wallfish 19,420 #551 Posted March 1 1 hour ago, Sparky said: This fall was a new roof, then 15 solar panels…and then a thick coating of snow that ceased all power production We have the technology to put a man on the moon but apparently there's a problem to add heat de-ice to solar panels to keep them clear. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,048 #552 Posted March 1 1 minute ago, wallfish said: We have the technology to put a man on the moon but apparently there's a problem to add heat de-ice to solar panels to keep them clear. The technology DOES exist. Not economically justifiable for many situations--melting 10” of snow off a panel would take more energy than the panel can generate in days. Mechanical stuff used very infrequently in widely varying conditions? Well we all know that story. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 19,420 #553 Posted March 1 (edited) 59 minutes ago, Handy Don said: The technology DOES exist. Not economically justifiable for many situations--melting 10” of snow off a panel would take more energy than the panel can generate in days. Mechanical stuff used very infrequently in widely varying conditions? Well we all know that story. I know it exists. Heat cords would work. We can put a man on the moon (50 years ago) but can't come up with a simple way to economically keep a solar panel clear of snow. Solar hot water heaters are supposed to work in the winter too so maybe incorporating something like that into them???? It only needs to be 35-40 degrees ?? to continue the melt A simple "swipe" type mechanism running with a low voltage gear motor wouldn't be to complicated and low on energy Edited March 1 by wallfish 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 8,798 #554 Posted March 14 We got a few more inches last night. I hope it will warm up and melt some in the next few days. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,537 #555 Posted March 14 3 minutes ago, cleat said: We got a few more inches last night. I hope it will warm up and melt some in the next few days. Same here. Mother Nature can be cruel! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 77,634 #557 Posted yesterday at 01:53 PM Brunswick Maine this morning. Quite a solid little snow clipper came through. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,821 #558 Posted yesterday at 03:23 PM 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: Brunswick Maine this morning. Quite a solid little snow clipper came through. num nums, maple syrup right? 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 77,634 #559 Posted yesterday at 03:27 PM 3 minutes ago, Racinbob said: num nums, maple syrup right? Absolutely! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 45,160 #560 Posted yesterday at 05:48 PM Seems a bit early for the sap to run. We seldom see buckets here in the PeeAaa. Mostly nylon tubing directly to a SST tank. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 77,634 #561 Posted yesterday at 06:03 PM 12 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: Seems a bit early for the sap to run. Our syrup season is anywhere from February first to late March. Here in Maine we have Maple Syrup Sunday. Third Sunday on March. Almost always still sap running but near the tail end. 12 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: We seldom see buckets here in the PeeAaa. Mostly nylon tubing directly to a SST tank. Same here. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 45,160 #562 Posted yesterday at 06:25 PM Our Pa. maple festival is held the last half of April in Meyersdale, Pa. This is my home town High School. We get the best sap run when we have cold nights (below 25*) and warm days (above 40*). https://www.pamaplefestival.com/ 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treepep 1,080 #563 Posted yesterday at 09:04 PM I am picking asparagus, parsley and broccoli is about there. Getting to warm for the lettuce despite the near freezing nights. Another few weeks for good peas n beets. does that count in a snow thread No thank you with the four letter word Keep at it guys 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,537 #564 Posted 10 hours ago 18 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Our syrup season is anywhere from February first to late March. Here in Maine we have Maple Syrup Sunday. Third Sunday on March. Almost always still sap running but near the tail end. Same here. Tomorrow is NH Maple Day. A local group taps all the town owned trees and donates the proceeds to 7 local charities. 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 8,798 #565 Posted 7 hours ago (edited) On 3/14/2026 at 6:19 PM, cleat said: We got a few more inches last night. I hope it will warm up and melt some in the next few days. Well, mother nature seems to still be mad at me. Instead of melting snow she is adding more. First day of spring. Edited 7 hours ago by cleat 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 55,448 #567 Posted 7 hours ago We got a melt going on here! Can't beat that spring sun. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 8,798 #568 Posted 6 hours ago It is supposed to go above freezing tomorrow afternoon for a couple of hours. I am waiting for the thaw. All my summer cars have been parked since Last October and I am itching to drive them. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 19,994 #569 Posted 1 hour ago it is too soon to even start seeds in the basement 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
