> solar panels still work under snow

Not really. Power is generated in the area where the snow slid, not through thick snow.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/let-it-snow-how-solar-panels-can-thrive-winter-weather

> Light is able to forward scatter through a sparse coating, reaching the panel to produce electricity. It's a different story when heavy snow accumulates, which prevents PV panels from generating power. Once the snow starts to slide, though, even if it only slightly exposes the panel, power generation is able to occur again.