Snow load for flat roof

[BobinAnd]

We're installers in Massachusetts. Last winter there were incredible amounts of snow, which is giving some flat roof commercial owners concerns with installs due to loading. Does anybody know of solutions?

[Wy_White_Wolf]

We're installers in Massachusetts. Last winter there were incredible amounts of snow, which is giving some flat roof commercial owners concerns with installs due to loading. Does anybody know of solutions?

Are there conserns that the roof won't handle the wieght for the solar array and the snow? or that the panels can't handle the wieght?

You can check the specs of the panels. Somewhere they should have a load rating. It should be at least the snow load rating required for flat roofs in your area. If not then you should find a different panel that has those ratings.

If they are worried about the roof that is why one should have a structural engineer look at the site before installing panels on the roof.

[peakbagger]

If its a commercial building you most likely will need a structural engineer to sign off on the loading and you just have to hope that the design snow load has not been increased since the building was built. There generally isnt a low cost way to add strength to a roof if you need it and I expect it may be what kills a project.