Hail damage

[highestbid]

I had planned to put up panels late last year but the weather here has been a b!#ch so I put it off. Now I am facing replacing my roof for the second time in as many years due to hail damage. I am starting to wonder if I just live in a bad area for solar. Pretty sure I dont want to mount them on the roof itself but maybe there is still hope with an adjustable ground mount so that I could go vertical and maybe mitigate some of the damage.

Thoughts?

Thanks
Jerry

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

While I have solar mini splits, this is holding me back as well. I'm waiting (? ) for a hailstorm to roll thru and see how panels (I have ground mount) really put up with 1" hail as advertised.

I know people will say "Insurance", and that's all well and good, but who really enjoys dealing with THOSE A-Holes ?? Would rather survive unscathed.

 

[ricardocello]

Is that an insurance map or from a weather site?

curious effect at the north carolina / virginia border
similarly, georgia and alabama
probably not a physical effect, but a reporting difference

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

FEMA, actually..I just marked up my location and saved it off

Soltec introduces hail defense algorithm for solar trackers

Hail losses in the United States exceeded $1 billion in 2021.

www.pv-magazine.com

 

[Texas-Mark]

I know people will say "Insurance", and that's all well and good, but who really enjoys dealing with THOSE A-Holes ?? Would rather survive unscathed.

IMO, if you have hail bad enough to damage the panels. your roof and other items are going to have issues too requiring a call to the insurance company anyway.

I have had a few hail storms. One required new roof, but the panels on my shed roof were fine. Another time I had no house roof damage, but had a few panels damaged (along with a few other outdoor items). They covered the panels under "personal property".

 

[Plum Crazy Rob]

I have had a few hail storms. One required new roof, but the panels on my shed roof were fine. Another time I had no house roof damage, but had a few panels damaged (along with a few other outdoor items). They covered the panels under "personal property".

Interesting info, and that's what I understood they WILL cover them without a rider ($). I doubt that will last though? Guess it, as always, depends on their losses.

 

[highestbid]

We lose an insurance company every year down here is South East Texas. Floods and storms have just made it unprofitable, or so they claim. Down to just a handful left -- then what?

 

[seneysolar]

How many panels are we talking?

Panels themselves are relatively cheap. I would just self insure and keep spares/ buy extra in case they quit making your model.

Keeping them vertical on a pole mount might help during storm season.

 

[Eber]

Like the map, like even better that PA has low risk. Now if only we had sunshine in the winter...
Good times.