solar panel durability

[Genie]

The answer may well be in here but I was unable to find it.  I apologize for the duplication if this has been addressed.

Am trying to educate myself about power. I presently live with extreme climate conditions.  How safe are solar panels installed on a roof  from hail, heavy snow etc. Do the panels require protection.

Thanks.

 

[wagoneer]

Never having gone through a major hail storm ( and never wanting to ) I would guess cheaper Chinese panels may not survive the pounding of golf ball size hail even some locally manufactured panels would be at risk If I were to be located in such a situation I would want thin plywood to cover the panels. the closest I got was in 1982 Texas in my old Grumman
stepvan it was extremely loud until I stopped under an overpass but no panel to test the theory. Solar panels were very expensive in them olden days.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

“Hail testing is mandatory under Australian and international PV standards. IEC 61215 and IEC 61645 for crystalline and thin film modules respectively require modules to survive 25mm (1 inch) diameter ice balls fired at 23m/s (51 mph) on 11 points across the module for the Moderate Hail Test (Class MH) or 75mm (3 inch) under the Severe Hail Damage Resistance Test (Class SH) (TUV Rheinland 2009).
http://apvi.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/APVA Submissions/PV in Cyclones.pdf

[size=medium]You will need to check with the panel manufacturer to see which standard their panels meet.  In either case your vehicle would incur significant damage before your solar panels would be damaged.  If you are still concerned smaller panels survive higher impacts than larger ones.[/size]

 

[wagoneer]

you guys blow me away with this tech info ON A REGULAR BASIS, thanks I kinda just wing it not a tech oriented person. Can I quote you lol?

 

[lenny flank]

I've been in a couple hailstorms. Panel was fine. They're pretty tough.

 

[lenny flank]

 require modules to survive 25mm (1 inch) diameter ice balls fired at 23m/s (51 mph) 

Wow, the hailstorms I've been in were about pea-sized, maybe marble-sized.

Tougher than I thought.

 

[user 37446]

https://ecomarksolar.com/blog/solar-panels-and-hail-damage/

Hail and Your Solar Panels
"As a resident of Colorado, you have most likely witnessed several hailstorms. This is because portions of Colorado are located in an area known as “Hail Alley.” This area sees more hail than any other in North America, and often, the hail is classified as large, ranging from the size of a quarter to the size of a golf ball. Unfortunately, Colorado does have the second-highest number of hail damage claims in the United States. Generally, you can count on some hailstorms each year from the middle of April until the middle of August
While the threat of hail is concerning for all homeowners, in Colorado, you can anticipate which time of the year hail is most likely. This offers a unique opportunity to prepare and protect your home from potentially damaging hail in advance. Taking precautionary measures for your solar panels is especially important. Solar panel hail test results show that most panels can withstand winds of up to 50 miles an hour with quarter-sized (around 1 inch) hail; however, hail of larger sizes with stronger winds can cause problems for homeowners with solar panels.
[img=300x225]http://ecomarksolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/hail-300x225.jpg[/img][/SIZE]
Hail larger than 1 inch in diameter (golf ball- or baseball-sized hail) can cause considerable damage to panels, although hail of this size also generally causes damage to most structures. To protect your solar panels, a solar panel protective cover is recommended during the times when hail is expected. For additional protection, you should also have your solar panels added to your homeowner’s insurance policy.
In the event that traditional roof and solar panel durability is no match for a damaging hailstorm with large hail, they can be repaired. In some instances, panels or cells may simply need minor repairs. Other times, however, it may be necessary to completely remove or replace a panel. With traditional roofs, shingles often need replacement after severe hail damage. In these cases, it may be wise to have impact-resistant shingles placed on your Colorado home. Fortunately, in any of these instances, the costs are usually covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy."

 

[tx2sturgis]

Genie it's a great question.

Having had a variety of solar panels on 4 different vehicles, and I live in tornado alley, which means LOTS of hail in the summer, I can tell you that the panels are pretty durable.

In fact, earlier this year, I put in a hail damage claim on my van, dozens of hail dents from 2-3 inch hail, and the panel survived just fine. This is a panel with tempered glass.

Years ago on my old Class A, I had an early model Uni-Solar Tedlar coated panel and it survived 2 inch hail which damaged the roof of the motorhome and the A/C cover. But the panel was fine.

Most likely, with large hail, your vehicle will sustain severe damage before the panel even gets a crack in it. The fact is, the panel might even protect the roof of your vehicle!

When it comes to snow, unless you had 5 feet or more of snow on a large panel, I would think they can survive that with no problem. Normal snowfall is not an issue, other than blocking sunlight to the panel.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hailstorm in Denver, CO, May 8, 2017 with golfball and baseball sized hail.  Out of 3,000 panels at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory only one was damaged.
http://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-hail-hurricanes/

 

[RVTravel]

Would you think a moving panel on top of a vehicle (when hail starts) makes any difference from a stationary panel?

 

[user 37446]

Would you think a moving panel on top of a vehicle (when hail starts) makes any difference from a stationary panel?

oh no, the dreaded moving in a storm vs. stationary question. 

"Will I get wetter standing still in a rainstorm or moving?"

https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/s...ould-you-do-to-avoid-getting-wet-in-rain.html

"If you think about it, the explanation is actually very simple.

When you’re running in the rain, you get struck by raindrops from two sides: from the top and from the sides (front). However, on the other hand, if you’re standing still in the rain, then you’re only getting struck by raindrops from the top, and not from the sides, due to your stationary position."


End of quote

Couldn't resist...  

 

[highdesertranger]

what if it's raining and windy. I have seen plenty of sideways rain. then if you run with the wind you wouldn't get wet, but if you run against it you would get twice as wet? of course I am just kidding but I have seldom seen rain without wind. highdesertranger

 

[user 37446]

what if it's raining and windy.  I have seen plenty of sideways rain.  then if you run with the wind you wouldn't get wet,  but if you run against it you would get twice as wet?  of course I am just kidding but I have seldom seen rain without wind.  highdesertranger

http://www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com/science-content/running-in-the-rain/

• [font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Angle of the Rain – Speed and direction of the wind are critical during an outdoor test. Rain can fall straight down or it can come at you sideways. If you run away from rain that is falling sideways, you will get much less wet than if you run into the rain. And to complicate things further, wind speed and direction can change dramatically during a storm.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]This doesn't have much to do with durability overall yet I think we've seen that tempered glass panels do a pretty good job, even when flat mounted. Nothing will help you with the midwestern baseball to grapefruit size hail, but like HDR said earlier, perhaps your roof won't be as beat up.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]

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[tx2sturgis]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]...but like HDR said earlier, perhaps your roof won't be as beat up.[/font]

That was me!

 

[user 37446]

That was me!

oops