Here at Sustainable Grand, we get many people saying, “I’d like to add solar, but will it even work with so much snow?”

Grand County gets an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, so it’s a great place to harness all that renewable solar energy. Of course, we also get a lot of snow, so how do solar panels work with our snowfall?

Does snow stick to solar panels?

The good news is that solar panels are designed with a slick, glass surface, making it easy for snow to slide off. They’re usually mounted at an angle, which also helps snow slide off easily. Plus, the dark color of the panels absorbs sunlight, which helps melt snow more quickly than it would on a regular roof. 

Talking to Grand County homeowners who’ve installed solar, they haven’t had issues with snow lingering on their solar panels. After storms pass and the sun shines again, snow sheds quickly and cleans the panels in the process.

What about the weight of the snow?

All solar panels are designed to bear a certain amount of weight and snow and ice accumulation. All solar panels undergo pressure tests to assess durability and are rated accordingly. The higher the pressure rating, the better the panel will be at withstanding the weight of heavy snow. 

Do I need to clean the panels?

For the most part, solar panels are pretty low maintenance. In Grand County, where we get a mix of sun and snow, natural weather patterns often help keep the panels clean. Rain can wash away dust and dirt, and as mentioned, snow slides off on its own. 

Let’s take full advantage of Grand County’s abundant sunshine and make a positive impact on our community.