Solar panels are vulnerable to damage from storms of many kinds, including hurricanes, blizzards, and severe winds. Speaking about measures to protect your solar panels, many people are most worried about hail storms. Thankfully, widespread severe hail storms are rare, and most solar panels are resistant to mild to moderate damage. The probability of hail-breaking solar panels is less than 5%, according to research conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Solar panels hail damage is unlikely, but not impossible. Those who make their homes in states like Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado, where hail is a regular occurrence, would do well to research the effects of hail on solar panels. You may use this data to determine what precautions to protect your solar panels and keep them safe from damage during severe storms.
What you should know about hail
Hail, a kind of precipitation common during thunderstorms, consists of ice balls ranging in size from very tiny to very big. It takes shape as the thunderstorm’s updrafts lift raindrops into the cooler upper atmosphere, where they freeze. These frozen droplets are picked up by the updrafts and lifted higher and higher until they become too heavy for the updrafts to carry them any further, at which point they crash into the earth. Hail may range in size from tiny pebbles to boulder-sized chunks. Immediate actions to protect your solar panels are required if the hailstones are big enough, else damaging solar panels may occur.
The damage that hail does to solar panels
Hail may be problematic for solar panels since hailstones’ physical contact can cause physical damage to the panels, lowering their efficiency and perhaps rendering them inoperable. Damage to the glass surface of solar panels by hailstones is detrimental to their capacity to produce power because of fractures, scratches, and other imperfections. Hail may also cause structural damage to solar panels’ frames and mounting systems, reducing their reliability and useful life.
Solar panels hail damage is proportional to the size and velocity of the hailstones, the direction and angle of contact, and the quality and endurance of the solar panel components. Nevertheless, not all solar panels are created equal. Some may be more susceptible to damage from hail and other harsh weather conditions, while others can withstand more.
Preventing solar panels hail damage
Hail may cause serious damaging solar panels, however, there are various techniques to protect your solar panels:
- Choose solar panels made of high-quality materials that can survive drops and rough weather. Consider investing in panels with stronger glass or reinforced frames, and prioritize those that have been tested and certified to meet industry requirements for hail protection.
- Place solar panels in shady places or near sturdy structures to protect your solar panels and reduce their vulnerability to hail.
- Protect your solar panels from damage caused by hail by installing hail guards or protective screens over them. Materials like metal mesh, polycarbonate, and tempered glass may be used to make these.
- Coverage against solar panels hail damage should be included in your insurance plan for solar panels.
- Keep an eye on the forecast and take precautions, such as shutting down the system or covering the solar panels with a tarp, if a hailstorm is predicted.
By adopting these precautions, you may protect your solar panels and lessen the risk that panels will be damaged by severe weather and continue to produce power during storms.
Steps to follow if you experienced solar panels hail damage
Take immediate action if you discover that hail or other severe weather has damaged your solar panels. The following are some suggestions:
- Check the panels out. Examine each panel for obvious indications of wear and tear, such as broken or chipped glass, dents or scratches on the frame, or missing screws or other hardware. Contact a professional solar installer or technician for an inspection if you have any doubts about the condition of the panels and the degree of solar panels hail damage.
- Turn the system off. If the damage is severe or you have doubts about the system’s safety, you should turn off the solar panels and unplug them from the power grid. In doing so, you will protect your solar panels from more electrical problems.
- Get in touch with the solar panel maker. If your solar panels are still covered by their manufacturer’s warranty, you should get in touch with them immediately to report the solar panels hail damage and begin the warranty claim procedure.
- Make a call to your insurance company. If your solar panels were insured, you should get in touch with your insurance company to file a claim.
- Get help from a qualified technician or installation. Depending on the severity of solar panels hail damage, you may need to have the panels installed or replaced by a professional installer or technician. If you want the job done well, and securely, it’s imperative that you choose an expert who has relevant expertise.
These measures can help have your solar panel system fixed or replaced fast so you may keep reaping the advantages of solar power for as long as feasible.
FAQs
What happens if a solar panel is cracked?
Little flaws in solar panels don’t affect their performance. The array’s performance degrades as fractures become larger. When the fractures are big enough, the panel might catch fire.
What is the degree of solar panels hail durability?
In most cases, solar panels will not be damaged by hail. Hailstorms are more common and intense in different sections of the nation, therefore damage might occur. If you reside there, be sure you use high-quality materials and take precautions to safeguard your investment.
Can solar panels be repaired after being hit by hail?
In most cases, a solar panel that has been damaged by hail may be fixed. If your solar panel’s glass or other photovoltaic system components need fixing, a professional repair service can have you back up and running in no time.
