Are Solar Panels Safe in Hurricane-Prone Environments?

Photo credit: CoreBurn

A minor catch-22 exists for solar homeowners in some regions of the country, namely places like Florida and the greater Gulf region. These locations enjoy a large amount of sunshine but also face increasingly daunting hurricane seasons. This results in added safety concerns for rooftop solar installations, leading some to question whether solar panels are a safe choice in such a sunny yet variable climate.

There is an important adage to remember here:

A solar panel is only as strong as the roof it is mounted on.

I imagine building codes in hurricane-prone regions are constantly updated as designs and materials improve to withstand hurricane force winds. Flush-mount solar panels or integrated solar shingles are probably the best product for these homeowners in order to minimize powerful updrafts. And when installing a solar system it would also be wise to ensure the overall strength of the roof system itself in the process, especially on older homes.

All that being said, sometimes there is no defying Mother Nature. A strong enough hurricane — what your insurance company might call an “act of God” — could blow the entire roof off the most well-constructed home. But if we always lived in fear of that then, well, no one would live in Florida.

Solar panel mounting systems are built to withstand powerful winds, but are not impervious to damage, and there is always the chance that wind or flying debris could be a problem. My best recommendation would be to address all concerns with your solar contractor prior to installation. Discuss the best products and design for your region. Considering that hurricanes come every year, any building contractor in a hurricane-prone environment should have plenty of knowledge and experience in preparing for the worst.

Posted on June 8th in Going Solar by Dan.