Hail and Solar Panels

[7.3Ford]

Hi Folks,

We got caught in a hail storm this past Saturday. Was talking to co-working about the storm, and he asked if the solar panels were OK. Since my panels don't have glass, I never thought about it.

Those with glass panels, have you ever been hit with golf ball size hail?

I sounded like someone was hitting the Monty with a bat.



Hail was tennis ball size just North of where we were.



Stick on panels, you can walk on them if needed.

[Jolu]

John, I haven't been hit with hail like you had. I have had light hail with no damage. You got me, I don't know what would happen with the glass panels.
Your stick on panels sure held up well as well as your skylights if your photo of the roof was taken after the hail hit you.
I wonder how solar farms fair in golf ball sized hail?
Theses are some interesting questions.
I know the glass panels appear to be pretty tough. I might worry about the seals more than shatter damage. They do have a slight tilt that follows the roof when in the stored position.
Joe

[Mel]

John, I would like to know more about your solar panels. Who made them? Where did you get them installed? etc.

I am on the opposite coast, but really like the look.

[7.3Ford]

Joe,

I think the skylights got missed, don't think they would have survived a direct hit. The picture of the solar panels were taken 1 month ago (1 year after there were installed), but they look the same. Took 3 hours to clean off the debris from the roof, slides, and awning, before we could break camp.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Mel

John, I would like to know more about your solar panels. Who made them? Where did you get them installed? etc.

I am on the opposite coast, but really like the look.

Mel,

The panels are made by Uni-Solar, I have two 68 Watt and two 136 Watt panels. Wire in Series (one 68 and one 136) and in parallel (other 68 and 136). Installed them by my self, DW wasn't going to climb up on the roof.

I got all my components from www.affordable-solar.com, but there are many other sites also.

Amazon also has them listed.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...words=UniSolar

I used Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Solar Controller (Over Kill), but wanted the Ethernet connection which is not available on the TS-MPPT-45. I recommend you go with a MPPT controller, because you can use smaller wires from the panels, and panels don't have to be 12 Volt. The 68 Watt panels are 12 Volt, and the 136 Watt panels are 24 Volt. But in reality the max output will be much higher voltage. My open circuit voltage is 68 Volts, and max output voltage runs around 48 Volts.