Snow loading effect of PV Modules

[Janani]

Hi,

I am estimating generation for a region near Himalayas in India. as the location is prone to snow fall, pl let me know how to account loss due to snow loading on PV modules.

Should it be factored in soiling?..

Pl help.

Thank you

[fredericr]

Yes, losses due to snow should be added to the soiling losses.

[Janani]

ok. But it is seasonal.

Hence is there any PVsyst's recommendation on how much % loss to be considered for snow cover?

[fredericr]

You need to apply soiling on a monthly basis. It is not unusual to have 50% snow losses for peak winter months if you are in a snowy location and if your tilt is low.

There are a few studies available online that can help you estimate snow losses but it is very location and system dependent.

We operate projects in Canada and Japan and it’s always been a challenge to model snow losses. Thankfully winter months in snowy location are not high production to start with.

Check this from NREL https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/68705.pdf

This from DNV https://solarprofessional.com/modeling-losses-due-to-snowfall

[Janani]

Noted.

Kindly request PVsyst to include snow loading effect in energy estimation with the input of snowfall pattern and snow depth.

Thank You

[winothkanna]

You need to apply soiling on a monthly basis. It is not unusual to have 50% snow losses for peak winter months if you are in a snowy location and if your tilt is low.

There are a few studies available online that can help you estimate snow losses but it is very location and system dependent.

We operate projects in Canada and Japan and it’s always been a challenge to model snow losses. Thankfully winter months in snowy location are not high production to start with.

Check this from NREL https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/68705.pdf

This from DNV https://solarprofessional.com/modeling-losses-due-to-snowfall

 

Hi Fredericr, as you mentioned in the post that you operate projects in Canada. May i know how much snow loss you considered for HSAT.