Do you need snow guards for solar panels?

When homeowners initially think about buying solar panels, winter weather typically isn’t the first thing that might come to mind. But, if you live in an area where snow is common, adding snow guards to your solar panel installation can help you avoid damage to your gutters and roof. 

In this article, we will explain why you might need snow guards, how well solar panels produce solar energy in the snow, and which snow guard options are best to buy.

Why would you need snow guards?

A commonly asked question when it comes to rooftop solar is: do solar panels work in winter?

To answer that question - yes, solar panels do work in the winter and can even work when there is a light dusting of snow on them. Cold weather is not what stops panels from working - it is when they do not have access to the sun. If there is a few feet of snow buildup on your panels, they will not be able to absorb the sun, and therefore, they won’t generate power. 

You could climb on your roof to brush off the snow, but we recommend just relying on the grid for a few days for your energy production. Or - you could invest in snow guards. 

The guard will hold back a snow slide so that it does not fall off of your panel all at once. If that happens, it could break your gutters, ruin your landscaping, crash into your car, or fall onto an unsuspecting passerby. 

The snow guard allows snow and ice to melt slowly and fall off your roof like it normally would. Solar panels are an incredibly smooth glass surface, compared to the roof type and shingles you have, which can allow a better place for snow to stick. 

For example, asphalt shingles are designed so that your roof has some friction and that anything that lands on it does not immediately fall right off. Alternatively, some roofs will need snow guards even without solar panels, such as metal roofs, because they have a smooth surface that snow would fall right off of.

What snow guards are the best?

There are a few brands to pick from that make snow guards specifically for solar panel arrays.

Alpine SnowGuards

The Alpine Solar snow pad for solar panels can be added to your solar panel installation. These work by breaking up the snow as it slides down your panels so that they are in more manageable chunks and can therefore melt quicker.

Alpine offers various snow panel guard options, like the one above that is just one metal bar, or options that are small metal clamps that can be installed between solar panels. You can work with an Alpine installer to determine which type is best for you.

Rocky Mountain Snow Guards

If you want a little more protection, consider the Rocky Mountain Snow Guards 3-pipe snow fence style snow guard. 

This is a good option if you live in an area that gets significant snowfall throughout the winter, prompting the need for extra snow retention. The fence will hold back the ever-accumulating mound of snow on your roof. 

Are solar snow guards right for you?

If you live in a location where it snows often, snow guards are a worthwhile investment. They can help your home stay safe in the winter by reducing roof avalanches and the damage they cause. But if you live in a sunny location that is not snowy, or you have a flat roof with no pitch, you can skip snow guards. 

Another thing to consider is the fact that solar panels are dark, which helps snow melt faster when the sun hits them. So light snow can melt before accumulating enough to cause an avalanche and they can quickly get back to producing solar power. 

Adding snow guards to your solar system is not very expensive, so an easy install can help keep your mind at ease. Your solar installer will be able to help you determine whether you need them based on your roof and the climate in your area. You can also install snow guards after installing panels if you later decide you need them. 

Either way, an experienced solar panel installer will help you get the answers you need to make sure your home is weather-ready.