Damage to Solar Panels in Storms?

[playalynn]

Are solar panels subject to pitting or flying away in dust, wind or hail storms? If so, how best to protect?

[2WheelGuy]

Solar experts tell me that solar panels sold in US must withstand a baseball striking surface at 60 MPH

I've seen pictures of RV roofs after a hailstorm and everything was obliterated except the solar panels.

I've had mine 6 years with no problems.....spray clean when dusty and you can improve efficiency from 85% (dusty) to 100% (clean)

Properly secured in a strong wind you should not have any worries.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Are solar panels subject to ... flying away in dust, wind or hail storms? ...

Everything is subject to flying away in sudden wind gusts, including big tents, small tents, shade structures, works of art, small children... Strap everything down and anchor for hurricane-force winds. They're not common, but you probably won't any warning, either.

[Token]

I'd worry more about the following two scenarios:

1. Some drunk/high fart-knocker on a bike blindly plows into your solar panel.

2. Someone decides to steal your panel, especially during the Man Burn.

Cover those two, secure against wind, and you are good.

[playalynn]

Thanks so much! Im planning to place atop my Blackrock Shade structure. Will cogitate on securing and angling to sun. Should solve for tripping hazard!

[some seeing eye]

You might enjoy chatting on-playa with the villagers at the Alternative Energy Zone, and the Snow Koan camp - manu solar experts.

[playalynn]

Great info! I was wondering who.

[nixiebunny]

If you are going to tilt it towards the sun, just make a simple 45 degree stand, with equal length pieces for upright and base segments. I use four aluminum angle pieces cut to ~3/4 the width of the panel.

The result is 50% more power!

[SourPatch]

If you are more methodical like me, aim to have the panels at 31.13 degrees.

[vlajim]

At noon You can check alinement by putting a piece of typing paper on the panel, stand a pencil perpendicular to the paper and adjust the panel angle until there is no shadow from the pencil. This will be my 4th Burn and I look forward to doing a study of solar power systems, no matter the size.
I will be using a 120 watt system to power my CPAP machine and amateur radio station. Hope to meet you face to face, 73'S KA5SIW VLAJim