A solar panel guard is a physical barrier typically installed between or on the sides of the solar panels to protect them from snow. Snow guards protect your family from mini avalanches resulting from residential solar. A snow guard captures the snow slides off the PV array, prevents the snow from falling on your solar panels efficiently, and keeps your home energy balanced. There are many types of solar guards available in the market. Some of the top-rated snow guards are described below.
- Snow Pad
A small bracket type system is installed between each solar panel called a snow pad. These brackets slow down the melting process and slide down the snow and ice. Thus, it reduces the threat of sudden avalanches.
- Snow Rail
A series of brackets installed on the bottom side of the solar PV panel system is called snow rail. Because it looks like a rail line, and it’s named after that. It prevents the snow slide, cuts them into small sections, and slides down the snow and ice.
- Clamp-on Snow Guards
Being attached at the edges of solar panels or in between them, clamp-on snow guards are helpful in releasing small patches of snow slowly. They also hold the snow on the solar panel until it melts naturally. For this reason, the efficiency of the solar system may decrease.
- Alpine Snow-Guards
These solar panels are installed by using screws on clamps on the surface of the solar panel frame. Alpine snow guards are generally made from recycled materials. And there are two types of alpine snow guard available.
source:https://www.techpeak.co/snow-guard-different-types-of-snow-guards/