Most structural engineers I've seen take a reduction for slippery surface but I think you'd be stretching things to say adding PV panels reduces the load to zero. I have a 45 degree pitch roof and I get snow build up some times especially if we get freezing rain before the snow.
Also if you have an asphalt shingle roof you can create an unbalanced load with snow sliding off the south side and sticking on the north side. Most engineers take this into consideration too. Thanks, Will __________________________________________________________________________________________ Will White Regional Field Operations Manager - New England Real Goods Solar 64 Main St. Montpelier, VT 05602 Tel: (802) 223-7804 Cell: (802) 234-3167 www.realgoodssolar.com<http://www.realgoodssolar.com/> From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Gary Bassett Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:48 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] Snow loads Has anyone in the snow belt areas have any luck with convincing their local building inspectors that the snow melts or slides from panels, much like a metal roof only better. Thus your snow load would be reduced to zero where the panels have been installed. Gary
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