Solar Panels vs. Nature: What Could Crack the Cells

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

Solar Panels on the roof of a suburban house in Bowling Green, KY.

Solar panel damage is rare, but when it does happen, it’s usually as a result of a hard-hitting storm. There are a few things you can do to prepare if you know a storm is on the way to Bowling Green, KY.

The examples below of instances where panels stayed intact may give you peace of mind that yours could also stay safe.

When Nature Strikes

Solar panels are usually built to hold up even in the most extreme of circumstances. However, there are some common causes to damaged panels.

 • Hail (especially when it hits the same spot repeatedly)

• High winds (uplift can happen when wind blows between your roof and panels)

• Roof damage (if your roof wasn’t built well to begin with, the panels can fly off with it)

Where Solar Panels Stayed Intact

Storms have tested panels with much success in recent years:

• Hurricane Maria: 180 mph winds didn’t even leave a scratch on a 645 kW solar array on a VA hospital in San Juan. It operated well after the storm, even though nearly all of the island was without power.

• Hurricane Sandy: panel damage was few and far between in New Jersey when this hurricane hit in 2012, days after the state installed dozens of panels.

• Severe hail in Denver: only one out of more than 3,000 panels on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory campus was damaged in this rare storm.

What To Do Before and After the Storm

Prepare for a storm the same way you would without solar panels. Don’t try to remove them, as the racks are built to handle the storm. You may want to take pictures of the system just in case. If the storm does cause an issue, you can show those pictures to your insurance agent. Most providers cover panels, but you may want to double check before it’s too late.

When you do experience panel damage, don’t try to fix it yourself. Always call a professional in Bowling Green, KY, first.

SERVPRO of Warren County is ready to respond immediately to water and storm damage emergencies.