Dear Action Line: Time for a question about the solar panels on the ice rink at Chapman Hill. Why are they now covered with snow since the Thanksgiving storm? Seems like that would affect the power collection from the solar panels. – Curious Neighbor
Dear Curious: Sometimes it’s the little things, but Action Line is just impressed that Curious used the correct form of affect/effect. In general, affect is the verb form, and effect the noun form. Underline “in general” there. Grammar done been so persnicketyishly complicatered.
This question was sent before Dec. 25, but unless the beautiful rain that brought us a brown, muddy Christmas washed the snow off the panels, they’re still snow-covered. For a couple of reasons. The main one is for employee safety.
“The panels will not be removed of snow – it is not safe for the staff on the roof,” said Kelli Jaycox, assistant recreation director for Durango Parks and Recreation, which operates the ski hill and skating rink at Chapman Hill. “The panels had a surfacing that should help the snow slide off, but at least they still get some benefit even with the snow.”
Another reason: It’s just not worth it.
“The estimated energy savings were determined with the assumption there would be snow on the panels, although it turns out they still produce energy even with snow covering them,” Jaycox said.
And, at this particular moment, there’s no reason at all to clear the snow because they’re under repair.
“The solar panels at Chapman Hill have not been energized and are not currently functioning,” Jaycox said. “They are expected to be up and running in March. There was a supply chain issue with some of the electrical materials.”
Jaycox didn’t mention this, but some industry experts say you can damage panels fairly easily by trying to clear the snow off them, and the risk is not worth the effort. Doing damage can void your warrantee. So maybe in this case, there’s a benefit to being lazy.
If you just can’t live without solar power, and can’t wait for the sun to melt the snow, of course, you can clear the panels. And Action Line’s limited sleuthing shows there is a pretty big difference in how much more energy a snow-free panel produces.
Action Line assumes that most folks with solar panels know not to use the common metal-bladed roof rakes on solar panels. Use rakes with soft blades such as foam. And if you climb up on the roof to do this, your chances of falling off said roof are 100% greater than if you don’t get on the roof. Tips like these are what make reading Action Line so imperative.
Dear Action Line: First of all, let me say that I love Noel Night! Kudos to Local First and all of the businesses that put together such a grand community party. What disappoints me, though, is the overflowing garbage bins of plastic cups at each venue. We bring our grocery bags to the supermarket – why can’t we bring our own cups to Noel Night? Two years ago, Pine Needle Mountaineering sold metal cups for five dollars that you could take around for the rest of the night. We’ve brought those cups back both years since, but the tradition didn’t take hold. I’m sure there are many things to consider, but I believe that our creative community can come up with a better solution. – Cup Half Full
Dear Half Full: First, some quick history: Noel Night began in 2002 after the Missionary Ridge Fire, when Durango businesses that had taken a hit that summer were looking for a creative way to get people back downtown and recover some of their losses. In the ensuing two decades it has become, for many locals, a can’t-miss community event.
The 2023 Noel Night was held on Dec. 1, and was apparently well-attended and successful. Many businesses provide drinks, food and live music, and if you want to be somebody in Durango, this is a good place to be seen. And it’s a fine way to help keep money flowing in the community.
But yeah, the waste issue is something that maybe needs to be addressed.
Doug McCarthy, CEO of Local First, said this issue is on the minds of staff and board members.
“We appreciate the constructive feedback and have already been discussing how we can promote this goal for future events,” he said. “Local First recently received a Green Durango grant to purchase reusable tableware that we plan to use and make available to our members to use in hosting sustainable events.
“We look forward to participating in community dialogue on ways to promote a thriving, equitable, and sustainable local economy that values people, planet and prosperity for everyone.”
Email questions and suggestions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Get this in your head: 2024.
