To my surprise, the aluminum cans had a significant melting effect. The first day I just tossed one on the snow without plugging up the vent holes. It worked well enough that I gave the idea some more thought. The next day, I plugged the holes and the results were much better.
The cans melted the snow so well they almost disappeared into the snow, which probably blocked most of the sun and decreased their effectiveness.
Melting an extra inch to 1-1/2" of snow on a 40 degree day seems like enough of a success that I might explore the idea even further.
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| With just three aluminum cans spray-painted black and plugged up with a napkin, you can melt an extra inch of snow on a 40f day. Might be worth exploring the concept a little further. |
First, I will need a lot more than three cans to melt much snow. Think hundreds of black aluminum cans.
Second, I need to cover the top so I don't lose so much heat back to the atmosphere.
I need a way to quickly deploy them and then put them back in storage. But enough cans to clear a walkway would take up my entire shop.
So right now, I'm thinking it might be better to duct the heated air from a traditional solar collector box and direct it under the walk or porch or driveway. That seems like a lot of work though.
But what if I knew the snow was coming and could attach a flexible plastic duct, almost like one of those dancing air-filled figures at the car lots but with internal bumps like bubble wrap to insure separation of the membranes and some air circulation.
I'm too tired from shoveling the driveway right now to give it much thought. But I am intrigued.
If you've got any ideas feel free to drop me a comment.
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