Are Solar Panels Susceptible To Hail Damage

Solar panels are strong enough to resist damage from most hail.

Are solar panels susceptible to hail damage.

Hail tests and certifications for solar panels. 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. This can result in shattering of the panels or even micro cracks. 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.

However just like your car windscreen can sometimes get damaged by extreme hail the same can happen to your panels. Solar panels and hail. Although made from laminated glass hail falling between 30 100km is hard to withstand. Unusually large hail storms can indeed damage solar panels but solar panels are designed and engineered to generally withstand hail the size of golf balls or smaller.

As we mentioned earlier solar panels are also very susceptible to water damage in the event that the panels are scratched or chipped. Poor quality solar panels are particularly susceptible to damage. We take our high speed camera to the westpak testing facility where we fire balls of ice at different velocit. But if you live in an area where large hail is common there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk.

In order for a solar panel to be approved by the california energy commission there are a number of certification tests that it must pass. Solar panels and hail damage can happen in the blink of an eye. One of these is iec 61215 which involves accelerated stress tests to see how well the module holds up under heat cold wind humidity uv light and mechnical stress including hail. Solar panels are designed to withstand weather including hail and thunderstorms.

Solar panel manufacturers test their products to ensure that they are capable of withstanding hail storms. Water damage can also occur when the seals on the panels deteriorate as the panels age. Solar panels are made with very durable tempered glass that is impact tested to withstand strikes of greater than 50 miles per hour.