Solar panels are vulnerable to hailstorm damage including cracks and scratches which may reduce efficiency. Many solar panels can endure mild hail, but bigger hailstones might be dangerous.
Choosing high-quality panels that fulfill strict durability criteria, using protective coverings, and maybe adding wire mesh or angle adjustments are key. These solutions can help homeowners make their solar energy systems more resilient to extreme weather. However, in the article, we will discuss how to protect solar panels from hail so you can prevent hail damage.
How to Protect Solar Panels from Hail?
1. Choose High-Quality Solar Panels
The first and most important thing you can do to protect your investment from hail damage is to buy high-quality solar cells. Not every solar panel is the same, and some are made to resist harsh weather, like hail. When looking for solar panels, look for ones that have been certified by UL 61730 and IEC 61215 and have been tried to see how well they handle storms. These certificates show that the panels have been put through a lot of tests to make sure they are safe and durable.
For example, panels with the UL 61730 rating can handle hailstones up to three inches across that are moving at 88.3 miles per hour. Also, think about panels with toughened glass on the outside; these tend to be more resistant to damage than regular glass. Buying high-quality solar panels will not only keep them from hail damage, but they will also make your system run better and use less energy, so you get the most out of it.
2. Install Protective Covers
Putting protection covers on your solar panels is a good way to keep hail damage away. You should think about two main types of covers: hard shell covers and soft covers. With hard metal covers, your panels will be safe from lightning and other debris, so they will stay together during bad weather. Most of the time, these covers are made of strong materials that can handle being hit hard, and they are meant to fit snugly over the panels.
Podded covers, on the other hand, are flexible and soft enough to absorb the shock of hail hits. They are light and simple to set up, which makes them a good choice for homes. But it’s important to take these covers off after the storm so that sunshine can reach the panels and keep them making energy. No matter what kind of cover you pick, making sure it fits right and is tightly connected will make it work better to protect your solar panels from hail damage.
3. Utilize Methacrylate Coating
Putting an acrylic covering on your solar panels can make them even more resistant to hail and other weather factors. A type of polymer called methacrylate is known for being strong and long-lasting. Putting this covering on solar panels makes them more resistant to hailstones while still letting sunlight pass through them easily.
The application process is pretty easy, and a professional provider can often do it for you. However, this not only makes the solar panels last longer but it also keeps them working well by keeping the solar cells from getting damaged.
4. Adjust Panel Angles
How your solar panels are set up can have a big effect on how likely they are to get damaged by hail. Take advantage of any moving or movable points that your solar panel system has during a rainstorm. If you change the tilt of the panels, hailstones will not hit them as directly, which lowers the risk of damage.
For example, turning the panels away from the direction of the hail can help the stones miss, making the effect less powerful. If you live in a place where bad weather is common, you might want to buy a solar tracking system that changes the angle of the panels automatically based on the weather.
This preventative step will not only protect your investment, but it can also help you make more energy by capturing sunlight at the best angle. If you keep an eye on weather reports and are ready to make changes, you can greatly lower the chance that hail will damage your solar panels.
5. Install a Fine Wire Mesh
Putting up a fine wire mesh around your solar panels can protect them from damage from hail. It lets sunlight through, but hailstones can’t hit the panels directly because of this physical safety. The mesh should be made of strong materials that won’t break easily and won’t get in the way of sun energy production.
Make sure that the mesh is firmly attached and set up at the right distance from the panels so that it doesn’t block the light. The screen may also have other uses like keeping you safe from falling tree branches and other natural dangers. This option might cost more at first, but it will protect you from hail damage for a long time, so you won’t have to pay for expensive fixes or replacements. A properly placed screen can also make your solar energy system last longer and be more reliable.
6. Regular Inspections and Maintenance
It is important to check and maintain your solar panels on a daily basis so that you can find and fix problems before they get worse. It’s important to look at your panels for harm like cracks, chips, or scratches right away after a thunderstorm. In addition, users should be aware of Common Issues with SolarEdge Inverters, such as system shutdowns, faulty connections, or overvoltage errors, which can impact the overall efficiency of the solar power system. Regular monitoring can help prevent these issues from escalating.
In addition to inspections after a storm, you should plan to do regular upkeep checks at least once or twice a year. During these checks, clean the panels to get rid of dust, dirt, and anything else that might get in the way of their function. If you see any damage, you should call a skilled solar mechanic to look at it and tell you what needs to be fixed. Finding problems early on can keep them from getting worse and help your solar panels keep producing the most energy possible.
7. Stay Informed About Weather Conditions
To keep your solar panels safe from hail damage, you can take the initiative to learn about the weather. Keep an eye on predictions with weather apps, local news, and meteorological services, especially when storms are coming. If bad weather, like hail, is expected, make sure your solar energy system is safe by taking the right steps.
For example, if you know a hailstorm is coming, you might want to put up protected covers, change the positions of your panels, or even move anything that could make the damage worse for a short time. If you are ready and take action, hail damage to your solar cells is much less likely to happen. By joining online or local community groups that focus on solar energy, you can also get useful information and advice from other people who have dealt with similar weather problems.
8. Consider Insurance Coverage
Lastly, it’s important to make sure that hail damage to your solar cells is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. A lot of normal homeowner’s insurance plans cover solar energy systems, but it’s important to read your policy carefully to know what it covers. You should talk to your insurance company to find out what is covered and if you need to add any extra coverage for hail damage.
Having enough insurance can give you peace of mind and protect your finances in case of harsh weather that does a lot of harm. If hail damages your solar panels, insurance can help pay for the costs of fixing or replacing them, so you can get your solar energy system back up and running quickly. You can make sure you’re properly protected by checking your insurance policy on a regular basis, especially after making changes or updates to your solar setup.
Conclusion
Solar panels must be protected against hail to preserve performance and longevity. Choose high-quality panels, use protective covers, apply methacrylate coatings, adjust angles, install wire mesh, inspect regularly, stay informed about weather conditions, and get adequate insurance to protect your investment.
These solutions let you use solar energy without hail damage. If you’re contemplating solar panels or need help with protection, Get a Quote now.