ChildrenAreOurDoom t1_ivf58tr wrote
Reply to comment by alexanderpas in Rooftop solar trumps all fossil fuels as renewables smash more records on main grid [Australia] by EnergyTransitionNews
There are climate regions in the US that, while still possible, have less benefit than Australia. places with heavy snow or lots of rain/overcast.
Hell, i'm in a GOOD area for solar, and still doesnt make sense for me to get panels because my roof is covered by trees almost all the day.
Which is a benefit of its own, as it keeps my cooling costs low in the summer.
Masark t1_ivfm07z wrote
Snow doesn't actually affect solar that much. At latitudes where snow is significant, the panels will be tilted enough that the snow largely just falls off.
https://www.nait.ca/nait/about/newsroom/2018/solar-panels-shine-despite-winters-blast-nait-st
ChildrenAreOurDoom t1_ivfoamr wrote
i've head that before, but my aunt has to go out with a broom and brush the snow off her tilted panels after heavy storms.
alexanderpas t1_ivfwlnl wrote
> after heavy storms.
Which means that regular snow doesn't affect the panels that much.
It's only after heavy storms that you want to clear the panels, which is no different than the clearing of the roof you would need to do anyways.
Adventurous_Ad4950 t1_ivgjyrx wrote
There should be better maintenance systems for domestic PVs. Not everyone has the ability to climb on the roof and clear snow every time there’s a heavy storm (and hello climate degradation). Hiring a service to do it for you is not in everyone’s budget either.
Ok_Dependent1131 t1_ivfuhbj wrote
Yup. But cooling costs could be zero after a few years when the ROI of the panels and batteries is worked down.
ChildrenAreOurDoom t1_ivg0ufv wrote
It makes no sense for me to cut down trees that provide me with a lot of cooling benefit, hurt the ability of the planet to absorb air pollution, hut the ability of the ground to absorb storm water, hurt the planet for the production, shipping, and resource extraction to make the panels and batteries, and to make my property look barren, just so i can use generated energy for cooling.
Ok_Dependent1131 t1_ivgjkpt wrote
I mean, I have trees around my house but I wouldn’t have to fell them completely to get sun to hit my roof. It’s not all or nothing. Also people can put solar panels on the ground too but city living makes that tougher
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