Can Hail Damage Solar Panels? Here’s What You Need to Know

Hail storms in the US caused over ₹7.5 billion in damage in 2022. Texas and Colorado suffered the most. The good news is, modern commercial solar panels are tough. They can handle most hail storms.

These solar panels are made to last over 25 years. They’re built to be outside. So, they need to be durable. While hail can make small cracks or scratches, it doesn’t happen often.

Fenice Energy provides strong solar panels. They’ve been in the business for over 20 years. Their panels can stand up to hail and tough weather.

Key Takeaways

• Hail storms can cause significant damage to property, with over ₹7.5 billion in damage in the US in 2022.
• Modern commercial solar panels are designed to be extremely durable and can withstand most hail storms.
• Hail can physically damage the protective glass and solar cells, but this typically only occurs during the most severe weather conditions.
• Fenice Energy offers high-quality solar panels that are built to be hail-resistant and withstand the elements.
• Regular maintenance and professional inspections are crucial to ensure solar panels continue to perform at their best.

Understanding Hailstorms and Their Impact

Hailstones are solid ice pieces falling from storm clouds. They start as raindrops that get lifted and freeze. Inside the clouds, they bump into each other, getting bigger.

When these ice chunks become too heavy, they fall. This happens when the storm’s lifting power weakens or can’t hold them anymore.

What is Hail?

Hail happens in storms when raindrops freeze high up. These frozen raindrops then fall as hard pieces of ice. We call them hailstones.

Formation and Growth of Hailstones

Hailstones begin as tiny water droplets inside storm clouds. They get a lift from powerful winds, going up where it’s cold. There, they freeze and add layers of ice.

The process continues until they are too heavy to stay up. Then, they drop from the sky.

Potential Damage Caused by Hail

Smaller hailstones can fall at 9 to 25 miles per hour. Bigger ones may reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour. In the worst storms, hailstones can be larger than 4 inches across and fall very fast. At these rates, they can hurt buildings, crops, and could be dangerous to people and animals.

How Hail Can Damage Solar Panels

Solar panels have silicon wafers, or solar cells, and are covered by tempered glass. Hail can break this glass, leaving cracks or scratches. The solar cells themselves might get damaged too.

Impact on Solar Panel Surface

Damage from hail might not look bad on the outside, but it can hurt the inside. This can make solar panels work less efficiently. Cracks and scratches block sunlight, which reduces energy absorption. Hail damage also lets in water and debris, which can harm the panels further.

Internal Component Damage

Hail impacts can damage solar panel parts inside, like the solar cells. You might not see this damage, but it affects how well the panel works and its lifespan. The wiring and circuits could also get damaged, leading to less energy and safety concerns.

Reduced Solar Panel Efficiency

Any hail damage can lower solar panels’ efficiency. This means they can’t take in as much energy from the sun. As a result, the solar system might produce less energy. This drop in efficiency lowers the solar system’s performance.

Can Hail Damage Solar Panels?

Most solar panels, like monocrystalline and polycrystalline ones, can handle hail up to 25 millimeters in diameter. This hail is falling at 50 miles per hour. Fenice Energy has designed their solar panels to be tough. They ensure high solar panel durability and hail resistant solar panels. Fenice Energy’s products have met the top industry standards for solar panel hail protection ratings.

Solar Panel Durability and Construction

The way solar panels are made is really important if we’re talking about hail damage. Thin, flexible panels are less likely to survive hail because they’re not as tough. That’s why monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels are better; they can take a hit better.

Hail Ratings: UL 61730 and IEC 61730

UL and IEC have set up a whole system to test how well solar panels can handle hail. If a solar panel has a UL 61730 or IEC 61730 rating, it means it can survive hail that’s 1 to 3 inches big, at speeds up to 88 miles per hour. These ratings show solar panels have been really tested, and they passed the toughest tests.

Hail Rating	Hail Diameter	Impact Speed
UL 61730 / IEC 61730	1 to 3 inches	Up to 88 mph
Typical Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline	0.98 inches	50 mph
Thin Film	Lower than Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline	Lower than Monocrystalline/Polycrystalline

Knowing about durability and hail ratings helps homeowners and businesses pick the right solar panels. With solar panel durability, hail resistant solar panels, and solar panel hail protection ratings in mind, you can choose wisely. Fenice Energy offers top-notch solar solutions. They guarantee your solar panels can face the worst weather for many years, making power reliably and efficiently.

Protecting Solar Panels from Hail Damage

In India, Fenice Energy leads in offering clean energy solutions. They have many ways to keep your solar panels safe from hail. You can use temporary covers, special coatings, and change the way your panels face. These options help your solar investment stay safe, even in big hailstorms.

Temporary Protective Covers

Fenice Energy has a variety of covers, from hard-shell to padded fabric. They are easy to put on when hail is coming. Just remember, putting them on and taking them off might briefly reduce how much power your panels make.

Methacrylate Coatings

There’s also an affordable choice called methacrylate coatings. These are spray-on layers that shield your panels from hail. When these coatings are used right, they don’t block the sunlight your panels need to make energy. So, your solar system will keep running efficiently.

Wire Mesh Barriers

Adding wire mesh around your panels can protect them too. Fenice Energy’s special wire solutions help push away hail impact. This lessens the chance of damage to your solar panels.

Adjustable Panel Angles

If you choose, you can get solar panels with adjustable angles. This lets you point your panels away from direct hail hits. By selecting the best angle, you can also boost your solar system’s safety during hailstorms.

Regardless of the method, Fenice Energy advises keeping up with maintenance and inspections. This helps your solar panels work well, even when the weather turns rough. With their help, you can be confident your solar setup is ready to face hail head on.

FAQ

Can hail damage solar panels?

Hail can hurt solar panels, even though they are tough. The protective glass might get hit, getting small cracks or scratches. This damage can make the panels less efficient and they might not last as long.

What is hail, and how is it formed?

Hailstones form in thunderstorms as ice pieces. Raindrops get carried up high by winds into very cold places. There, these drops freeze on other bits of ice, getting bigger as they do. This is how hailstones grow.

How can hail damage solar panels?

When hail hits solar panels, it can crack or scratch the glass. This damage could affect the inside parts too. Less sunlight can get through if there are cracks or scratches, making the panels work less well.

How durable are solar panels against hail?

Most solar panels can handle hail that is up to 25 millimeters wide and falls at 50 miles per hour. The best ones, with a UL 61730 or IEC 61730 rating, have been tested with even bigger hail. They’ve been proven to survive hail over an inch wide that comes at 88 miles per hour.

How can solar panels be protected from hail damage?

To protect solar panels from hail, you can cover them temporarily. Or use coatings, wire mesh, and adjust their angle. It’s also very important to check them often and have professionals inspect them. This ensures the panels keep working well.