The national renewable energy laboratory nrel researchers also work diligently to develop quality tests to ensure that solar panels will survive harsh weather like in a hailstorm 3 and not just in the wet or rainy seasons.
Home solar panels and hail.
Solar panel manufacturers test their products to ensure that they are capable of withstanding hail storms.
Use solar energy to power your home and reduce your dependence on the grid.
While hail certainly could damage some types of solar panels the likelihood is very small and occurrences are extremely rare.
As a result any damage not covered under the panel s warranty may fall under your home insurance coverage.
Like with your home s roof your solar panels are a permanent fixture to your home.
In fact a 2017 hailstorm in denver that caused severe damage across the city proved the durability of solar panels.
Hail storms can wreak havoc on your home and solar panels.
For the most part no.
Solar panels and hail damage can happen in the blink of an eye.
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 expensive and stressful to repair.
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.
That includes many hail storms over the years we have had solar panels installed in alberta since 2001 many of them bringing golf ball sized hail or larger.
Learn more about your potential savings in our design studio.
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.
Here s a video of what that testing looks like.
With hail season in full swing protect your solar panels from hail damage to keep their energy supply in working condition.
Solar panels and hail damage may fall under your home insurance policy too.
A solar module or panel that is installed properly and tilted to face south should never break from hail.
According to the national renewable energy laboratory nrel most panels can hold up to most any hail storm or hurricane force winds for that matter.
Up until a couple weeks ago we would tell people we ve never seen a solar module panel being damaged from hail.
Purchase solar at the lowest price of any national provider with tesla s price match guarantee and take control of your monthly electricity bill.
But use your best judgement if it looks like your solar panels are dirty or you can see a lot of stuff on them get to cleaning.
The answer is yes.
Unfortunately there s little you can do to protect your solar panels from the damaging hail when a storm hits.