and placing it above (not on top of) your system can help. it's not clear what the long term affect might be on your system and your roof– especially a metal roof– and this approach may need some additional research.
heat tape– heat tape is another great idea for keeping snow and ice from gathering on your panels. this method, however, needs to have been in place long before the snow flies to be effective. it's never safe to get up on your roof, so if you plan to place and use heat tape to keep the snow off your system please do so in dry safe conditions.
as your system ages, 