Should solar module frame drainage holes be kept clear of clamps and sealant?

Yes. Keep the module frame’s drainage holes unobstructed during installation and operation. Trina Solar’s Vertex manual says the drain holes must not be blocked in any situation; Canadian Solar’s July 2026 installation manual also says they should not be blocked. In practice, do not cover these openings with clamps, sealant, debris or other materials. Check the exact module model’s installation manual and the mounting-system drawing before fixing clamps or applying sealing materials. Do not drill extra holes or modify the frame to create a drainage path. If a mounting or sealing detail conflicts with a drainage opening, obtain guidance from the module and mounting-system suppliers before installation.

Sources: Trina Solar, Vertex Series User Manual, section 6.1: https://static.trinasolar.com/sites/default/files/UM-M-0002G_TrinaSolarVertexSeriesUserManual_EN_0.pdf Canadian Solar, PV Modules Installation Manual US-Rev IM/GN-EN/3.3 (July 2026), page 14: https://www.canadiansolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/CS_Installation-Manual_PV-Modules_US-v3.3-EN.pdf