Solar Panels in Snow Country

The smooth surface of solar panels coupled with the equally smooth surface of a standing seam metal roof can result in a very sudden slide of snow in quantities large enough to cause severe damage to anything or anyone below.  One of the most economical ways to prevent a snow “avalanche” is to install a snow retention system or “snow guards.”

Having a snow retention plan created along with the PV Panel plan will help maximize rooftop space and also determine the height necessary for the snow retention system to hold back the snow sliding off the array.  A trained designer will take into account the local building code snow loads, roof pitch and roofing surface materials to best plan and design the solar array placement along with the snow retention system.  They’ll also consider whether your PV panels need to be installed with a racking system or as a rack-less system, and what the distance from the top of the PV panels to the rooftop will need to be.   

Local fire code requirements for positioning the solar array on the roof should be reviewed, and you will need to allow space for emergency personnel to access the rooftop in case of a fire or other disaster.  Some jurisdictions mandate a specific, clear distance between the array and the eave and valleys of adjacent roof sections, often three feet or more. Discuss with your installer about the impacts of installing a snow rail within that distance.