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If snow is never cleared from solar panels, about how much yearly production does NREL say is lost on average?

About 3% on average.

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  1. About 50%
  2. About 3% ✔
  3. About 90%

Why: Snow eventually melts or slides off, so yearly losses are small. NREL says snow is rarely removed because it is not cost effective and can damage panels and wiring.

Huh, didn't know that: In very snowy places like Truckee, California, NREL says losses can reach about 15%.

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References

Answer: About 3%. Snow eventually melts or slides off, so yearly losses are small. NREL says snow is rarely removed because it is not cost effective and can damage panels and wiring.

  1. NREL: Best Practices for O&M of PV and Energy Storage Systems, 3rd ed. (2018) docs.nlr.gov/docs/fy19osti/73822.pdf
    If snow is not removed, annual production is reduced by about 3% on average and up to 15% in very snowy climates
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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