[RE-wrenches] White Paper on on the affects of a "snow, melt, refreeze process" (no pun intended)

[Lee Bristol]

Thanks Ray, my response compared the parapets to the snow dam under
the modules too.


On Thu, Aug 5, 2010 at 5:06 PM, R Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
> I'd say that at this point, with all the old solar systems, flat roofs, and snow we get in New Mexico and Colorado, that if it hasn't been a problem, it won't be a problem.
> It definitely is not going to lift the panels; worst case is that it could build up and get past flashings, which is a problem on flat roofs whether they have solar or not.
> I've seen this most with roofs with parapets: the snow in the shade of the parapets builds up and gets higher than the corner flashings, starting a leak.
> Obviously solar won't be installed in these shaded areas, so I think its fair to say the solar is not going to make anything worse, and it might actually help a little.
>
> R. Walters
> ray at solarray.com
> Solar Engineer
>
>
>
>
> On Aug 5, 2010, at 1:47 PM, Lee Bristol wrote:
>
>> Wrenches,
>>
>> Has anybody come across an analysis of the potential damage to a flat
>> roof from snow on solar modules melting to form an ice layer on the
>> roof and then forming subsequent layers as more snow melts or slides
>> down the modules?  If the sheet gets thick enough then the next bit of
>> water could form ice layer under edge of panel and lift it up.  Seems
>> very unlikely to me but the prospect has questions....and prospect
>> questions must be answered.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Lee
>>
>> --
>> Lee Bristol
>> NABCEP Certified Solar Designer/Installer
>>
>> Chief Technology Officer
>> Standard Solar, Inc.
>> 1355 Piccard Drive
>> Rockville, MD 20850
>> (301) 944-5105
>> (240) 479-1510 (c)
>> www.standardsolar.com
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-- 
Lee Bristol
NABCEP Certified Solar Designer/Installer

Chief Technology Officer
Standard Solar, Inc.
202 Perry Parkway, #7
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 944-5105
(240) 479-1510 (c)
www.standardsolar.com