Alpine Snow Guards are an advanced snow management solution designed to protect your property from damage caused by increased snow avalanching after solar panels are installed on your roof.
When solar panels are added, the roof’s snow-shedding behavior changes significantly. Alpine Snow Guards help control snow and ice movement, reducing the risk of sudden, dangerous slides. Backed by nearly a decade of research and development, this proven three-part system has been extensively performance-tested at Alpine’s in-house research facility.
Bains Solar follows Alpine’s Guide for Solar Arrays & Snow Management on Shingle Roofs, which explains how snow and ice interact with solar panels installed on shingle roofs. Our expertise ensures best practices are applied to protect your property and maximize system safety.
Snow typically accumulates evenly across a roof. As temperatures rise and sunlight increases, snow begins to melt. Meltwater flows through the snowpack to the roof surface, creating a lubricated layer that allows snow to slide. On traditional shingle roofs, surface granules provide friction while still allowing meltwater to drain. This friction helps prevent snow and ice from sliding off too easily. Most shingle roofs have pitches ranging
The friction created by shingle granules is lost once glass solar panels are installed. In snowy regions, solar arrays on roofs with a pitch of 2/12 or greater are likely to shed snow and ice suddenly in avalanche-like events, increasing the risk of damage and injury.
Snow and ice sliding off solar panels can cause serious property damage and pose safety risks to people and pets. Commonly affected areas and items include: Gutters Plumbing vent pipes, Lower roof sections, Skylights, Shrubs and landscaping, Vehicles, Decks and patios, Hot tubs.
At a minimum, all new solar installations should address key areas such as entry and exit points, walkways, driveways, and gathering spaces like decks. Other vulnerable areas—such as gutters, roof vents, shrubs, and lower roof sections—should also be considered. Often, homeowners recognize the need for additional protection after experiencing snow shedding during the first winter or two following installation.
Copyright © 2026 Bains Solar