What Happens To Solar Panels in a Hurricane? Astonishing Resilience

What Happens to Solar Panels in a Hurricane?

What happens to solar panels in a hurricane? Believe it or not, not much. Two real-world examples illustrate this fact. Hurricane Sandy pelted the New York and New Jersey metro areas with unprecedented amounts of wind and rain in 2012. In New Jersey, a state with high per-capita use of residential solar panels, the vast majority of the state’s solar panels were unaffected. 

Another example was Hurricane Maria which hit Puerto Rico in 2017. The city of San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and is one of its most populous cities. It was also one of the hardest hit by the hurricane. A crucial VA hospital in Puerto Rico’s capital that used a 645-kW solar system never stopped operating below 100% capacity. When the people needed it the most, solar power prevailed.

What happens to solar panels in a hurricane?

How Do Solar Panels withstand Hurricanes?

Because solar panels are located outside, they must be durable. They must be able to withstand wind, rain, hail, and of course, continuous sunlight. Most solar panel manufacturers wind test their solar panels at extremely high speeds. 

According to Energy Sage, “most solar panels are certified to withstand winds of up to 2,400 pascals, equivalent to approximately 140 mile-per-hour (MPH) winds.” How exactly do solar panels tolerate winds at those speeds? It’s in the design.

What Happens To Solar Panels in a Hurricane? – Solar Panel Wind Design

Solar panels are shaped to be aerodynamic, This reduces wind shear against the panels. They are also often fastened into place by heavy bolts that are screwed directly into the beams of your roof. Depending on your state, there may be specific wind resistance requirements. 

In Texas, for example, solar panels must be able to withstand 110 MPH winds. A strongly constructed rack and well-sealed mount should prevent your solar panels from going anywhere, even in 110+ MPH winds.

What Happens To Solar Panels in a Hurricane? – Impact Tolerance

Hurricanes can mean hailstones and debris hitting your solar panels as well. Luckily, they are tested to ensure they can endure hail stones. In fact, the hail testing process involves shooting ping pong ball-sized balls of ice at the solar panels at 70 miles per hour. A large, 3,000-panel solar array in Colorado was hit by an ice storm in 2017. Only one panel was damaged and that was because several hailstones hit it repeatedly in the same spot.

So, what happens to solar panels in a hurricane? Thanksfully not much, as they are built to withstand the most challenging of conditions. Now that you know some information about solar panels and hurricanes, contact us at Sunshine Renewable Solutions. We’re experienced Houston solar installers, and we accept nothing but reference-level project installations. 

Call us at (832) 280-8838 to get your free estimate today!

Texas Plastic

Sunshine Renewable Solutions to Help Formosa Plastics of Point Comfort, Texas, Achieve Sustainability Goals

Formosa Plastics is a major producer of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride resins, which are widely used in various industries worldwide. Recognizing its role in environmental stewardship, Formosa Plastics sought to collaborate with a reputable sustainability consultant who can provide solutions to reduce its impact on the environment.

Sunshine Renewable Solutions is a leading sustainability consulting firm that specializes in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The company has a team of experts who help clients identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and implement sustainable practices through solar power.

Slide
Follow The Build

Sunshine Renewable Solutions proudly partners with a leading Texas-based plastic manufacturer, embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to fortify its commitment to sustainability.

By integrating solar energy solutions, we're revolutionizing their environmental impact. Our collaborative efforts aim to construct a robust solar infrastructure, harnessing renewable energy to power their operations efficiently.

Together, we're spearheading a transformative shift towards renewable practices, demonstrating how solar power can drive industrial progress while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Sunshine Renewable Solutions is honored to work hand-in-hand with this industry leader, fostering a brighter, greener future through the strategic implementation of solar energy solutions.

Slide
Follow The Build

Creating The Foundation

As the foundational step in our partnership, the construction of concrete piers for the solar panel structure marks a pivotal milestone in our solar energy initiative. These concrete piers serve as the bedrock of support for the entire solar infrastructure, providing stability and durability essential for the efficient functioning of the solar array.

Slide
Follow The Build

Precision And Accuracy Are Paramount

Our engineering team meticulously plans and designs the layout of the piers, ensuring they are strategically positioned to uphold the solar panel array's weight and withstand environmental factors such as wind and inclement weather. We adhere to industry standards and best practices to create a robust foundation that guarantees the longevity and resilience of the solar installation.

Slide
Follow The Build

A Solid Foundation

Environmental considerations are taken into account throughout the construction process, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy production to encompass responsible construction practices.

By establishing these concrete piers foundations, we are ready to start Phase 2, erecting the metal support bars. Enabling the subsequent installation of solar panels will power the plastic manufacturer's operations while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

previous arrow
next arrow