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Old 11-10-2018, 07:51 AM   #1
McIver
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Hail and Solar

The last post I saw regarding this was quite old. Does anyone have experience with newer panels and hail storms?
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Old 11-10-2018, 08:49 AM   #2
mjammersc
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I've experienced a few small hail storms with no issue. In general, the panels will often survive better than other aspects of the trailer or tow vehicle. Here is a link talking about testing specs of panels https://www.ul.com/inside-ul/solar-panels-testing/ with this being the tests:


"
There are two types of impact tests that UL conducts. The first is a historical impact test that measures impact toughness of PV modules. UL lab technicians drop a two-inch solid steel sphere from a height of 51 inches onto the surface of the PV module, the energy equivalent of a hail stone measured at one inch and three-eighths in diameter falling at terminal velocity through the sky.


The second impact test is a true hail impact. This “classic” test involves placing a perfectly formed spherical chunk of ice into a pneumatic cannon and firing the calibrated ice ball at 10 to 13 critical locations on the PV module. Most often, UL technicians will shoot 25-millimeter, or approximately one-inch, ice balls at the module at about 52 miles per hour."
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Old 11-10-2018, 09:23 AM   #3
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The old rig had seven solar panels and survived quarter inch hail that put holes thru a plastic storage building. No problems with the panels.
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Old 11-10-2018, 05:10 PM   #4
Montana Man
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They do make hail resistant panels. Some are tougher than others.
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Old 11-15-2018, 08:41 AM   #5
JamesD
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The flexible solar panels may not be as durable.
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Old 11-15-2018, 09:13 AM   #6
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When through a hail storm with 1 1/2 hail. Solar panels did fine however the Montana didn't do too good.
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