Your Solar Panels in the Snow

As snow has continued to accumulate in SouthEastern PA, many of our existing customers have contacted us about what to do, if anything. The answer is simple: Nothing!

Structurally, solar systems are adding only a few pounds per square foot of load to the roof, so no need for alarm there, even though this has been quite a heavy snow.

With regard to power production, it is true that generation is, for the most part, halted by snow cover. If you would like to climb around on these historically snow covered roofs to sweep of your modules, feel free, but we would recommend that it is not worth risk of falling! In addition, power production in February in our region is typically only 7% of the annual average, so missing a few days has no significant impact on annual production.

Snow also melts of solar PV modules and solar hot water collectors faster than anything else - these photos were taken at the SunPower warehouse. As you can see, the snow cleared almost immediately off of the hot water collectors, which are used for our radiant floor heating.