Solving slippery solar with innovative solutions

By Dani Sheehan. 

Mother Nature is unpredictable. Be ready with reliable snow retention for solar roofs. 

We are constantly evolving to incorporate new technologies, but with innovative designs come new challenges. Solar roofs are one such advancement that are quickly gaining popularity, but when it comes to adding rooftop accessories like snow guards after installation, you may not know where to start. 

TRA Snow and Sun has long been known for practical, forward-thinking snow retention products. Now, they’ve brought that same innovation to solar roofing systems with a bracket designed specifically for Tesla’s glass solar shingles.  

The problem: Slippery roofs and retrofit nightmares 

Traditional roofing materials, like asphalt, naturally offer some grip. Solar roofs, on the other hand, are smooth glass surfaces mounted at a pitch – essentially the perfect launchpad for snow and ice buildup to release all at once. The result? Avalanching snow, property damage and liability concerns. Even in lower snow load regions (as little as 26 pounds of snow per square foot), contractors are now seeing retrofit requests for snow retention on roofs that were supposed to be maintenance free. 

The issue is, retrofitting a snow guard system on a roof with solar shingles typically requires removing parts of the roof. This is not only expensive, but it can also be time-consuming and cause safety concerns for contractors.  

The solution: Faux Panel Mount 

TRA’s Faux Panel Mount provides a way to install essential roof accessories, like snow fences, on solar shingle systems without disturbing the roof. The mount is attached below the faux solar shingles that are designed to look like a standard solar panel with a “snow blocker” attachment on the top side of the faux panel.  

This two-rail system fastens directly to the roof deck, offering exceptional strength and durability. Engineered and tested for performance, it allows for the secure installation of the snow blocker tube snow fences that help prevent dangerous snow slides. 

Think of it like the evolution we saw with metal roofing. While metal offers longevity and performance, contractors quickly learned it had its own quirks, including snow and ice shedding. Solar glass panels are even more slippery, especially with the heat they generate. The Faux Panel Mount ensures you can offer a snow retention plan right from the start, without expensive retrofitting later. 

Key features include: 

• Easy installation on new construction 
• Engineered and tested for solar shingle roofs 
• Fastens to the roof deck for superior strength 
• Two-rail design for stability 
• Custom powder coating available to match roof colors 
• Compatible with clamp-on tube snow fences 
• Optional ice flags and butyl flashing for added protection 

With TRA Snow and Sun’s Faux Panel Mount, you can not only keep up with technology but stay ahead of it.