How To Protect Solar Panels From Hail (Do This!)

Hail is one of the most destructive types of storms that can occur in the United States, at least when it comes to roof and car damage. I was in my 30s the first time I saw this summertime phenomenon with my own eyes, and I was floored at how quickly ice hit everything. Surprisingly, many solar panels around me at the time were safe. I began to wonder how, so I researched it…

Hail is a serious menace to solar panels, but it’s not one that is insurmountable as far as protection goes. You can use any of these methods to keep your panels safe during hail and other storms:

When you see all those leaves stuck on your roof, it’s easy to assume that they will cushion the blow of hail. This isn’t true. Believe it or not, having a layer of grit or grime doesn’t actually protect your solar panels. If anything, having a dirty roof can make any potential damage to your home gets worse. The gunk from the leaves can jam into cracks, making a potentially fixable situation irreparable.

To keep your solar panels in top condition, you should try to give them a thorough cleaning (including leaf removal) at least twice a year. If you have a lot of trees near your home, then you might need to kick your cleaning schedule up a notch.

Not all solar panels are going to be equally prepped to handle hail. Some panels, for example, won’t be able to handle much in terms of impact. Others get built with a special reinforcement structure, making them ideal for hail. If you read up on the type of panels that you have you will be able to find out what the suggested manner of protection is—and when to start prepping for a storm.

With that said, learning about your specific panels can also help you find protective gear. Ideally, you’ll school yourself on solar panels before you get them installed. That way, you can choose the best panels for your home.

If you are in a place that’s known for having high levels of hail during the summer, then it might be a good idea to get a solar panel cover. These are special protective shields that are put up around the railing surrounding the panels, designed to help protect your solar panels from hail.

We suggest getting a hard shell cover with a clear coat if possible. If not, you might still be able to do something in terms of protection by using clear stickers graded for solar panel protection use. The “stickers” can help contain any holes that get into the panels as a result of hail and prevent further damage.

In this case, cleaning and maintenance aren’t always the same thing. Cleaning is a part of maintenance, but it’s not all of the maintenance. The big deal here is that you need to look at the panels and make sure they’re still secured onto your roof well. Once in a while, panels can come a little loose. If they do, it only takes a single knock from a ball of ice to cause them to go crashing down.

Keep a closer eye on the solar panels that you have. If you notice anything awry, it might be time to call the solar company for some service.

Yes! And there are two ways to do this: through your homeowner’s insurance policy and through a separate policy that is totally geared towards the solar panels themselves. Both types of insurance will work to ensure that any damage you have due to hail or other disasters will be covered. It’s a very smart idea, especially when you consider the high price of getting your panels repaired.

Most insurance companies will be more than happy to offer a rider that covers your solar panels exclusively. This usually will only cost a couple of bucks per month, but it’s well worth the extra cash should a major hail storm hit your area.

Related Questions

Can solar panels be left disconnected?

If you have solar panels in need of a little reconnecting, then you probably are wondering whether it’s safe to use them since they’ve been left alone for so long. Solar panels do not require a plug-in to remain safe for use. While keeping them connected is the only way to ensure they’ll provide electricity, there’s nothing wrong with leaving them disconnected.Though there’s nothing unsafe about having disconnected solar panels, you should test them out and inspect them for damage before plugging them in. Long-term disuse can speed up certain factors of wear and tear.

Can solar panels kill you?

Solar panels can pose a risk of shock if you have them installed incorrectly or if they are mishandled while damaged. However, that doesn’t mean they’re dangerous or deadly in most cases. As long as you have your solar panels well installed and they’re intact, there’s no reason to worry about touching them.If you believe that your solar panels may be damaged or pose a fire hazard, call a solar panel repair company immediately and disconnect the panels.

Can you install solar panels on a patio cover?

If you’re debating on a place to add solar panels, there are few places that are as great as a patio cover. Patio covers are a perfect surface for solar panel installations. Moreover, they tend to be in sunny places. This guarantees that you will be able to get a fair amount of electricity every day.It’s worth noting that patio covers are a good alternative to adding the panels to a metal roof. So if you want an easier point of installation, this is it.