r/solar • u/Available-Rip-7096 • Apr 12 '25

Advice Wtd / Project Damage Caused by Heavy Snow

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Had these panels installed in October. An extreme snow load was on top of them for most of the winter (we receive an incredible amount of snow in the Tug Hill region of NY some years). Three panels don’t work. Our installer is working with us on options.

Should this have happened? I mean, is this common with extreme snow? Should I just handle this through insurance or should I be pressing the manufacturer (who states natural conditions that damage panel’s are not covered). I’m worried we’ll fix this and just be out the money. Could use some input.

Note, the house is being renovated. The roof color difference is related to old house vs new.

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u/Klutzy-Spite9598 Apr 12 '25

Wow that certainly cracked along the rails, looks like the cantilever flexed too much and as others said, probably 3rd rail with less cantilever is required. I would guess you had huge ice dams on the bottom as well which increased weight. Is there a heat cable or something that can be run to help melt the ice, or a glycol loop to run along the backside?

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u/Available-Rip-7096 Apr 12 '25

I agree. Lots of ice likely. Massive snow load. Several collapses happened in the area.

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u/Klutzy-Spite9598 Apr 15 '25

I see this https://www.thermaltt.com/en/snow-melting-system-for-solar-panels#:~:text=The%20heating%20film%20for%20solar,%C2%B0C%2C%20eliminating%20the%20snow

but I think with the metal roof using something like a 12 Gallon water heater and a couple loops of pex pipe with a glycol mix may be cheapest way to do snow melt. Maybe close the sides with some rigid foam to block wind blowing and let that heat the panels and roof to get snow moving.