Do I Need a Solar Battery?
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What to Do When Hail Hits Your Solar Panels
- June 10, 2024
One of the biggest concerns we hear from customers who are thinking about installing residential solar panels in Colorado is hail damage. It’s a valid concern—we can see some pretty intense hail storms on the Front Range, and since they’re installed on your roof, solar panels are in the direct line of fire.
Luckily, most hail storms are not strong enough to cause real damage to your solar panels. But in severe storms, it can happen.
Keep reading to learn more about how hail impacts solar panels and what to do if your solar panels get hit.
How Does Hail Impact Solar Panels?
Solar panels are more durable than you may think. While their glass faces are susceptible to damage, they can withstand a significant amount of force before breaking. Most solar panel manufacturers test their panels to withstand hailstones up to one inch in diameter. The high-quality solar panels that Solar Power Pros install are extremely resistant to hail damage and only at risk during extreme hail storms.
Your roof is, surprisingly, significantly more susceptible to hail damage than your solar panels are. In most hail storms, your solar panels will actually act as a shield, protecting a large portion of your roof against hail damage.
If you live in Colorado, you know how spring hail season can be and you may find it hard to believe solar panels can be this durable. But it’s true—take this real-world scenario for example. In May of 2017 a massive hailstorm ripped through the Colorado foothills damaging thousands of homes and properties.
Only One out of 3,000 Solar Panels Was Damaged in This Massive Colorado Hail Storm
One area hit hardest was Golden Colorado, home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where solar technologies are developed and continuously improved. NREL is home to a solar array of more than 3,000 panels! In this massive hailstorm, only one panel was broken out of the thousands present. This is a great example of how strong your solar panels are.
Your Solar Panels Were Hit, Now What?
Solar panels are impressively strong, but Colorado has been known to see tennis ball-sized hailstones in very bad hail years. Hailstones this big can certainly damage your solar panels. If that happens, there are a few important steps to follow.
- Assess the Damage – After a hail storm, look for common signs of hail damage to solar panels like cracks, chips, or decreased electricity generation. As a safety precaution, avoid getting up on your roof. Instead, use binoculars or, if you have one, a drone to inspect your panels.
- Document the Damage – Take notes about the damage you see and, if it’s possible to do so safely, photos.
- Call an Expert – If you suspect hail damage to your solar panels, call Solar Power Pros! We can safely and efficiently assess and document the damage for you and recommend the best solutions for solar maintenance or repair.
Paying for Damage: Warranties & Insurance
Most solar panel warranties do not cover hail damage, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay for all the repairs out of pocket. Most of the time, homeowner’s insurance will cover solar panels in the same claim that it will cover your roof or any other damage to your home.
Repairing Solar Panel Hail Damage
Before you hire the first roofing company that knocks on your door the day after a hailstorm, contact Solar Power Pros! We will be there to assess the damage and recommend the best options for repair. If your roof is also affected by hail, we will connect you to one of our trusted roofing partners and work cohesively with them to get your solar panels back up and running fast. A solar professional must do this work to ensure your warranty is not voided.
