Homes or windows and doors are highly likely to be blown away in high intensity extreme hurricanes, so solar homeowners are starting to worry about what will happen to their solar panels? Are they damaged?
What happens to solar panels in a hurricane?
1. In most cases, solar panels are not damaged in a hurricane.
1.1 We all know that solar panels don’t come cheap, and that’s because manufacturers put a lot of effort into quality assurance to make sure that they will be able to stand up to extremely harsh environments.
Solar panels usually come with tempered glass as the front protective glass, which is impact resistant and can withstand normal hail.
Solar panels are usually fitted with low-iron, ultra-white sensitized glass as the front protective glass, which is impact resistant and can withstand normal hail.
The quality of solar panels made varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, with cheap solar panels often being of poorer quality than good quality solar panels. Whatever type of solar panel is manufactured, it is often rigorously tested to withstand extreme weather.
1.2 When we buy solar panels, solar panel manufacturers guarantee their robustness. As a precautionary measure, we prioritize the installation of good quality solar panels when we install them.
2. It is possible to damage solar panels in extreme situations.
2.1 When a hurricane strikes, not only does it bring strong winds, but the strong winds may also pick up large hailstones, small rocks, tree branches, etc. together with the glass of our houses and the installed solar panels. Strong hurricanes not only come with stronger wind speeds than usual, but also blow solar panels from multiple directions, at this time, solar panels are very vulnerable to damage, which is relatively rare.
2.2 If the solar panels are mounted and fixed slightly above the roof, the blowing wind may cause lift problems. However, there are large tension bolts in the solar system that secure the panels to the roof beams to balance the uplift. As a result, the likelihood of the wind toppling the solar panels off the roof and breaking the panels is reduced. However, the potential for damage still exists if not properly maintained or if the home is built with poor construction techniques.
What do you need to do with your solar system before a hurricane?
1. Check that all equipment in your solar system is securely attached and choose Top fastener suppliers. If you are installing rigid solar panels, also double-check that the attachments that hold the array to the frame are secure.
If you are installing flexible solar panels, it is often the case that the installer secures the thin film panels by using adhesives. You need to make sure that all parts are glued securely.
2. Tighten the screws that attach the solar equipment and the frame that holds the solar panels in place.
3. Take pictures of the solar system (solar panels and their equipment) and keep evidence of them. After a hurricane, the solar panels may need to be repaired and replaced. These photos can be used as evidence that the solar panels were caused by severe weather so that you can get a claim from your insurance company to repair the solar panels.
4. Turn off the power to your solar system. Turning off the power prevents household appliances connected to the solar system from being damaged.
5. Prevent water from seeping into your solar panels.
5.1 Regardless of the time of year, your solar system needs to be regularly inspected for cracks to prevent water from entering. This is even more important to check before a hurricane makes landfall, as any cracks can cause water to enter the solar panels during a hurricane, which can damage the batteries.
5.2 You also need to check that drainage areas are not blocked to prevent water from pooling in the solar system.
6. In the case of a particularly strong hurricane, where the weather forecast informs of a high intensity hurricane making landfall, you may also choose to remove the solar panels, and after the hurricane has passed, put them back on. Although this is a bit time consuming and labor intensive, it will prevent the solar panels from being damaged.
What should I do after a hurricane?
1. First of all, don’t go near the solar panel poles and the appliances they drive. If a solar panel is damaged, high voltage can build up around it. Even though solar systems are designed to shut down automatically after damage, you need to contact your city’s grid company immediately to ensure safety.
2. If your solar system is damaged, your solar company will replace or repair your solar system as soon as possible. At this point, since it was caused by a natural disaster, you may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance and not have to pay for the associated repairs.
3. If your solar system appears to be undamaged from the outside, but is also inspected by City Grid, check for no damage before reconnecting it to the city grid.
In special cases, if the solar system is installed through a solar power purchase agreement, subsequent repairs and replacement of the solar system are the sole responsibility of the solar developer.
Conclusion:
Hurricanes do not cause much harm when they come, as long as we take the usual maintenance measures. Unless it is a particularly serious situation, solar panels will be attacked and damaged. We can always trust the sturdiness of solar panels.
Some people may hesitate to buy solar panels because they feel that there is a danger. In my opinion, this is not necessary at all because in the past when solar panels were hit by hurricanes, there was no serious damage. That’s why installing a solar energy system is still reliable. Furthermore, it offers so many benefits to our lives that its dangers seem insignificant in comparison.
