Solar panels don’t work very well when they are covered with snow. Is there a feature that can thaw them? Has anyone given this any thought? 😕
Hello,
It is now well known that solar thermal systems are often not very cost-effective for private use! Therefore, using gas does not become significantly more advantageous 😉 The idea of covering an entire roof with solar thermal collectors certainly doesn’t make gas more attractive! 😀
The one-sided primary energy assessment of the energy saving ordinance with regard to heating operation leads to increased cooling loads (room temperatures) during the hot summer period. Unfortunately, gas heat generators offer no option for this!
Conclusion: Gas only becomes interesting if active or passive cooling during the hot summer period can be neglected! 😉
Best regards,
Erik_IEU schrieb:
..Why is only part of the flat roof covered with collectors? Is the area of the solar collectors sufficient (rule of thumb: 1 sq meter (11 sq ft) of collector area per 10 sq meters (108 sq ft) of living space) to optimally support, for example, the gas condensing boiler? Wouldn’t it be much better to cover the entire roof → for a uniform appearance and energy gain?
It is now well known that solar thermal systems are often not very cost-effective for private use! Therefore, using gas does not become significantly more advantageous 😉 The idea of covering an entire roof with solar thermal collectors certainly doesn’t make gas more attractive! 😀
Erik_IEU schrieb:When accounting for cooling loads in summer, this statement is rather incorrect!
... If the modules are roof-integrated, you also save the cost of a traditional roof covering!
The one-sided primary energy assessment of the energy saving ordinance with regard to heating operation leads to increased cooling loads (room temperatures) during the hot summer period. Unfortunately, gas heat generators offer no option for this!
Conclusion: Gas only becomes interesting if active or passive cooling during the hot summer period can be neglected! 😉
Best regards,
@ €uro:
Of course, solar thermal systems are not always cost-effective; it always depends on the individual case. The original poster had already decided regardless of economic viability and was only seeking advice about snow removal. The suggestion was simply to consider covering the entire roof, which could save on investment costs and improve the property's appearance. The reference to the gas heating system was only an example, as stated in my post. I did not say, “if you install enough solar panels on the roof, every heating system becomes profitable.” Every heating system must suit the specific house (as you probably know, gas remains the most practical heating method in existing buildings to date).
The comment about cooling loads is not really relevant in this context, as they are completely independent of the heating system! Cooling loads depend on the building’s construction and user behavior. Using insulation materials that enable phase shift—that is, extending the time between solar heat input and its penetration into the living space—such as wood-based materials or cellulose, reduces indoor temperatures and prevents potential cooling loads. → Keyword: Sustainable building.
By the way, it is now also possible to cool using solar systems through adsorption chillers.
Of course, solar thermal systems are not always cost-effective; it always depends on the individual case. The original poster had already decided regardless of economic viability and was only seeking advice about snow removal. The suggestion was simply to consider covering the entire roof, which could save on investment costs and improve the property's appearance. The reference to the gas heating system was only an example, as stated in my post. I did not say, “if you install enough solar panels on the roof, every heating system becomes profitable.” Every heating system must suit the specific house (as you probably know, gas remains the most practical heating method in existing buildings to date).
The comment about cooling loads is not really relevant in this context, as they are completely independent of the heating system! Cooling loads depend on the building’s construction and user behavior. Using insulation materials that enable phase shift—that is, extending the time between solar heat input and its penetration into the living space—such as wood-based materials or cellulose, reduces indoor temperatures and prevents potential cooling loads. → Keyword: Sustainable building.
By the way, it is now also possible to cool using solar systems through adsorption chillers.
Erik_IEU schrieb:
...
The reference to cooling loads in this context doesn’t really make sense, as they are completely independent of the heating system! There are systems that can both heat and cool 😉
Erik_IEU schrieb:
reduce temperatures and prevent possible cooling loads from occurring. –> Keyword: Sustainable building How many cooling loads have you actually calculated for newer buildings based on energy-saving regulations to make such a statement? The opposite is true—cooling loads are increasing!
Best regards
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