Our experience with Drews Solar

We wanted to install solar panels to generate electricity for our house. We had numerous questions, and began by searching the internet for contractors. We contacted a number of them, but were immediately drawn to the Drews Solar website, because of the wealth of information it presented. The site anticipated and answered a number of our common questions.

Mike Drews came out to Ela Orchard, our farm, and we discussed our particular situation. I was impressed with how Mike immediately focused on issues that could be complications and how they might be dealt with.

Mike was friendly and straight forward about his schedule and about his expectations for when he could start our project.

After comparing a number of bids, Drews Solar was competitive and we asked Mike to go ahead.

Mike worked mostly alone and accomplished the installation in what seemed to us a remarkably short time. Through the process Mike answered our questions and kept us informed about its progress. He dealt with the regulatory paper work, and the whole process went smoothly.

We now have ground mounted solar panels generating electricity and we are greatly enjoying getting to know them as we move through the seasons.

It is hard for us to imagine a better solar panel installation experience. We continue to appreciate Mike’s work, his professionalism, his thoughtfulness, and his good company.

Bob Willard

Jane Hamilton

Solar Panels and What To Do About Snow

People often ask me what they need to do when it snows on their solar panels. You have two options: one is easy, but the other more rewarding.

Your first option is to do nothing. If daytime temps are in the 20's and 30's, sun and warmth will eventually melt the snow and cause it to slide off the solar array. This happens most quickly if the panels are on a steeper roof facing south, but even so, snow will eventually melt on panels with a low pitch facing east and west. And regardless of snow, solar panel systems produce the least energy during the colder months when the sun is lower in the sky and we have fewer sunny days. So if you're losing power because of snow on your panels, you're likely losing only a few percent of your overall annual output.

Your other option is snow removal. This is a good choice for people who enjoy being outdoors during the winter and also want to get the most out of their solar panels. While there are many dangerous ways to remove snow from a roof-top solar array, there are a couple of methods that are much safer and can even be fun.

Removal Option 1: hose down the array after a snowfall. Cold water will melt the snow away fairly quickly, but you'll want to use this option only when the air temperature is at least a few degrees above freezing (32F+). Otherwise you'll be doing more damage than good - and also adding an incredible amount of weight to your already heavy-laden roof. If you want to try this method, start first by tackling a lighter snowfall that leaves only a thin layer on the array, then move up to heavier snow falls as you gain some experience.

Removal Option 2: mechanical removal. Do a Google image search and you'll find there are many tools that people employ in this endeavor. But the best is probably a roof rake on a telescoping pole, like this one and this one.

Using a telescoping handle with a broom or squeegee head can also work, but they may be less efficient at grabbing the snow. If you go with the roof rake, just make sure the head is made of a material that won't scratch the panel glass - plastic and foam are good, but you'll want to stay away from all types of metal. You might not be able to reach the highest parts of your array, but clearing the snow from the bottom will give the snow at the top a clear path to slide down. And don't sweat it if there is a bit of snow remaining on the panels when you've finished raking - the last bits will melt soon enough, and the panels don't need to be 100% clean to produce power.

I hope you found this helpful. And whatever you do, don't get on the roof with a shovel.

Solar Panels: Do They Need to Face South?

Many customers are happy to learn that solar panels don't need to face due-South.

Science, yes science, tells us that it's best to face solar panels to the South because you'll get the most bang-for-your-buck with the investment you've made. But won't they work if they face East or West, or what about North?

The truth is that while solar panels that face East or West (or North) are not ideal, it can make economic sense for many customers. Panels facing East or West produce about 15% less electricity than the same panel facing South, and with panels facing SE or SW, that number is only 7%. And while we typically have better options than facing panels toward the North, with a shallow tilt angle you might only lose 20-25%.

In general, the best tilt angles are between 20 and 45 degrees, which also happens to be the pitch of almost all residential roofs in Wisconsin. A lower tilt angle will give you more solar output in the summer when the sun is high in the sky, but less in the winter with the sun is low. And vise versa for a steeper tilt angle. If you're building a structure for solar panels, you're best bet is to construct a roof pitch of 30-35 degrees, giving you a nice balance between summer and winter sun angles, and it's also enough to shed the snow more quickly.