Austral summer 19981999

Figure 12. PV panel performance on the low-visibility day (13 to 14 January 1998) over 24 hours.

CONCLUSION - TR00-40017

TR00-4
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11

Austral summer 19981999

West side of ARO (Fig. 16d): There was a uni-

On or about 20 September 1998, the sun broke the

form covering of about 1/3 in. (about 1 cm) over

horizon at the South Pole. John Booth of ASA reported

the following at ARO on 22 September 1998:

On 21 September 1998, John swept away the accumu-

South side of ARO (Fig. 16a): PV panels were

lated snow from the PV panels with a broom. Remain-

uniformly covered by snow about 1 in. thick.

ing on each was a light frosting of ice. On 1 October

East side of ARO (Fig. 16b): PV panels had a snow

1998, John reported that the ice layer had been removed

cover ranging from negligible to about 1 in. thick,

by the sun and drying wind.

in what were obviously wind-driven striations. The

PV panel removal and evaluation

buildups were at levels downwind (laterally, to the

south) where supports had caught and held snow.

On 24 January 1999, the PV panels and data acqui-

These supports are the things on which the PV

sition system were removed from the ARO building.

panels are mounted, I believe. Anyway, perhaps

The PV panels had been exposed to the harsh environ-

slightly more than 50% of each PV panel was

ment of the South Pole for 410 days. Prior to being

packed for the return shipment to CRREL, each PV

North side of ARO (Fig. 16c): Negligible snow

panel was thoroughly inspected for structural degrada-

covered most of the PV panel, a few tenths of an

tion of the PV module and aluminum frame. The find-

inch (about a half centimeter) at the very bottoms.

ings are listed below.

Figure 14. Temperatures experienced by ARO from 16 November 1998 to

9 February 1999.

Figure 15. Wind speeds experienced by ARO from 16 November 1998 to

9 February 1999.

Western Governors University

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