What Happens to Solar Panels in a Hurricane?

So you made the investment in solar panels. Awesome step towards reducing your costs AND your carbon footprint. Maybe you haven’t gone solar yet, and are still in the process of doing the research you need to feel good about the decision. That’s fine too! We want all of our customers to feel comfortable and confident about going solar.

Living in Florida, hurricanes and harsh weather are a fact of life. No doubt you are wondering about how a strong storm would impact your solar system. We hope it brings you comfort in knowing that Bison Roofing & Solar is an entirely Florida based company. So unlike many other solar companies in South Florida, who expanded here but have headquarters in other parts of the country, we have known what we were getting into from the start. As a result we offer some of the best hurricane resistant solar panels in the industry.

Solar Panels and Hurricanes

Solar panels are built to last. They are tough, and can withstand winds up to 170 mph. In fact, that is a requirement in many municipalities throughout Florida. To put things in perspective, 170 mph winds equate to a category 5 hurricane. If we are to get hit by one of those, we will be worried about a lot more than just our solar panels! Only three hurricanes of this strength have ever made landfall in the U.S. However, you can take comfort in knowing that chances are your panels will withstand even the harshest of storms, while some other things may not!

Your solar panels will also continue to produce energy even in rainy weather. You don’t have to worry about using less electricity or your appliances working at a lower capacity because it is raining outside. The only time you will lose electricity is if power is completely knocked out by the storm. This is because your solar panels are still connected to FPL’s grid.

How Are Solar Panels Secured for Hurricanes?

There is a lot of talk out there about solar panels pulling roofing off of homes during harsh storms. This is absolutely not the case. If anything, they will help to fortify your roof. Roof-mounted solar panels are secured directly to the decking of the roof. Solar racking is also used to make for a sturdy connection to your roof.

What to do about solar panels when a storm is approaching?

Not much! Like we’ve talked about, solar panels are built to last and withstand harsh weather. They are made to be waterproof for decades, storms or no storms. Do not attempt to remove or cover them, or hire anyone to do so. It is completely unnecessary and will do more harm than good. The panels will not make your roof weaker or cause it to fly off by any means… unless your roof was already in poor enough shape to fall off in the first place. If that’s the case, check out our roofing page here:

Bison Roofing

The Bottom Line

In the extremely rare case that something were to happen, chances are you are covered by your home insurance. It is a good idea to check with your insurance provider as hurricane season approaches to make sure you are fully covered. If you are concerned, taking some photos of your panels and your entire home is always a good idea prior to inclement weather.

As Florida hurricane season approaches, there is no reason for you to question the integrity of your solar installation. However, if you do have any questions or concerns, we are here to help.

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