Solar Panel Durability

Solar panels are designed to endure extreme weather conditions, such as hail, high winds, searing heat, and extreme winter conditions. Hailstorms are common in our region, with hailstones sometimes exceeding 4 inches in diameter. High-quality solar panels are designed with 3.2mm tempered glass and are tested and certified specifically for resistance to hail. In fact, solar panels are considerably more durable than asphalt shingles and even some tile.

It is rare for massive hailstones to damage solar panels. However, extreme weather in our region can be severe enough to damage any property, and storm damage to equipment is rarely eligible for warranty coverage. In such cases, the damage to the solar panels may be covered by homeowner's insurance.

Our region also experiences winds with speeds of up to 80 mph and gusts of up to 100 mph. A properly engineered solar structure or roof attachment is designed to withstand the worst-case scenario.

Snow load is 20 to 50 pounds per square foot in our region. Snow load is a significant design factor, influenced by the specific location, roof construction, and roof pitch. High-quality solar panels are certified to withstand a minimum of 50 lbs/ft2 and are tested to over 100 lbs/ft2, while the distributed weight of the solar array on a roof is typically less than 3 lbs/ft2.