If you have considered going solar, you know most solar panels come with a list of warranties. Although some panels have a 25-year product warranty, the warranty only covers panel deficiencies, not external factors.
Homeowners must remember these panels are going on the exterior of their homes and will be exposed to external forces. Do Colorado residents need to worry about hail damage, and should Florida homeowners be concerned about hurricane-level wind and rain?
Here is how modern solar panels hold up against the powerful elements of Mother Nature and how you can feel confident in your custom rooftop system.
Rainstorms
Storms are one of the most common natural phenomena on this list and can occur in any location across the United States. Other than blocking the sun from the panels (panels perform at a lower efficiency), a storm will not have any effect on the lifespan of the panels. Regular storms can help the overall efficiency of a solar panel system.
Most panels eventually experience a buildup of dirt and pollen that can block the sunlight from being absorbed effectively by the solar cells. A frequent storm will wash the panels of any buildup and help them perform efficiently! Don’t worry if your state has several storms throughout the year—it actually might benefit your panels!
Snow
Rain might wash dust, dirt, and pollen away, but what happens when it snows? Snowstorms can cause large and heavy covering on any roof. This buildup causes two concerns among solar owners:
- Can solar panels withstand the weight?
- Can panels still produce efficiently with snow coverage?
First, solar panels are built with high quality materials and can hold several hundred pounds of pressure per square foot. This means your roof will likely break before your panels do because of the weight of even the heaviest snowfall.
Hurricanes and Tornadoes
In a Category 5 hurricane, wind speeds can blow gusts of over 150 miles per hour. At this wind speed, little stands a chance of surviving. However, solar panels have been designed to withstand high wind speeds and must be installed according to city roof standards and regulations. This means before any system is energized it must be authorized and approved by a city representative.
Solar panels should lay low and close to the roof when installed properly. Panels should act as part of the roof, preventing any wind from going underneath the panels and causing lift.
Going Solar with Solar Peak
At Solar Peak, we use the highest quality and most durable panels. We also offer a production guarantee, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a 25-year panel warranty. We make going solar simple and pain-free.
Do you want to become a part of the Solar Peak family and start saving big by going solar? Receive a free solar consultation today. In this consultation, one of our solar specialists will walk you through a custom-designed solar proposal for your home and give you an estimate of how much you can save a month.
