Albedo and drying roads

There was plenty of snow here yesterday and slush on some roads out of town even this morning which could have caused problems with a forecast of freezing temperatures.

But where the dark colour of the roads has been exposed, thermal energy is more easily absorbed. We say that the road has a low albedo because it is a good absorber. The thermal energy helps to evaporate the standing water, drying the roads and hopefully keeping us free from ice in the coming freeze.

Data about Solar Panels

 

This article from the Oxford Mail gives some useful figures about solar panel output. 1400 square metres is giving 260,000kWh per year. My south-facing roof is maybe 30 square metres and further north so might give 5000kWh per year.