Why Snow Guards Are a Must-Have for Solar Panels in Winter

Why Snow Guards Are a Must-Have for Solar Panels in Winter

Winter is a very challenging season for homeowners, particularly those with solar panels installed on their roofs. Although solar systems effectively reduce energy bills, they can be particularly problematic in winter.

Snow accumulation on solar panels, more specifically, is a potential danger since it may lead to several problems, such as property damage and safety threats. That’s where snow guards come in – they are an essential but required solution that can help you avoid those winter troubles.

In this article, you will learn why snow guards are essential for your solar panels during the winter. Let’s discuss the drawbacks of not establishing them, the advantages of installing snow guards early, and why you should choose Solar Medix.

Importance of Snow Guards for Solar Panels

Snow guards are crucial for your solar panel, especially if you live in a region characterised by snow, such as New Jersey and New York. These guards offer a safety shield against roof avalanches, in which much snow falls off the roof at once.

Here’s why they’re so important:

  • Protects Your Property: Snow can harm your roof and other home parts. It is dangerous and causes damage to gutters when it drops off outdoor furniture, landscaping, or even parked cars.
  • Prevents Injuries: Falling snow is a significant safety hazard to your family and other members of society who may be passing close to your home. Snow guards reduce this risk by regulating how snow slips off the roof.
  • Preserve Your Solar Investment: Placing solar panels is an investment. Snow guards guarantee your panels are safe, operating as they should be, and preventing high repair expenses.

If you want to know more about how snow guards can help your solar panels, read Snow Guards for Solar Panels – The Best Way to Make Your Rooftop Solar Panels Winter Ready.

5 Winter Risks for Solar Panel Owners Without Snow Guards

Although snow can be fun in winter, it threatens systems like solar panels and their components. If snow guards are not fitted in houses, owners will face many problems, which will require a lot of time and finances and even pose risks to life.

Let us examine five of the significant challenges posed by the absence of snow guards on your solar system this winter:

  1. Danger of Sliding Snow from Solar Panels
  2. Hazards to Gutters, Rooflines, Vehicles, and the Property Below
  3. Increased Wear and Tear on Solar Panels
  4. Unpredictable Costs from Avoidable Repairs
  5. Challenges with Snow Removal Without Guards

1. Danger of Sliding Snow from Solar Panels

The snow accumulated on the roof is problematic. Without snow guards, dangerously high snow accumulations may slide and destroy the property below. This is more dangerous for solar panels, which tend to have smooth surfaces and shed snow quickly during winter.

  • Roof Avalanches: heavy snow falls in large chunks and can adversely affect gutters, roofs, and objects or structures beneath them.
  • Injury Risk: Passengers who aren’t careful can become victims of ice projectiles, and many have lost their lives due to snowfall incidents.
  • Snow Pile-Up: In the absence of a snow guard, the speed of snow accumulation increases, elevating the potential for sliding off snow and roof avalanches.

2. Hazards to Gutters, Rooflines, Vehicles, and the Property Below

Snow sliding off the roofs can be assertive when it falls and can damage gutters, roof lines, and anything in the way, including standing cars, outdoor seats, and landscaping. The pressure can even remove the gutters from the roof during winter, which can be expensive to fix later.

  • Gutter Damage: Depending on the amount of sliding snow, some gutters may be pulled off the roof.
  • Property Damage: Snow can damage vehicles, fences, other outdoor objects, and appliances.
  • Costly Roof Repairs: When pressure builds up on the roof due to accumulated snow, it often produces high repair costs.

3. Increased Wear and Tear on Solar Panels

Your solar panels are fully coated and protected against all kinds of weather, but they will suffer from wear and tear from exposure to abusive conditions. If not protected enough, snow slides off the roofs pose a risk of scratching or, in some other way, damaging the panels. Furthermore, these conditions may lead to massive snow on the structure, affecting its performance and functionality.

  • Scratches and Cracks: The force of snow falling tends to scratch or crack the surface of your solar panels.
  • Reduced Efficiency: Snow on the panels reduces efficiency and may need to be cleaned or replaced.
  • Long-Term Damage: Sliding snow over an extended period puts a lot of pressure on your panels, reducing their performance.

Solar panels can hold, weighing up to 800 pounds. However, the weight of accumulated snow can exceed this limit, leading to potential structural damage or detachment from the mounting system (Source: ENGINEERING)

4. Unpredictable Costs from Avoidable Repairs

Fixing snow-related issues is an expense. Costs associated with gutter replacement, damaged panels, etc., all add up in the end. This situation, however, is avoidable with the installation of snow guards, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of surprise repair bills in the winter.

  • Expensive Repairs: Repairing snow damage can easily cost thousands, significantly affecting several areas of the home.
  • Insurance Claims: You must make insurance claims to offset those damages, which invariably increases premiums.
  • Financial Strain: Due to ongoing repairs during the winter, there is increased financial pressure.

Sandia National Laboratories makes annual estimates that typical energy losses due to snow accumulation may be between 1%-12%. During peak loss months, which vary according to the region and weather conditions, the losses can reach 100%. Snow guards, however, can mitigate these losses to reduce snow buildup on solar panels.

5. Challenges with Snow Removal Without Guards

Dealing with snow-covered panels without guards involves more significant risk. Heavy snow can settle on your panels, making them extremely dirty and requiring expensive cleaning. Snow guards reduce the need to clean snow by allowing it to fall in quickly cleared areas.

  • Manual Removal: Manual snow removal is sometimes necessary, which can be dangerous and require special tools.
  • Costly Services: Paying for snow removal is expensive, especially if it needs to be done several times throughout the winter.
  • Inefficiency: Their efficiency can be diminished if panels are covered with snow for a long time.

4 Key Benefits of Installing Snow Guards Before the Snow Hits

Snow guards protect your property and enhance the efficiency and lifespan of your solar system.

To effectively windproof your home, here are five reasons to install snow guards before the winter season starts.

  1. Improved Safety for Family and Visitors
  2. Extending the Lifespan of Your Solar Panels
  3. Saving Money on Avoidable Repairs
  4. Simplifying Winter Maintenance

1. Improved Safety for Family and Visitors

Everyone wants to feel safe and secure within their house, or in this case, even outside of it. Preparations must be made to ensure that family members and guests are safe from the threats posed by snow. Snow guards lower the likelihood of hazardous snow slides, which can cause injuries.

  • Prevents Snow Falls: Snow guards prevent snow from sliding off roofs in large and hazardous amounts.
  • Peace of Mind: Greater joy for the people they love when they know they’ve taken measures to keep them safe.
  • Safer Walkways: Snow guards clear the snow that may cover walkways from the accumulated snow, which may lead to unsafe walkways.

2. Extending the Lifespan of Your Solar Panels

Even though solar panels are expected to be durable, the wear and tear of sliding snow can cause damage through exposure to harsh weather conditions. Snow guards act as a shield against damage and degradation, preserving the useful lifespan of your panels.

  • Prevents Physical Damage: Snow guards restrict the snow from coming into contact directly with the panels, limiting the chances of scratches or cracks on panels.
  • Preserves Efficiency: Damaged snow-covered panels would decrease production capability, thus destroying investment objectives.
  • Reduces Need for Repairs: You do not need to pay for expensive maintenance when minimal damage is caused by snow-related destruction.

3. Saving Money on Avoidable Repairs

The application of snow guards is rewarded in the long term. Damaged gutters, roofs, and solar panels due to snow can be avoided, saving enormous repair costs.

  • Avoid Property Damage: Snow guards ensure minimal or no impact from snow on gutters, cars, and other properties.
  • Lower Insurance Claims: This reduction in damage means fewer insurance claims and, thus, lower premiums.
  • Fewer Repair Costs: Snow guards ensure a low repair work frequency as snow accumulation is prevented.

4. Simplifying Winter Maintenance

With snow guards, winter maintenance becomes quite elementary. Standing on the rooftop and removing snow for hours becomes an outdated worry.

  • No More Manual Snow Removal: Snow guards reduce the demand for intensive snow removal efforts from solar panels.
  • Faster Snow Melting: With snow guards on the roof, snow melts and falls to the ground in a manageable quantity, making it less challenging to clear.
  • Low-Maintenance Solution: After the snow guards are installed, there is no need for further maintenance, which ultimately saves time and resources.

Why Choose Solar Medix for Snow Guard Installation?

At Solar Medix, we take snow guard installation and solar panel maintenance seriously and are dedicated to winter-proofing your home and investment. Snow weight on solar panels should not be a concern, especially when it moves and slips off suddenly, causing injury or destruction. But why do you entrust this important job to us?

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Customized Solutions for Every Roof: No matter if the roof is flat or steep or has an irregular design, our snow guard systems are built accordingly. Why settle for one-size-fits-all solutions when you can get a custom fit for your home?
  • Quality Materials: Our snow guards are built solid and are expected to stand up to the rigours of wintertime year after year. Don’t you want dependable protection for your solar panels?
  • Expert Installation: We ensure the snow guards are in position and that proper protection is provided from the first day. Who else would you trust for such a task?
  • Proven Track Record: Hundreds of satisfied customers trust us with their solar systems. Isn’t it comforting to know you’re in good hands?

Contact Solar Medix today to winter-proof your solar system this year. Don’t delay and wait until snow starts falling—take action to protect your family and investment!

FAQs

Even in areas with mild snowfall, effective snow guards may still be necessary. Snow may build up on solar panels, and when the snow melts, it may damage a large area or cause a safety hazard. Installing snow guards, which help control snow, is a helpful way to manage snow flow even in low-snow regions.

Snow guards limit the speed at which snow slides off, helping avoid breaking or scratching the solar panels. They also minimise the effects of snow in the off-season, which may risk the panels' efficiency in the long run.

Yes, installing snow guards significantly alleviates the need for snow removal. Once they have been installed, the danger posed by snow is minimised. Therefore, removing or managing the snow will be less complicated, implying less work on your part when winter comes.

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