[RE-wrenches] Snow Guards

Thu Sep 10 08:58:16 PDT 2015

Most of our area in Ohio does not get that much snow, so we’ve only ended up using guards a small handful of times. We used Alpine when the racking allowed, and on a recent Quickrack job we actually used these (http://www.roofthings.com/snow-defender-4500-snow-guard-color-coated.html ) We attached them right to the array skirt, to stop snow from leaving the array. We went with metal snow breaks to try to match the lifetime of the array (will the clear plastic guards really last? Or is it so cheap to buy them that you just plan on them going bad and spend another $50 to replace them a few years down the road?).

The array has not seen winter yet, but in Cincinnati it could be a few winters before we get enough snow to see if it works. The client was worried about it though, and it didn’t break the bank to put them on, so we did. We also warned him that it would lower his wintertime production slightly since it would intentionally hold snow on the array.

With Regards,

Daniel Young, 

NABCEP Certified PV Installation ProfessionalTM: Cert #031508-90

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of frenergy
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 2:41 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Snow Guards

Adam,

        Many roofs in our area here in the Sierra are metal and shed snow in less desirable locations around the house....part of living at this elevation.  Different people deal with it in a variety of ways one of which is a snow shovel, another is snow brakes or heat tape (ouch) and everything in between.  The snow brakes I've used are this style (not necessarily recommending this product)  http://www.amazon.com/Commercial-Snow-Guards-Perfect-Gaskets/dp/B00V5J6VHG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_60_1?ie=UTF8 <http://www.amazon.com/Commercial-Snow-Guards-Perfect-Gaskets/dp/B00V5J6VHG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_60_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=075AS4H9PRYQ252M2A6V&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160> &refRID=075AS4H9PRYQ252M2A6V&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

        I'm not sure mounting the PVs in landscape is a better option in this instance.  As I understand your installation, if the customer absolutely does not want to deal with snow sliding off the array, I would probably install snow brakes a foot below the lower edge of the array...assuming that 20" of comp at the bottom is not enough to prevent it from sliding....because its not.  I know some people have had issues with frames being torn off the bottom of PVs from sliding snow, but I think they get more snow than you do.

        Its too late (?) now but if a 1-2" gap was left between the rows, a custom-made brake could have been made to be mounted below the lower edge of top row and protrude up just a couple inches above the plane of the array to take some of the load of the snow off of the lower snow brakes/PVs.  My thoughts are predicated on the assumption that the 60" you mentioned is total for the year, not at one time.

        The best scenario would be to convince the customer that relieving the array of the snow (let it slide) is the best option for power output and reducing the number of holes in his roof for attaching the snow brakes.  "If you buy this PV system, it comes with a free snow shovel"

What a deal.

Bill

----- Original Message ----- 

From: AE Solar <mailto:autonomousenergies at gmail.com>  

To: RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>  

Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 10:31 AM

Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Snow Guards

As an aside, I often notice arrays that fill a roof (gutter to ridge) that are often located in places I would assume it would not be good for snow to shed (i.e. a walkway or driveway). I'm wondering if this is something that is communicated with customers? Do those of you in snowy areas sacrifice size of an array to compensate for this or just come to an understanding with a customer that this is a hazard they (or their cars) could face.

Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies
4872 State Route 9G 
Germantown NY, 12526
www.autonomousenergies.com
(518) 567-1468

On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 10:50 AM, AE Solar <autonomousenergies at gmail.com> wrote:

Bill, 

It's a comp roof @ 30 degrees. The array could be as close as 20" to the bottom edge of the roof. Two rows of panels in portrait on two different roof sections. It's a 7.2kW system. We are in NY and snow seems to be completely variable these last few years but looks like the average has been about 60" traditionally.

The snowguards were an afterthought, and I'm not sure if I can switch the panels to run in landscape...which would be preferable if snow is going to shed slower.

Adam

Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies
4872 State Route 9G 
Germantown NY, 12526
www.autonomousenergies.com
(518) 567-1468 <tel:%28518%29%20567-1468> 

On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 10:16 AM, frenergy <frenergy at psln.com> wrote:

is it a metal roof, comp? pitch? where is the bottom of the array with respect to the bottom of the roof.  How much snow do you get there?

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric

----- Original Message ----- 

From: AE Solar <mailto:autonomousenergies at gmail.com>  

To: RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>  

Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 6:45 AM

Subject: [RE-wrenches] Snow Guards

Hey Wrenchers, 

I'm looking into snow guards for an array that would shed snow right into a driveway. So far I'm only familiar with Alpine. If anyone has other recommendations let me know?  

I haven't had to use any sort of snow guard so far, but I guess I should be prepared for winter production to really take a hit?

Adam

Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies
4872 State Route 9G 
Germantown NY, 12526
www.autonomousenergies.com
(518) 567-1468

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