Snow and ice can avalanche off a low-friction, sloped roof and pose a hazard to people and property below. Since solar panels are dark and designed to capture the sun’s energy, their surface is warmer than that of the roof. Additionally, they have a lot less friction than your typical roof material. Normally, when snow hits the roof, it sticks and eventually melts away. However, when snow falls on the warmer, slicker solar panel surface, it melts and slides down the solar panel all at once. This large pile of snow could damage your roof, or anything underneath it when it falls.