master of sparks said:
Is it realistic to expect the homeowner to "rake" off their solar collector after snowfalls?
Yes. Most folks around here own roof rakes, and rake their roof anyway, so why not rake the panel while they're at it?
steam man said:
I have also looked at somehow adjusting the angle of the panels for different seasons but the risk of panel damage and complexity for a large array along with the cost leads me to believe it would be easier just to add extra panel area for summer use with a larger tilt angle for winter. Certainly I should have the summer covered.
If you look at the pictures of how the frames work, back on the first page of the thread, it's pretty easy to just un-bolt the brace and re-bolt it at a different angle (provided that you design your braces slightly different from the ones shown in that picture, so the angle-iron doesn't interfere with the panel.
master of sparks said:
Another suggested some of those windshield waxes to help the snow slide off the tubes.
I like that idea, although it would probably want to be done after installation, to avoid dropping tubes while handling them...
master of sparks said:
I'm still researching longevity issues with evac tubes. I have talked with longtime solar installers in Colorado, New Mexico, and North Carolina recently, trying to get a feel for tube reliability. I'm still researching, but all three tell me tube replacement is a real consideration.
What brand tubes are they using? I've never heard of a failed Thermomax tube (except the one that the freight company broke). I had (at the time) two suppliers for the tubes, and they were both scratching their heads on how to get me a single tube, because they had literally never had to ship out a replacement tube before. One had to replace a whole box of ten tubes that got rolled-over by a truck, but never any for repair use. I ran into a similar problem when I first started carrying these things, and I wanted a single tube to use as a demonstration model for home shows and the like.
I always tell my customers that, if a tube ever breaks due to natural causes (except not something like a tree falling on the house, which would break anything, flat-plate or evacuated), I'll replace it free of charge. I don't expect to ever need to honor that warranty.
Joe, at the next RPA get together just start asking the members that specialize in solar for their experience with tubes. I'm sure they will share brand, % of failures, location and pictures if you would like. I'm not here to flame manufacturers in a public forum. The data is real, and it's out there. Or ask the people that make evac tubes, they should give an honest answer, they have the numbers as they send out the replacements. If not the installers doing the replacements will
Kudos for you for taking care of any warranty issue for your customer, regardless of the cause, that's the best policy you can offer.
hr
Joe