Is it safe to harvest rainwater that fell on solar panels?
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I am working on creating blueprints for my new home. My plan is to have both solar panels on the roof and a rainwater catchment system that directs water from the roof into some tanks in the basement. I expect to have a filter (not sure if it will be ceramic, fiber, etc.) somewhere between the tanks and the pump that will push the water into a bladder tank before it reaches the household pipes.
I know you can have solar panels on the roof, and I know you can harvest rainwater from the roof, but is there some health risk in harvesting rainwater that has fallen on solar panels (and the racks, cables, etc.)? Do I need to worry about any chemicals being leached into the water? If so, what would be the best way to filter them out? I plan to use this rainwater for drinking and cooking.
Note: I already plan to have a filter for things like bird droppings and other biomatter. My question is specifically about substances that could leach off the solar panels or any related hardware.
water safety solar-panels rain green
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
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add a comment |
I am working on creating blueprints for my new home. My plan is to have both solar panels on the roof and a rainwater catchment system that directs water from the roof into some tanks in the basement. I expect to have a filter (not sure if it will be ceramic, fiber, etc.) somewhere between the tanks and the pump that will push the water into a bladder tank before it reaches the household pipes.
I know you can have solar panels on the roof, and I know you can harvest rainwater from the roof, but is there some health risk in harvesting rainwater that has fallen on solar panels (and the racks, cables, etc.)? Do I need to worry about any chemicals being leached into the water? If so, what would be the best way to filter them out? I plan to use this rainwater for drinking and cooking.
Note: I already plan to have a filter for things like bird droppings and other biomatter. My question is specifically about substances that could leach off the solar panels or any related hardware.
water safety solar-panels rain green
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
The exterior of solar panels is pretty well sealed with just aluminum and glass, so I don't think that's much cause for concern. If the wiring was sitting in water, that might be a problem, but I would recommend making sure that doesn't happen regardless.
– Nate Strickland
8 hours ago
Roofs are generally pretty horrible places to put solar panels if you have any other choice. They do cool the roof somewhat, but they create a bunch of roof penetrations and cause leaks, which are then hard to repair because the solar panel is in the way. Also firemen do not like them because they're in the way of firefighting, and misconfigured, they can zap firemen unless specifically designed to avoid that, and firemen don't trust that you did that.
– Harper
6 mins ago
add a comment |
I am working on creating blueprints for my new home. My plan is to have both solar panels on the roof and a rainwater catchment system that directs water from the roof into some tanks in the basement. I expect to have a filter (not sure if it will be ceramic, fiber, etc.) somewhere between the tanks and the pump that will push the water into a bladder tank before it reaches the household pipes.
I know you can have solar panels on the roof, and I know you can harvest rainwater from the roof, but is there some health risk in harvesting rainwater that has fallen on solar panels (and the racks, cables, etc.)? Do I need to worry about any chemicals being leached into the water? If so, what would be the best way to filter them out? I plan to use this rainwater for drinking and cooking.
Note: I already plan to have a filter for things like bird droppings and other biomatter. My question is specifically about substances that could leach off the solar panels or any related hardware.
water safety solar-panels rain green
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I am working on creating blueprints for my new home. My plan is to have both solar panels on the roof and a rainwater catchment system that directs water from the roof into some tanks in the basement. I expect to have a filter (not sure if it will be ceramic, fiber, etc.) somewhere between the tanks and the pump that will push the water into a bladder tank before it reaches the household pipes.
I know you can have solar panels on the roof, and I know you can harvest rainwater from the roof, but is there some health risk in harvesting rainwater that has fallen on solar panels (and the racks, cables, etc.)? Do I need to worry about any chemicals being leached into the water? If so, what would be the best way to filter them out? I plan to use this rainwater for drinking and cooking.
Note: I already plan to have a filter for things like bird droppings and other biomatter. My question is specifically about substances that could leach off the solar panels or any related hardware.
water safety solar-panels rain green
water safety solar-panels rain green
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Pedro
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
asked 8 hours ago
PedroPedro
1212
1212
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Pedro is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
The exterior of solar panels is pretty well sealed with just aluminum and glass, so I don't think that's much cause for concern. If the wiring was sitting in water, that might be a problem, but I would recommend making sure that doesn't happen regardless.
– Nate Strickland
8 hours ago
Roofs are generally pretty horrible places to put solar panels if you have any other choice. They do cool the roof somewhat, but they create a bunch of roof penetrations and cause leaks, which are then hard to repair because the solar panel is in the way. Also firemen do not like them because they're in the way of firefighting, and misconfigured, they can zap firemen unless specifically designed to avoid that, and firemen don't trust that you did that.
– Harper
6 mins ago
add a comment |
1
The exterior of solar panels is pretty well sealed with just aluminum and glass, so I don't think that's much cause for concern. If the wiring was sitting in water, that might be a problem, but I would recommend making sure that doesn't happen regardless.
– Nate Strickland
8 hours ago
Roofs are generally pretty horrible places to put solar panels if you have any other choice. They do cool the roof somewhat, but they create a bunch of roof penetrations and cause leaks, which are then hard to repair because the solar panel is in the way. Also firemen do not like them because they're in the way of firefighting, and misconfigured, they can zap firemen unless specifically designed to avoid that, and firemen don't trust that you did that.
– Harper
6 mins ago
1
1
The exterior of solar panels is pretty well sealed with just aluminum and glass, so I don't think that's much cause for concern. If the wiring was sitting in water, that might be a problem, but I would recommend making sure that doesn't happen regardless.
– Nate Strickland
8 hours ago
The exterior of solar panels is pretty well sealed with just aluminum and glass, so I don't think that's much cause for concern. If the wiring was sitting in water, that might be a problem, but I would recommend making sure that doesn't happen regardless.
– Nate Strickland
8 hours ago
Roofs are generally pretty horrible places to put solar panels if you have any other choice. They do cool the roof somewhat, but they create a bunch of roof penetrations and cause leaks, which are then hard to repair because the solar panel is in the way. Also firemen do not like them because they're in the way of firefighting, and misconfigured, they can zap firemen unless specifically designed to avoid that, and firemen don't trust that you did that.
– Harper
6 mins ago
Roofs are generally pretty horrible places to put solar panels if you have any other choice. They do cool the roof somewhat, but they create a bunch of roof penetrations and cause leaks, which are then hard to repair because the solar panel is in the way. Also firemen do not like them because they're in the way of firefighting, and misconfigured, they can zap firemen unless specifically designed to avoid that, and firemen don't trust that you did that.
– Harper
6 mins ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
If you plan to use that collected water for drinking and cooking then you will need a proper filtration / treatment system... Ingesting diluted bird-droppings is not a good idea...
So, a simple filter may not be enough, you may well need UV treatment, but you should consult the authorities for the standards in your location you are legislated to meet and consult some just for your own health and others who may drink your water...
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
5
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
5
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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oldest
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active
oldest
votes
If you plan to use that collected water for drinking and cooking then you will need a proper filtration / treatment system... Ingesting diluted bird-droppings is not a good idea...
So, a simple filter may not be enough, you may well need UV treatment, but you should consult the authorities for the standards in your location you are legislated to meet and consult some just for your own health and others who may drink your water...
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
5
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
5
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
add a comment |
If you plan to use that collected water for drinking and cooking then you will need a proper filtration / treatment system... Ingesting diluted bird-droppings is not a good idea...
So, a simple filter may not be enough, you may well need UV treatment, but you should consult the authorities for the standards in your location you are legislated to meet and consult some just for your own health and others who may drink your water...
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
5
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
5
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
add a comment |
If you plan to use that collected water for drinking and cooking then you will need a proper filtration / treatment system... Ingesting diluted bird-droppings is not a good idea...
So, a simple filter may not be enough, you may well need UV treatment, but you should consult the authorities for the standards in your location you are legislated to meet and consult some just for your own health and others who may drink your water...
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
If you plan to use that collected water for drinking and cooking then you will need a proper filtration / treatment system... Ingesting diluted bird-droppings is not a good idea...
So, a simple filter may not be enough, you may well need UV treatment, but you should consult the authorities for the standards in your location you are legislated to meet and consult some just for your own health and others who may drink your water...
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
answered 7 hours ago
Solar MikeSolar Mike
1,14028
1,14028
5
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
5
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
add a comment |
5
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
5
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
5
5
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
This guy knows what he's talking about. They don't call him Solar Mike for no reason ;)
– JPhi1618
7 hours ago
5
5
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
I understand the need to filter out the gunk that accumulates on my roof. My question is specifically about whether I should worry about other substances that could originate from the solar panels. Would UV treatment do anything about that?
– Pedro
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Pedro is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Pedro is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Pedro is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Pedro is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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The exterior of solar panels is pretty well sealed with just aluminum and glass, so I don't think that's much cause for concern. If the wiring was sitting in water, that might be a problem, but I would recommend making sure that doesn't happen regardless.
– Nate Strickland
8 hours ago
Roofs are generally pretty horrible places to put solar panels if you have any other choice. They do cool the roof somewhat, but they create a bunch of roof penetrations and cause leaks, which are then hard to repair because the solar panel is in the way. Also firemen do not like them because they're in the way of firefighting, and misconfigured, they can zap firemen unless specifically designed to avoid that, and firemen don't trust that you did that.
– Harper
6 mins ago