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Mar 27 2025
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image of snow melting off of rooftop solar panels

Removing Snow from Solar Panels

By Solar Panels for Home No Comments

Solar.com Energy Advisors get this question all the time from homeowners who live in snowy areas — “How do I remove snow from my solar panels?” We get it, snow is blocking you from generating that clean energy to charge your car, run your heat pump, and lower your electricity bill. But is it worth doing it yourself? 

 

 

How should I remove snow from my solar panels?

Generally, the best way to remove snow from your array is to let Mother Nature do her thing. Although it may not feel like it in the depths of winter, the weather will eventually get warmer and sunny enough to melt the snow off your panels and wipe them clean in the process. Solar.com discourages using brushes or shovels on or near the array, as you might dislodge the panel-to-panel or home-run wiring connections and create a host of problems.

Solar panels operate at a higher temperature than the ambient temperature, which helps promote “sluffing” of the snow off the panels. Even when completely covered with snow, some light will get through, and the radiant heat from your home will help keep the panels warmer from the underside. On a bright day that remains freezing, it’s entirely possible to see a couple of inches of snow melt off your panels on their own. 

It’s worth being aware of what’s underneath your solar panels as snow slides off them and move anything you don’t want buried in snow (grills, patio furniture, people, etc). If you have a steep pitch or a metal roof, it may be worth installing clamp-on guards or snow fences to prevent sudden “panel avalanches.”

Image of snow

How to clear snow and ice from solar panels

If you’re absolutely insistent on removing the snow yourself, be sure you use a device without hard edges (a soft cloth brush would work well) and be sure to not walk on your panels. And, it goes without saying, if you’re on your roof, you should be taking all necessary safety precautions, including using a harness or fall arrestor. 

The one place you might want to consider clearing snow from is if you notice a snow or ice damn on the roof or gutters beneath your array, you can clear that using a brush or shovel, being careful not to make contact with any of the solar panels or racking elements. You should wear head and eye protection as the dislodged snow and ice can come down quick. 

The bottom line

Snow and solar panels get along better than you might think. With a little sun, snow will melt and slide off your panels and leave them squeaky clean and ready to power your home!

Ready to learn how your roof can generate inexpensive clean power — even if you live in a snowy area? Compare multiple solar proposals at once with a solar.com Energy Advisor.

Mar 27 2025
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Six Years of Solar: Lessons Learned to Help You

By Solar Panels for Home, Solar Panel Installation Process No Comments

After working in the solar industry for well over a decade, in June 2019, I made the decision to install solar panels on my house. A lot has changed since then. I’ve had a job change, we experienced a global pandemic, and my children are in middle school. What hasn’t changed is my solar array reliably generates clean electricity, lowering my utility bill, with almost zero effort or thought on my side. 

Six years may seem like a somewhat arbitrary time period to anchor to, but it’s notable because at some point in March 2025 the system will have generated enough savings to cover the cost to install (net the tax credit and state incentives) on a simple payback basis. Or, to put it another way, I’m now generating completely free power from my roof.

What’s especially remarkable about this is that my payback period happened a year before it was forecasted to. 

How My Solar System Returned its Investment Faster than Forecasted

There are three main contributors to my solar array economics outperforming their financial forecast:

1) The modeling assumptions were relatively conservative. I live in a northern climate and get a decent amount of snow most years, so I ensured the soiling rate (panel coverage) reflected this lower performance. However, the last two years have been way below average with snowfall and my system absolutely cranks out power on bright crisp days. Statistical probability says this will even out over time, but Mother Nature played her part in helping my solar investment. 

2) A tree fell down. There was a relatively large tree on the property line with my neighbor that cast a diffused shadow on my array for about an hour a day during the summer. It wasn’t enough shade to cut it down when I went solar, so I factored that in to my performance model. However, a wind storm three years ago took the tree down and now my array yields that much more power. 

3) My retail cost of electricity from my utility is up over 50% since 2019. This is the largest single driver of my savings. The utility provider in my area has done some absolutely massive rate increases post-pandemic. One year saw over a 10% increase, much greater than the 3% annual increase I modeled. By going solar I effectively locked in my savings rate, so the more my utility charges, the more I save. And since we installed solar we’ve purchased an EV and put in a hot tub – so that extra savings is huge. 

 

 

What I Would Have Done Differently With My Solar System

All things considered, I’m very happy I went solar and the system has worked flawlessly. However, the manufacturer of my inverter and solar panel (LG for both) is no longer in solar. The good news is that the warranty is still covered by the manufacturer. But, in the instance of a failure I likely can’t get a replacement component. Instead, they’ll send me the depreciated value of the equipment. 

The other huge downside – and this is a key takeaway – is LG no longer supports their monitoring platform. I got around this by installing a Sense, but this is an important takeaway if you’re considering solar: will the companies be around to support the components for the life of the system? 

Image of the author's solar panels being installed on his roof

Performance and Price Differences in Going Solar Today vs 2019

A roadblock for a lot of people to go solar is the idea that solar panels keep getting more efficient and cheaper. In 2019, I installed 375w DC panels coupled with 320w AC micro inverters. Today, I’d likely install REC Pure RX 460w modules coupled with Enphase 8x microinverters with a peak output of 375w AC. So, yes, I’d have a more efficient system today, but since my array is now fully paid for I’m glad I didn’t wait. 

The other big question is cost. While the hardware is cheaper in 2025 the overall installation cost isn’t much lower, due to inflation, higher labor rates, tariffs, and higher cost of financing. So, could I have achieved a lower cost if I waited? Maybe. But I’m glad I “locked in” solar when I did. 

Get custom proposals an REC + Enphase solar array for your home.

 

Choosing an Installer

Believe it or not, I actually spoke to an Energy Advisor at the predecessor company for solar.com (PickMySolar). At the time, they didn’t offer coverage in my area (today they do), but the energy advisor still took the time to run a simulation for me and make technology recommendations. 

I spoke with—and received quotes from— multiple local installers. I also reached out to my town’s inspector and asked who they would use if they were installing solar. I went with a great local company that is still thriving today and I can trust that if I need anything they’ll pick up the phone or respond to an email. 

Final Thoughts After 6 Years with Solar

Making the investment to go solar was the right move. Today’s me thanks 2019 me. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that going solar is about answering three questions. 

Am I installing the right technology? Although I’m happy my manufacturer still backs its warranty, it would be nice if they were still in solar. Selecting high-performing, reliable technology backed by a bankable company was the right move, and I’d do it again today—even at a premium over the “cheap stuff.” 

Am I working with the right company? Your local installation partner is a vital piece of the puzzle. I’m glad I worked with a local contractor and not a national outfit. I’ve referred friends and neighbors to them (had I worked through solar.com I would have earned $599 per referral!). If I were to do it again today, I’d absolutely get multiple quotes through a platform like solar.com to help me navigate the process.

Do the proposals meet my financial objective? I ended up paying for my system outright, which gave me the best return on investment. Claiming the tax credit was simple and so was claiming my state incentives. 

With all of the uncertainty today around tariffs, the future of the solar tax credits, and the cost of electricity, I’d encourage you to take the leap and consider going solar. You in six years will likely look back and thank today’s you.