Snow & Ice Buildup On Solar Panels

Mike, I was thinking of the same thing for my satellite antennas, my solar panels might benefit also

BUT WD40 is NOT silicone based and due to its extremely volitle vehicle (the solvent. I will no longer keep it in my inventory. This stuff will pretty much instantly destroy the finish on most petroleum based proucts (Plastics) It is a water displacing penetrant designed for Naval vessels. Read it carefully and it warns of ignition sources, in the past I used it for starting fluid!

Silicone based products SAY silicone on them, that would be my first choice for my satellite antennas and posibly automotive wax like a carnuba product.

In considering the solar panels sensitivity to dirt I would try  Rain-X because of its clarity on car windshields It probably will not have a negative effect on the panels ability to produce power and be less likely to attract dirt as a liquid product might.

Just some things to consider, hopefully other have had some success stories as I am just getting my feet wet in this field.   

Or get your wife to climb up on the roof and wipe the snow from the panels.

(I'm kidding, I'm kidding!)

John
 

As the sun warms my roof and panels, the snow does indeed fall off.  In the winter I adjust the tilt (angle) of my panels to about 51 degrees which also helps.  Some pictures can be found on my blog:

 http://solarjohn.blogspot.com

John