Property owners are swarming to solar energy, which is a sustainable and inexpensive way to generate electricity. However, if hailstorms are frequent in your area, you’ll unavoidably be concerned about how they might affect the solar panels.
In order to avoid worrying about how much it will cost for repairs in the future, it is crucial to understand how to protect your solar panels from hail damage. Purchasing protective covers, carrying out regular maintenance, and acting on weather alerts are all reliable ways to shield solar panels from hail.
Please continue reading if you’re interested in learning more about hail protection for solar panels.
Are Solar Panels Susceptible To Hail Damage?
It’s no secret that some states, most notably Colorado, have unpredictable weather. There are roughly 300 days of glorious sunshine each year, but the remaining 60 days are cold. Weather is a major concern for homeowners because it frequently includes thunderstorms, downpours, and hailstorms.
In response to the question of whether solar panels are susceptible to hail damage, we say yes. However, home insurance policies will cater to it should it happen. However, it’s unlikely that hail will harm your solar panels.
During a hailstorm, they might perform less effectively, but once the weather returns to normal, they’ll resume producing energy at the usual rate. Solar panels aren’t impervious to damage, but they are frequently made to withstand the effects of various weather conditions, particularly hail.
Ice fragments known as hailstones are a type of precipitation that accumulates in the sky and falls as rain. On occasion, as they descend from the clouds, they pick up water drops. And when that occurs, the chunks grow bigger and riskier, sometimes reaching the size of a tennis ball.
However, a pea-sized hailstone’s star-shaped microcrack, which it often leaves behind, may go unnoticed because it’s so small. The amount of damage is determined by the solar panels installation and placement on the roof, the technology of the system, the size of the hailstones, and the duration of the hailstorm.
In short, hail can be an inconvenience for homeowners who have solar panels. It may pierce the glass’s surface or even make conductors of electricity inside the panels, rendering them useless.
How To Protect Solar Panels From Hail?
Use Protective Covers
Solar panel scratch and light debris protection are provided by these temporary covers made of clothing materials. In addition, it shields the surface from other weather-related hazards like hail damage.
However, they are useless against strong winds. Make sure it has strong sides and openings for the panel’s legs when choosing one for your roof. However, choose one with a mesh top and no bottom if you don’t want to completely enclose them.
Some protective covers also have side openings that are made to facilitate quick repairs by workers without requiring extensive disassembly.
According to studies, sturdy protective covers can shield the surfaces of solar panels from hail up to an inch in diameter. It is 80–90% effective against weather factors. To avoid dirt accumulation, regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary.
Use A Layer Of Methacrylate
Methacrylate is a typical monomer found in polymer plastic and can shield your solar panels from weather conditions like rain, strong winds, and hail. The resistance of this substance to hail is particularly well-known.
In order to shield solar panels from even the worst weather conditions, Plexiglas is a transparent material.
Additionally, due to its transparent design, it doesn’t block sunlight, ensuring that the solar cells’ efficiency is unaffected. As a result, regardless of weather changes, the sun can still pay your bills.
It can either be added as a thin layer or sprayed onto the panels’ surface. However, if you’re spraying, it’s best to stay away from areas that conduct electricity, such as the metal components.
Additionally, if you don’t use the proper quantity, it won’t work. Too little or too much will prevent the sun’s access, respectively. Many homeowners assert that this is the more economical way to shield solar panels from hail, and they are correct.
You just need to spend some time applying this spray to the solar panels after buying it.
Purchase The Right Panels
It should be obvious that not all solar panels are constructed in the same way.
Select a material that is appropriate for your climate because different materials may be better suited for it. A “hail test” certification will be visible on the structure, so make sure it has been tested for hail damage before purchasing from any brand. Alternatively, you could look up the company’s online profile.
The brand’s years of warranty should also be checked. It’s one of the factors that can help you determine whether the solar panels will be safe even during severe weather.
Build A Wire Gauge
Another choice is to construct a wire gauge to guard the solar panels. To make this protective cover, you’ll need wire mesh or PVC pipe material, but you won’t spend more than $50.
However, there are some factors to take into account, such as the number of wires needed to adequately protect the panels from wind and hail. Additionally, they must not hinder the sun’s ability to shine through.
Get An Automatic Solar Panel Angle System
No matter how severe the weather conditions are, you will always have access to sunlight thanks to an automatic solar panel. Regarding hail, solar panels are most exposed at the angle where sunlight is available.
Installing an automatic solar panel angle system will allow you to control the angle with a remote, giving you greater control over what strikes the surface. You should check the weather forecast before you leave the house so you can determine the best protection for solar panels.
Pay Attention To Weather Forecasts
Property owners with solar systems need to take into account this additional crucial point. By paying attention to the weather forecast, you can use this technology to increase its lifespan and guarantee greater effectiveness.
It aids in maintenance by enabling you to decide how frequently to clean, how to prevent water damage, and how to prepare adequately for weather changes.
Think about weather-monitoring apps made specifically for property owners with solar systems.
Inspect The Solar Panels
Solar panels are strong, but if you don’t give them regular care, they won’t last as long. Strong winds, hail damage, and other factors can damage the building, but if you check on it regularly, you can save it before things get worse.
There are no special skills required for inspecting the panels; it is simple. Since cracks frequently affect the system’s ability to produce energy, the first step is to check the glass for them.
Examining the panel frames is another thing to do. They may be a sign that something is wrong if they are bent or warped. Additionally, look for indications of weather damage on the racking system, such as warping, bends, cracked metal, and corrosion.
The energy production of this technology can be negatively impacted by even the smallest crack. When hailstorms are more common, you must therefore pay attention to them.
A professional should ideally be called if there are any anomalies or signs that the grid inverter is about to spoil.
Use A Monitoring App
If you pay attention to things like the voltage meter, it will be simpler to monitor system performance. You’ll be aware of what to do when it eventually fades.
What To Do When Your Solar Panels Are Damaged By Hail
There are many signs that solar panels can withstand some extreme weather, and there are simple precautions you can take to prevent damage, but there is always a chance that a particularly bad storm will damage your solar panels.
In this situation, it’s best to make sure you have a backup plan in place to lessen the financial effects if the worst occurs.
Make Sure You’re Insured
Solar panels are no different from other types of property in that insurance is a common way to protect yourself against unforeseen damage.
Your home’s roof-mounted solar panels are a structural component and might be automatically covered by your homeowners’ insurance. Never, however, assume that you are protected. To learn more about your coverage, read the small print in your insurance policy and contact your provider.
Your home’s market value could change if you install a solar energy system. Before installation, it might be a good idea to call your provider and ask whether installing solar panels on your roof will increase your premiums.
Your service provider might classify adding solar panels to an RV as “customization,” which refers to any alterations you make to the vehicle after it leaves the factory.
To learn how customization affects your policy, contact your provider. You might need to upgrade your insurance coverage to include such additions. Whether installing solar panels will void the car’s warranty is something else to consider.
Save Money By Repairing, Not Replacing
Solar panels are pricey, and replacing one can put a strain on your finances, particularly if you don’t have insurance.
Additionally, the production of solar panels uses a lot of energy, water, and chemicals, so you might want to give them some thought before disposing of them if you care about the environment.
The good news is that a complete replacement might not be required, depending on the extent of the damage to your panels.
Numerous solar panel parts, in particular the mounting frame, wires, connectors, and backing, can frequently be changed quickly and inexpensively. Repairing the glass covering and the cells themselves is a more contentious matter.
An epoxy resin or plastic film may be used in some situations to replace or waterproof a cracked glass covering. Some owners choose to do their own repairs, but it might be best to consult a professional, especially if your warranty is still in effect because doing the modification yourself will void it.
Final Thoughts
You should be concerned about safeguarding the solar panels’ delicate glass surface if you live in a region where hailstorms occur frequently. Given how expensive solar energy systems are, it’s critical to make sure your investment will be profitable rather than placing additional strain on your finances.