Solar Panels and Extreme Weather
One of the many questions that prospective solar energy clients ask are the issues concerning a systems likelihood of facing extreme weather, in particular, how the panels will hold up during strong winds and from flying debris. Being a local Floridian, I’ve seen my own fair share of powerful storms… and those aren’t limited to hurricanes. As such, our state faces down some of the most intense storms on the planet, so the solar energy systems that are installed are subject to some very substantial wind events. But fret not, Empowerment Energies has solar panels for your roof that will not make your house a target for storm damage. Let me share a few details that should help put your mind at ease moving forward.
Generally, following a strong thunderstorm or hurricane, your first inclination is to step outside to take a look at your roof to see if any shingles have blown down. As shingles age, this can be an increased likelihood given the nature of older shingles and how they might have wind get under them and blow away. A common misconception is that solar panels are likely to suffer the same fate. Fortunately, this is NOT true! There’s a staunch difference between how solar panels are commonly installed vs. how a roofing shingle is attached to a roof. Roofing shingles are attached using standard roofing nails hammered through felt paper and into the roofing plywood. Pretty simple. Traditional solar panel rails are secured commonly using ⅜” galvanized bolts through the roofing plywood and into the 4”x4” rafters.
What does that mean? Securing the railings into the rafters ensures the railing systems can withstand wind speeds much stronger than what would blow off shingles. In fact, installing solar paneling can help protect your roof for an even greater period of time than simply having your roof exist without the solar paneling. Solar panel installations in Florida face some of the strictest building code requirements by requiring them to withstand, in many cases, up to and over 170 MPH winds (based upon local building code). Simply put, there is a greater likelihood that the roof in its entirety will separate from the structure rather than the individual paneling.
Another minor, yet important detail in the solar panel installation is the proximity of the panels to the roof itself. Older paneling systems featured a raised rail system that kept the panels at much greater distances from the roofline, allowing wind and drag to get behind the panels and force them off the railings and away from the house. Newer solar panel installations feature lower-profile panels that are substantially closer to the roofing. This amazing new feature results in a product that is less susceptible to wind currents with a reduced likelihood of seeing damage during severe weather.
Two other major variables come into play during severe weather periods: lightning strikes, and hail. As direct lightning strikes are often rare and will undoubtedly do damage to a house, indirect strikes can cause counter-current fluxes within the energy system. A system that includes proper grounding and surge-protections within the inverter and paneling will help to alleviate any system interruption during inclement weather events. Solar paneling is designed to withstand hail up to 25mm in diameter, which is greater than actual roofing is able to handle on its own.