Home Solar Panels Hail Damage

In most cases solar panels are tested and certified to withstand hail of up to 25 mm one inch falling at 23 meters per second approximately 50 miles per hour.

Home solar panels hail damage.

In may of 2017 a particularly intense hail storm tore through the front range. Many solar electric modules and solar hot water collectors are made. One minute the sun is shining bright across the lone star state then suddenly debris the size of golfballs rattles down and wreaks havoc that s often expensive and stressful to repair. If a thunderstorm starts spitting baseball sized hail from the sky there are few structures that will escape unharmed including solar panels.

First because the panels are installed at an angle they usually only receive a glancing blow from hailstones. Solar panel manufacturers test their products to ensure that they are capable of withstanding hail storms. While hail certainly could damage some types of solar panels the likelihood is very small and occurrences are extremely rare. This is because if one part of a solar panel is damaged the energy output loss is considerable and almost as if you lost the entire panel.

In short yes hail can damage solar panels and most home insurance policies cover that damage. Installing smaller solar panels can reduce the damage caused during a hail storm. You can reduce the loss of energy output by reducing the size of the solar panels. Solar panels and hail damage can happen in the blink of an eye.

However just like your car windscreen can sometimes get damaged by extreme hail the same can happen to your panels. Study your situation. However the chances of hail actually damaging panels is slim to none. Solar panels are designed to withstand weather including hail and thunderstorms.

When it comes to home use the pv panels usually sit on the roof where they remain exposed to the elements. Poor quality solar panels are particularly susceptible to damage. Any solar panel you install on your home today is rated to withstand severe hail but there are extreme hail events that can damage even the strongest panels.