How to Prevent Hurricane Damage to Your Solar Panels
Solar power systems can make you energy independent andreduce your carbon footprint. But even the most durable solar panels can be vulnerable to extreme weather events like hurricanes.
If you live somewhere where hurricanes and tropical storms are a persistent hazard, you can take steps to preserve your solar power system and protect your home against them.
The steps below will help you prevent hurricane damage to your solar panels and keep them up and running even after the worst storms hit.
How Do You Protect Solar Panels From a Hurricane?
While your solar panel manufacturers design their arrays to endure the most inclement weather, a hurricane can pose unique problems. High winds, hail, excessive rain, and flying debris can all damage your PV panels.
Protecting your array can be as simple as folding up the panels and storing them inside if you have portable solar panels. But you’ll need to take action for solar systems with fixed panels to secure them from a hurricane.
The following steps can help you prepare and minimize the potential damage.
EcoFlow 125W Bifacial Modular Solar Panel (125W, 250W, 500W kits)
Take Pictures
Before a hurricane or severe storm arrives, it's a good idea to take detailed pictures of your solar panels and equipment. Documenting the condition of your system will provide essential evidence in case the storm causes any damage. These photos can be invaluable when filing insurance claims, helping you establish the pre-storm condition of your equipment and speeding up the claims process. Make sure to capture clear, wide-angle shots of the panels, inverters, batteries, and any other equipment to ensure you have thorough documentation. It’s also wise to include timestamps, if possible, to provide an accurate record of the system’s condition just before the storm hits.
Power Your System Down
Next, you’ll want to power down the entire system and the electric supply going into your home or building. Disconnect the system at your switch, then shut off the circuit breakers.
Separating the components at each of these levels minimizes the risk of damage from a power surge during the hurricane.
Store System Equipment
Tracking systems, while excellent for optimizing solar panel efficiency, can create wind drag during strong storms or hurricanes. In some cases, the wind can even catch the panels and pull them loose, causing significant damage. To prevent this, it’s essential to move the tracking systems into neutral positions before the storm hits. This means adjusting the panels so they are no longer actively following the sun, reducing their exposure to wind. Additionally, make sure the panels are stored securely according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Proper storage and positioning can minimize the risk of damage and help ensure that your system survives the storm intact.
Seal All Components
Any crack in your solar power system creates an opportunity for extensive water damage during a hurricane. You should have your panels inspected regularly, but particularly before a predicted hurricane makes landfall. Small steps taken ahead of the storm can prevent seepage into your electrical components.
Secure Connections
Make sure your clasps and fasteners are secure, especially if you have rigid solar panels. The attachments securing the array to the frame need double-checking.
This step can present challenges in areas you haven’t inspected for a while or where you may have current work underway. Your system’s installation should have followed strict protocols to secure your panels and wiring. Make sure they remain secure now.
You might not have a metal frame if you have flexible solar panels. Instead, installers use adhesive for the thin-film panels. You’ll want to check the adhesive every few months to ensure everything is firmly in place and won’t get torn away by high-speed winds.
Inspect Drainage Ditches and Gutters
Water seeping into a damaged panel isn’t the only way to sustain water damage. If your drainage areas are clogged or blocked, they can hold water that eventually seeps into your equipment. Ensure all these channels are clear for water to move away from the system.
Remove Loose Objects
Before a storm, it’s important to inspect the area around your solar panel installation for any loose tools, equipment, or other objects. High winds can easily lift these items and turn them into projectiles, potentially causing significant damage to your solar panels, inverters, or other components of your solar array. Even seemingly small objects like garden tools, debris, or unsecured furniture can become dangerous when caught by strong winds. To prevent this, secure or move any loose items well away from the installation area. This precaution will help protect your system from unnecessary damage and minimize the risk of costly repairs after the storm has passed.
Recovering Your Solar Panels Post Hurricane
After a storm is over, inspect your panels. Look for signs of damage, whether in the form of cracked or broken panels or weakened mounting hardware. Take pictures of any damage you identify.
Solar panels can withstand a great deal of abuse. Sometimes heavy rainfall helps them operate more effectively by cleaning them off for you. But before you assume all is okay, you should look for movement or shifting of your installation or clear signs of damage to the panels and other components.
A professional inspection might turn up issues you didn’t see. Don’t count on a layperson’s eye to just give the panels a quick once over; consult with an expert to make sure you identify any problem areas to address after the storm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Turn off Solar Panels During Hurricane?
Yes. Before the hurricane hits, take the time to turn your array off. When you disconnect the parts of your system from your home and the panels from each other, you protect yourself from power surges and other sources of electrical damage.
Do Solar Panels Get Damaged by Hurricanes?
Solar panels are designed to take a beating. Still, water entering the system or debris smashing into the panels can damage the panels both inside and out. Taking steps to protect the panels helps minimize those risks.
Conclusion
Hurricanes present the kind of threat that poses unique challenges for solar panels. The wind can cause some damage, but water damage and flying debris are the culprits when a system is compromised. Preparing your solar power system to protect against those issues can go a long way toward preserving your renewable energy investment.
EcoFlow solar panels are waterproof and ready to endure almost anything the weather can dish out. Follow the protective steps above, and your solar panel array should serve you for many years to come.