Hi dear forum members!

I have a solar thermal system (standard flat collectors, not tubes) on my pitched roof that provides heat for domestic hot water. When thick snow covers the collectors in winter, it obviously stops working. Since I live in an area with heavy snowfall, this is a real issue. What solutions are available for this? Can I simply use a soft broom?

Contact your collector manufacturer to find out whether the system is equipped with, or can be equipped with, a defrosting function. The defrosting works by pumping warm buffer water into the collectors. Experience shows that about 5 minutes are sufficient to melt the snow; the water temperature in the buffer tank then drops by approximately 1°C (2°F).

There are now mechanical devices that remove snow from solar systems; these operate like automatic snow pushers. Such systems can be retrofitted. A soft broom may also work, but your safety should take priority over the solar system’s output. You would be climbing on a snow-covered roof.

Thanks for the tip about the "automatic snow pusher." In my case, it is much more affordable than the de-icing system the manufacturer tried to sell me.

This topic is becoming relevant again. There are different opinions regarding snow removal. I have now read that in case of a heavy snow cover and icing on the solar system, the operators take care of it. However, I do not know how they do this.

That depends on how thick the snow cover is and how long it has been there. So, a light snowfall is not a problem. Some roofing contractors here also handle this, and the operating company does not need to be called. However, it depends on the cost. It can become a major and expensive issue.

This is definitely a sensitive issue if it is not handled professionally. I would also commission the company that installed my solar panels for this task. They know their solar panels best.