Featured in Triple Green – 01-2010

Caution: roof avalanche

Snow: Snow on photovoltaic arrays can be dangerous. Melting snowdrifts can slide off roofs unexpectedly in mini avalanches, especially at middle altitudes. Spaces between panels, reinforced snow guards and module heating systems can help solve the problem.

Seventy-seven square meters of photovoltaics adorn Karl Heinzle’s house in the Austrian town of Batschuns. Not anticipating any trouble, Heinzle had the frameless modules installed on his gabled roof, which used to hold back snow with its roof hooks. When he arrived home one sunny winter’s day, he could not believe his eyes: masses of …

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