Solar Panel Hail Protection: Complete Homeowner Guide

The problem of hail damage to solar panels is the homeowners worst fear.  One surprise hailstorm can completely destroy a solar array. 

Here are the general categories of hail stones.

The process of getting quotes for repair, submitting insurance claims, and ultimately getting a new installation, is a real inconvenience.

Hail blocker nets can prevent a repeat of the same process when the next hailstorm occurs.

The process of solar panel damage from hail does not start with hundreds of small hail stone impacts.  It starts with a few impacts by large hails stones. The impact of the large hail stone weakens the glass, then repeated impacts by smaller hail stones completely shatter the glass. 

This is demonstrated by examination of multiple solar panels in a single array. Typically there are some shattered panels, surrounded by many unbroken panels. The shattered panels nearly always show a  large impact, and doxens of subsequent small impact. The key is to prevent the large hailstone impacts.

Hail Blocker nets are physically stronger than most other nets, and have openings that are only 1-inch wide. This helps ensure any hail stones that penetrate are below the 1-inch hailstone rating of typical tier-one  solar panel manufacturers.

A protected solar array releaves the homeowner from constant concern about solar panel damage. Return on investment, and assurance of savings on future electric bills are no longer a concern.