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 [email protected] 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 > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: [email protected] > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
