Observations of Ice at the Interface Between Snow Accumulations and Photovoltaic Panel Surfaces

Abstract

This paper presents the observation of ice formations under snow accumulations on photovoltaic (PV) panels. Five potential sources of moisture for icing were identified. An outdoor testing frame with panels was left to accumulate with snow and then manually cleared with a brush. Out of seven experimental observations, visible ice accumulations occurred five times, and the icing caused by two different sources of moisture was observed with certainty.