Curious about solar and clean renewable energy? If you live in the midwest and are concerned about what the extreme weather means for solar panels, here are the top 5 things to know.
Iowa and the midwest are known for some pretty intense storms. Like the Derecho in August of 2020, which cut power to almost the entire city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa!
That doesn’t mean solar can’t work for homeowners who happen to live in areas with tornadoes and midwestern weather.
Keep reading for the top 5 things you should know about solar panels and tornadoes.
Top 5 Things to Know about Solar Panels and Tornadoes
In this section I will be covering the 5 key things to know about getting solar installed at home when you live in tornado prone areas.
#1: Solar is Built for Wind Speeds Over 100 mph!
Solar panels, when professionally installed on roofs, can withstand up to over 100 mph wind. How? Through a combination of racking designed to attach to your roof and withstand winds well over 100. Solar panels themselves are designed to handle wind speeds up to 2400 Pa (that’s 130 miles per hour)!
#2: Solar Panels are Often Covered by Your Homeowners Insurance
Because solar is considered a permanent home upgrade, it is often covered in part by homeowners insurance. Even when it’s not, any reputable solar installation company will have some sort of guarantee or warranty system in place for their solar energy products.
#3: Professionally Installed Solar Panels are Safer for Tornadoes
It saves to invest in professional solar, rather than going the DIY route. A reputable solar installation company will do more than just install solar: they’ll also check the condition of your roof, do the proper electrical work, and make sure everything is up to code. That means you get a quality installation built to make the most of the climate and geography where you live.
#4: Solar Can Actually Protect Your Roof
Solar panels won’t damage your roof if installed correctly. Instead, they’ll act as a sort of screen, protecting your roof from the everyday wear and tear from weather, debris, and UV light. Think of solar as a sort of umbrella for your roof.
#5: Grid-Tied Solar is Built with Storms in Mind
Installing grid-tied solar saves you money! A good option for the midwest that consistently gets major storms. With grid-tied solar and net metering, the excess energy you get from long sunny days during summer months helps you save year round. Even if you’re not under a tornado warning, with a system built with safety and consistency in mind, your solar can handle thunderstorms, blizzards, and more.
Investing in Solar at Home in the Midwest
As you can see, solar is still a good investment for homeowners in Iowa. But how can you make the most of your investment when going solar?
Homeowners in Iowa with rooftop solar are eligible to claim the Solar Investment Tax Credit that can help recoup 26% of installation costs. If you didn’t think that was enough, homeowners in Iowa are also exempt from Iowa’s 6% sales tax on solar as well!
On top of all of that, solar has been shown to increase your home’s value by 4.1%.
Safe Solar with Purelight!
Let your local solar experts install a system properly, for solar that can weather any storm.
With Purelight’s zero down program homeowners go solar for nothing out of pocket!
See if your roof qualifies for our $0 out of pocket program today.
