Solar panels are designed such that they can take a significant hit on them – thus, objects such as coconuts and other fruits falling on them, even some stones falling on them, or being hit during hail storms should not create any harm to the panels.
Let’s just say that solar panels are built to handle the elements. It’ll take a significant hit to crack them.
Most panels are now made of tempered glass and built to withstand a one-inch hail coming at it at 80 Kms/hour – that’s a lot of force.
Now, of course, there is a limit for anything, and depending on the solar panel brand you purchase, there will be an upper limit to the force that can be applied on the solar panel which does not break the glass or create any other harm. Do check for this limit with your installer/solar panel manufacturer.
Overall, it can be mentioned that only really heavy objects falling on solar panels should be a concern – and as you will agree, the likelihood of very heavy objects falling on solar panels is not exactly very high!
Look at the kind of stuff being done to this solar panel, and how the panel has patiently withstood the torture!
By the way, high quality solar panels are put to a wide array of tests before they are put into the market.
They are tested for their ability to withstand high temperatures, biting frost, heavy storms, blowing sand and dense snow loads. Top tier companies do a thorough testing materials, prototypes and finished solar panels using climate chamber, electrical, mechanical and UV tests. This ensures optimal performance and durability.
Solar panel testing standards are also mentioned by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Some examples of tests that solar panels undergo:
- Hail impact test – Replicates a natural hail storm by dropping a 1.1-pound, one-inch steel ball onto solar panels from a height of 5 m, repeated many time on different points of impacts.
- Panel breakage test – Subjects panels to brutal impacts by heavy or hard objects to ensure stability and break-resistance. Occasionally hard objects fall onto roofs and these tests are conducted to ensure that roof-mounted solar panels will withstand these impacts.
- Salt spray test – Makes sure panels are ideally suited for coastal areas and salty air by exposing the solar panel to a salt mist mixture and then storing it under humid conditions to simulate coastal conditions.
- Mechanical load test – Ensures panels withstand extreme weather conditions, including excessive wind pressure, wind suction and snow load. Alternating pressure and suction are applied using both static and dynamic forces.
- Climate chamber test – Puts solar panels through extreme temperature fluctuations in order to emulate 25 years of weather changes. In the climate chamber, the modules withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius to as high as 85 degrees Celsius. This cycle is repeated in some cases hundreds of times by some high quality solar panel manufacturers.
- Field installation and peel tests – Tests performance by exposing solar panels to real wind and weather conditions in varying climate zones—not just contrived laboratory conditions.. Peel tests confirm the superior reliability of sheet-to-glass and inter-sheet connections, which is a key contributor to the long lifespan of solar panels.
Other than the above tests for physical robustness, a number of tests are also conducted to ensure electrical performance and safety etc.
You Might Want to Check Out these Questions Too on Risks & Warranties
- How Much Do I Stand to Lose If I Choose a Poor Quality Solar Panel?-Here
- Have there been Real Life Failures of Solar Panels within a Few Years after Installation?-Here
- Can Solar Panels Withstand Hailstorms?-Here
- Can Solar Panels Withstand Snow and Rain?-Here
- Can Solar Panels be Damaged by Floods?-Here
- What Happens if the Solar Panel Manufacturer Goes Out of Business?-Here
- What Warranties Should I Look for While Purchasing Solar Panels?-Here
- What Happens if there are Bird Droppings on Solar Panels?-Here
- What Happens if Someone Accidentally Walks on Solar Panels?-Here
- What is PID (performance induced degradation) of a Solar Panel?-Here
- How Can I Protect Solar Panels Against Monkeys and Other Animals?-Here
- What All Can Go Wrong with Solar Panels?-Here
- What Types of Insurance are Available for Solar Panels?-Here
- What is the Shading of Solar Panels all About? What are Its Implications?-Here
- What are Light Induced Defects in Solar Cells?-Here
- What is a Solar Module Derate Factor?-Here
- If a Cell in a Solar Panel Doesn’t Work, Does It Affect Generation from Other Cells?-Here
EVALUATION PARAMETERS
Pingback: Can Solar Panels Withstand Snow and Rain? - Solar Mango – #1 guide for solar
Pingback: Can Solar Panels be Damaged by Floods? - Solar Mango – #1 guide for solar
Pingback: Can Solar Panels Withstand Hailstorms? - Solar Mango – #1 guide for solar