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In general, natural disasters can cause a lot of damage. So, it might be helpful to understand what might happen to your solar panels in a natural disaster. To ease your nerves a little, let’s get into how solar panels hold up during different types of disasters and what you can do to protect them.
How Strong Are Solar Panels?
Most solar panels are built to handle outdoor weather like rain, wind, and sun. But what happens when something stronger hits, like a hurricane or wildfire?
Panels go through tests before being sold. These tests look at wind pressure, hail impact, and temperature changes. Though panels are made to last, none are entirely disaster-proof. That’s why it helps to know what can happen during each kind of event and what you can do about it.
Due to the increase of natural disasters in recent years, it’s important to know what might happen to prepare yourself.
Hurricanes
In a hurricane, strong winds and flying objects are the biggest risks. A well-installed panel system should stay in place even in strong winds. Most panels are tested to tolerate wind speeds of up to 140 mph.
Once again, if heavy debris hit your panels, the glass could crack. The electrical parts underneath might still work, but it’s important to have them checked.
What to do:
- Trim nearby trees to prevent branches from falling on your roof.
- Ask your provider if your system was installed with wind-rated hardware.
- After a storm, check the system from the ground. If you see damage, contact your local solar energy installer for an inspection.
Wildfires
Wildfires don’t always reach buildings directly, but heat and smoke can still affect your solar system. Panels are often made of materials that don’t catch fire easily.
Still, smoke and ash can block sunlight from reaching the panels. This lowers their power output for a bit. If the fire gets too close, wires or connectors might melt or break.
What helps:
- Keep leaves and dry plants cleared from around your home.
- Have your system inspected after any wildfire nearby.
- Make sure your system uses parts that meet fire safety standards.
The air pollution a wildfire causes can reduce panel performance for a few days or weeks. Cleaning the panels after heavy smoke can help restore power levels.
Floods
Floods are a big concern because water and electricity don’t mix. Since solar panels are usually placed high on roofs, it might not be that big of a concern. But the inverter, the part that turns solar power into usable electricity, is sometimes closer to the ground.
Let’s say electrical units do get wet, they may stop working or even cause safety risks. It’s important not to touch your system during or right after a flood unless a professional says it’s safe.
How to prepare:
- Keep inverters and batteries above flood level when possible.
- Ask your provider about waterproof equipment options.
- Shut down the system before a flood if you can do so safely.
Hail and Snow
Hail can seem scary, but most panels are tested to handle hailstones up to an inch in diameter traveling at over 50 mph. Cracks from hail are uncommon, but they can happen if the storm is very strong or the panels are older.
Snow does not usually damage solar panels. In fact, the smooth surface of your solar panels helps snow slide off. A thin layer of snow may block sunlight, but most panels work again once it melts. Some people brush the snow off, but this isn’t always needed unless the snow is very thick.
Tips for winter weather:
- If you do clean snow off your panels, use a soft tool and avoid scratching the surface.
- After a hailstorm, check for visible cracks or contact us.
- Don’t climb on your roof to inspect panels, call us to check for damage.
Earthquakes
If you live in an area with earthquakes, you might wonder how ground movement affects your solar equipment. Roof-mounted panels usually stay attached during small to moderate quakes, especially if they are properly secured. Ground-mounted systems can shift, but many are installed with flexible hardware that moves with the earth.
The bigger concern during an earthquake is falling debris, not the ground shaking itself. If parts of your building fall onto your panels, they might get crushed.
To reduce risk:
- Ask Solar Pro if your system was installed following local earthquake safety rules.
- Use mounting systems that can absorb shock or allow slight movement.
- After an earthquake, check the system visually and report any damage.
How to Protect Your System Against Natural Disasters
While you can’t control natural disasters, there are steps you can take to protect your solar panels and keep your power system safe. These tips apply to all kinds of weather:
- Know your system layout: Understand where the key parts are located.
- Keep records: Store warranty documents, equipment manuals, and contact info in a safe place.
- Schedule yearly inspections: Even if nothing looks wrong, it helps to catch small issues early.
- Install monitoring tools: Some systems allow you to check panel performance from your phone. A sudden drop might mean there’s a problem.
After the Disaster
Once it’s safe, you can check your solar panels for obvious damage. Look for things like:
- Broken glass on the panels
- Loose wires or connections
- Inverter not working or showing warning lights
Never try to repair electrical parts on your own. Call Solar Pro for assistance.
F(l)ood for Thought
Thinking about solar panels and natural disasters can feel overwhelming, but the truth is most systems are made to handle tough conditions. With some basic preparation and help from a provider like Solar Pro, you can reduce the risk and get support when you need it. Most importantly, you can keep your focus on staying safe while knowing your solar system is built to last.