What Happens to Solar Panels If There Is a Hurricane?

These days, solar panel manufacturers make their systems as effective as possible since they are constantly exposed to outside elements. Solar panels are strong enough to put up with a hurricane, among other tough scenarios.

The good news is that you do not have to worry about hurricane winds, rainfall, hail ruining, or damaging your solar panels since they are built to be resilient. However, you will need to take some necessary precautions before they are hit by natural disasters. So, before you start your home solar installation project in New Haven CT, be sure to read this guide.

How durable are solar panels?

Apparently, solar panels might seem fragile because some are made of glass. However, high-quality, thick tempered glass is a strong material considered for solar panels.

However, solar panels that use monocrystalline silicon are more common and have greater durability. Monocrystalline silicon is created by melting pure silicon and turning it into bars. Then they are cut into wafers. The more refined the monocrystalline silicon, the more efficient the solar panels are.

Manufacturers of solar panels, these days, rigorously test their products and conduct third-party verification to make sure that their solar panels can deal with a hurricane and other harshest conditions such as high-force winds, large hail, or heavy rain.

Effects of rain on solar panels

Rain has no negative effect on solar panels. Solar panels and their connectors are durable and waterproof. So, you would not have to worry about them falling apart when the rain starts pouring down.

In fact, the residual rain droplets on your panels can actually positively affect your energy generation. Water is reflective, so those droplets will attract light and boost energy generation when the sun reemerges after a rainstorm.

Rain is also helpful in washing away dirt and debris from your solar panels. This keeps them clean for ample sunlight absorption.

Effects of wind on solar panels

Most solar panels can withstand wind speeds of approximately 2,400 pascals. It equates to 140 miles per hour.

The most excellent manufacturers engineer solar panels with local wind patterns in mind. As per the U.S. National Hurricane Center Category 3, hurricanes (and above) are classified as major hurricanes. The standard sustained wind speed for Category 3 hurricanes is between 111 and 129 miles per hour. Nevertheless, your solar panels should have no trouble fighting these intense wind loads. They can also withstand a hurricane.

Effects of hail on solar panels

Contrary to popular belief, solar panels are built to be resistant to some of the hardest and biggest hailstones. As per the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 50,000 solar panel installations between the years 2009 and 2013 have been studied. The study found that only 0.1% of all solar panels reported damage or under performance of modules every year.

This is due to quality manufacturers testing solar panels for extreme weather conditions. Every solar panel must undergo testing and have proof of an Underwriters Laboratories certification or some sort of variation if the manufacturer is outside the U.S. The Underwriters Laboratories certification proves that the solar panel has passed a series of durability, safety, and quality assessments.