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A quick answer is – yes, solar panels will usually withstand even the most severe hailstorm. However, this will not be always the case. In the event of strong hailstorms, especially if they occur frequently in your area, solar panels may start to get affected.
At the very least, you should expect some scratches on the top layer. In the worst-case scenario, if your solar panel is not certified to withstand heavy hailstorms and is not properly faced, it will get small to moderate damage.
Certified solar panels (IEC 61215-2:2021 standard) are designed to withstand medium to heavy hailstorms. This protection is provided by the tempered glass which is one of the multiple layers within the solar panel.
Which layers do solar panels contain?
The solar panel is made of silicon, glass, and metal.
It usually contains the following layers:
- the first layer is a Junction box
- the next layer is the Backsheet
- then goes the first layer of EVA (Encapsulant material)
- the fourth layer is the Photovoltaic solar cells
- the next one is the second EVA layer
- tempered glass is the main layer that plays a major role in how durable the solar panel is
- and the last layer is the Anodized aluminum frame.
Depending on how thick the Tempered glass layer is, the more severe weather conditions like heavy hailstorms this solar panel will withstand.
How to protect solar panels from hail?
You can take some measures to protect your solar panels from hailstorms:
- position your solar panels inclined, so heavy hail will mostly slide through them without causing a direct impact
- install a metal mesh protection on top of solar panels
- ask the solar panels distributor to provide a hailstorm certification before doing the purchase
- make sure to get hailstorm insurance for your solar panels (usually comes with home hailstorm cover, but, you need to check with your insurance company)
- don’t install two-sided solar panels as they have less thick tempered glass
- get solar panels from a reliable brand with thick tempered glass
How do you know if your solar panel is damaged after a severe hailstorm?
If you’ve taken all the necessary measures to protect your solar panels and they still got damaged, don’t worry. Most of the time, hail damage is only superficial. You can easily spot it with the naked eye – scratches on the top layer or on the frame.
If you’re not sure whether the damage is serious or not, pay attention to drastic changes in energy generation. If you’ve noticed a significant change in produced power right after the hailstorm, make sure to ask your solar panel installation company to send a technician that is going to check your panels.
The technician will use special equipment such as thermal imaging testers to inspect solar panels for invisible damage. This inspection will make sure you don’t have electricity drops or a risk of fire in case of damaged solar panels.
Do solar panels get damaged by snow?
No, they don’t. The effect of snow is very minor.
Snow is not that dangerous to solar panels. Compared to a hailstorm, snow does not inflict a notable impact on tempered glass.
Even though snowfall can last many days and it may create heavy piles on your solar panels, it still won’t be heavy enough to damage them. In some tests, solar panels can withstand an SUV riding on top of it, so you can imagine snow piles to be much less heavy than piles of snow.
The damage from snow is even less likely given that solar panels are installed in an angled position (i.e. not horizontal). This will prevent huge piles of snow from stacking on your solar panels.
Conclusion
Solar panels are designed to withstand heavy hailstorms, however, you should still take some measures to protect them. If you’re not sure whether the damage is serious or not, make sure to ask your solar panel installation company to provide a technician to check your panels.
Overall, significant damage to solar panels is not possible even in the event of a heavy hailstorm. Obviously, not every solar panel is created equal, and you will need to make sure to purchase certified solar panels from trusted brands.
