Blog > Solar Canopies For Canadian Weather
July 14, 2025 by VCT Group
Canada’s winters aren’t shy. Heavy snow, biting winds, freeze-thaw cycles, our seasons severely test our infrastructure. So how does solar stand up to that? If you’re considering a solar carport/canopy for your business, EV charging area, or parking lot, you might be wondering: can solar canopies really handle all that snow?
The short answer is yes!
How Much Snow Can a Solar Carport Handle?
High snow-load solar carports/canopies are specifically engineered to meet and exceed the demands of Canadian winters. Most high snow-load solar canopies are designed to handle 60 to 120 pounds per square foot, and in some northern applications, even more. That’s equivalent to well over a metre of wet, packed snow.
These systems are specifically engineered to meet and exceed the demands of Canadian winters. At VCT Group, we make sure every canopy is designed to your site-specific conditions, giving you peace of mind all season long.
Canadian Weather Demands More
Snow doesn’t fall gently across the country. It drifts, compacts, melts, and re-freezes. Some regions get hit with lake-effect squalls; others endure weeks of dense, wet accumulation. The National Building Code of Canada considers all of this, and these standards inform our structural designs ensuring they are engineered with ample safety margins. Your solar carport needs to do more than just look strong. It must be engineered for:
• High snow accumulation
• Freeze-thaw cycling
• Wind uplift and drifting loads
• Long-term durability in fluctuating temperatures
How High Snow-Load Carports Are Built to Endure
There’s smart engineering behind every successful winter-ready solar canopy:
• Reinforced structures: I beams and robust cross-members keep everything stable, even in extreme snow loads.
• Angled panels: Designed to shed snow naturally and maximize winter sunlight.
• Custom tilt & spacing: Optimized based on your location’s typical snowfall and sun path.
• Safety factors built-in: Designs don’t just meet minimum requirements, they exceed them: factoring in wind drift, ice buildup, and operational longevity.
Why High Snow-Load Solar Carports Are Worth It
High snow-load solar carports don’t just survive winter, they thrive in it. Here’s what that means for your business:
• Reliable performance: Cold, sunny days actually improve panel efficiency. With the right tilt and design, snow won’t hold your system back.
• Less maintenance: Smart design means minimal snow removal, and no risk of mid-winter structural surprises.
• Dual-purpose space: Carports provide covered parking or protected space year-round, and often integrate EV charging infrastructure.
• Future-proof investment: Built to last decades, with the strength to face whatever winter throws at them.
Heliostation Carports. Designed for Canadian winters, backed by VCT Group!
At VCT Group, we’ve completed over 300 commercial solar projects since 2008, including rooftop arrays, ground mounts, and solar carports/canopies that stand strong through Ontario’s harshest months. It’s why we build our Heliostation™ Solar Carports from aluminum for its natural corrosion resistance, lighter weight for efficient and safe construction, and no-weld design. Not only are they engineered for Canada’s winters, but their patent-pending design is watertight by design, preventing drips and ice buildup.
Whether it’s a carport for EVs or a large commercial canopy, our approach is the same: smart design, reliable construction, and ongoing support. Our high snow-load canopies come with full monitoring, maintenance, and performance optimization – because we don’t just build systems, we back them up as well.
Looking to go solar? Reach out to our team for your free site assessment and learn how solar can add value to your property and business – no matter the weather!