Solar panels are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, including hail, high winds, intense heat, and harsh winter climates.
Hailstorms are common in the Black Hills region, with hailstones sometimes exceeding 4 inches in diameter. Most solar panels feature 3.2mm tempered glass, which is specifically tested and certified for resistance to hail of up to 1 inch. While solar panels are significantly more durable than asphalt shingles, not all panels are made with the same quality of glass, even if their specifications appear similar.
Based on our experience with many top brands of solar panels, we have found that glass may break when struck by hailstones larger than 3 inches. However, after using quality solar panels for many years, we have observed a very low incidence of breakage.
It is rare for hailstones to damage solar panels; nevertheless, we recommend that homeowners inform their insurance provider about their solar installation. This may lead to a slight increase in the premium. If your roof needs to be replaced due to hail damage—whether or not a solar panel is broken—insurance typically covers the removal and reinstallation of the solar panels.
In addition to hailstorms, our region can experience winds of up to 80 mph, with gusts reaching 100 mph. A properly engineered roof attachment is designed to handle these worst-case scenarios. We employ rigorous design and installation practices to ensure nothing becomes loose or causes leaks.
Our region typically designs for snow loads of 20 to 50 pounds per square foot. High-quality solar panels are certified to endure a minimum of 50 lbs/ft² and have been tested to withstand over 100 lbs/ft². We utilize engineered design tools to ensure that the attachments can effectively support heavy snow loads.
In conclusion, despite the harsh conditions solar panels are exposed to in our environment, we have found that reputable solar panels, the appropriate mounting hardware, and quality installation ensure a very low incidence of damage or breakage, even in extreme weather.
