Does Hail Damage Solar Panels

In may of 2017 a particularly intense hail storm tore through the front range.

Does hail damage solar panels.

The whole solar panel is covered in a layer of tempered glass. While hail certainly could damage some types of solar panels the likelihood is very small and occurrences are extremely rare. However extreme weather can damage the glass. Can hail damage your solar panels.

You can take preventative steps when installing the panels if you live in a climate that usually sees a lot of hail. However just like your car windscreen can sometimes get damaged by extreme hail the same can happen to your panels. Many solar electric modules and solar hot water collectors are made. Most panels are tested according to the moderate hail damage test comprising 25mm hailstones that weigh 7 53 grams.

One inch hail about the size of a quarter is considered severe by the nws so your panels should survive even severe hailstorms just fine. Unfortunately there s little you can do to protect your solar panels from the damaging hail when a storm hits. There s a severe hail damage resistance test which tests panels for cricket ball sized hailstones. Solar panels and hail damage can happen in the blink of an eye.

Solar panels are rated using two class systems. Hail storms can wreak havoc on your home and solar panels. Hail may be an impressive physical force but solar panels are well equipped to withstand impacts even from large hailstones. This glass is a key component of the panel as it ensures as much light as possible is filtered into the silicon cells.

However the chances of hail actually damaging panels is slim to none. Solar panels and hurricanes with high wind speeds and heavy rain solar panels may be at risk of being dislodged from their spot or damaged by high volumes of water. Solar panels are designed to withstand weather including hail and thunderstorms. Solar panels are designed to withstand one inch hail flying at 51 miles per hour.

Here s a video of what that testing looks like. For the most part no.