Protecting Your Roof From Solar Panel Damage
1/15/2022 (Permalink)
While solar panels are designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions, they need to be maintained. Heavy storms can cause panel damage, and it’s important to understand when and how to protect your paneling against the weather in Geneva, IL. If your panels are damaged or obstructed, you want to troubleshoot the issue quickly and return your roof to maximize energy production.
How Storms Can Damage Paneling
Storms of different intensities cause different kinds of damage:
- Hailstones break and expose paneling.
- Heavy snow can lead to water damage.
- Water damage wears away casing over time.
- Pebbles and leaves block energy production.
Panels are made of several small cells linked together. Because of this, hailstones and rocks can break apart the cells and expose the interior of the panel to moisture. While a team can repair covering if the panel damage is minimal, your best bet is to have severely broken panels replaced by a professional. If you can predict hail storms, consider investing in a cover to protect against roof damage.
How To Protect Your Panels From Damage Over Time
Water damage from rain and snow is a predictable and easily fixed issue. Over time, water can wear down the protective casing on your panels, exposing the interior and limiting energy production. Having your panels resealed periodically can help maximize your energy output.
General maintenance keeps paneling optimized throughout the year. This may include hiring a professional cleaner to maintain the panels out of reach or installing a monitoring system to keep track of energy production. Additionally, make sure to keep your panels free from debris, like leaves or stones transported by rough storms.
Solar paneling is built to withstand natural phenomena and can last over 20 years with proper attention. To inform yourself about the best ways of avoiding and addressing panel damage, contact an expert and get the most out of your energy system.