You may already understand the many benefits of solar panels, but you might be concerned about their durability. Living in Des Moines, you’re very familiar with the severe weather that can pass through your area. If you’re making the decision to invest in a valuable piece of outdoor equipment, you’ll want to make sure it can withstand various weather elements, like hail. This is especially important for equipment you rely on to power your home!
The good news is that solar panels are strong enough to tolerate most hailstorms. The top surface of solar panels are made of a durable type of glass that’s strong enough to tolerate storms that are rated “severe” by the U.S. National Weather Service. This rating refers to hail up to one inch in size or with wind gusts up to 58 mph. Hail smaller than one inch or falling at a slower velocity is unlikely to cause any damage to solar panels.
Since solar panels are installed outdoors, they undergo several rigorous types of testing to ensure they won’t be damaged by the elements. These tests involve temperature, humidity, and UV light.
Before deciding to install solar panels, you might find it worthwhile to review the datasheet to determine the strength rating. This contains two separate ratings: the frontside strength (also known as snow load rating) and backside strength (known as wind load rating). Because of the position of the panels, it’s important to know how strong they are from both sides. Wind will hit the panels from the rear, while the front will face the weight of elements like hail and snow.
The experts at Purelight Power are available to answer any questions or concerns you have about installing a solar panel system. There are many benefits to choosing solar energy, and we’d be happy to walk you through the process. We proudly serve the Des Moines and surrounding areas, so contact us today for a free quote!
