Arizona is known for its monsoon season and high-intensity winds. Many homes have solar panels in Arizona because they receive a high amount of sunlight as well, but can these panels survive monsoons? While solar panels are built to be durable, they can experience damage over time, especially in extreme climates. This blog will share more about how solar panels survive monsoons and what protective measures can be taken.
Production Loss During Storms
One of the biggest questions about solar panels during monsoon season is whether they will still produce energy for a home. During a storm, solar panels produce around 30-50% of their maximum. Heavy rain and wind can cause dust to coat the panels which will reduce the amount of sunlight that can be collected. Most storms also come with cloud cover that can limit the amount of UV rays that are available to the solar panels.
Professional panel cleaning should be done even more frequently during monsoon season. Cleaning the panels will remove hard water stains, dust, pollen, bird droppings, and more. It is recommended that you have your panels cleaned twice a year, but in certain climates, quarterly cleaning can be more beneficial.
Maintaining Solar Panels During Storm Season
Since monsoon season lasts multiple months in Arizona, maintaining your panels during the season is important. Inspecting the panels after a storm will help homeowners and businesses stay on top of damages. After a storm, your panels should be inspected by a professional and damages should be repaired quickly.
Before monsoon season, homeowners can trim surrounding trees to limit falling branches to help panels survive monsoons. Large trees can also impact how much sunlight the panels receive, especially on overcast days.
Other ways to maintain your solar panels to help them survive monsoons include:
- Frequent cleaning (before and after monsoon season)
- Inspect frames, panels, and connections frequently
- Get advice from a professional
- Replace old panels or sections
Wind Load Testing
Before solar panels are sold to the masses, they go through rigorous testing to ensure they are durable. Wind load testing, moisture testing, and other simulations are done to ensure that the solar panels withstand extreme conditions.
Wind load testing mimics the effects of high winds that come with monsoons and tropical storms. When panels can handle winds of a certain threshold, they are able to be put on homes and businesses. In order to survive monsoons, panels need to be able to withstand 30 mph winds.
Protective Measures Against The Elements
Even after panels are installed, protective measures can be taken to enhance durability. Waterproofing the panels with a coating will help moisture run off the panels. Keeping moisture off the panels not only helps improve functionality but also limits the risk of mold growth.
Reinforcing the frames of the panels and ensuring proper electrical connections are also important to keep panels intact. During a storm, these elements can become weakened. Repairing them and inspecting small components after each storm is important.
Tilted Mountings
Solar panels are installed at a tilt to help reduce the likelihood of wind damage. The tilt also allows for maximum light collection during cloudy or overcast days. Having your solar panels installed by a professional company is the best way to maximize energy production and minimize panel damage. Tilting the panels also allows dust and other debris to slide off easily.
Professional Solar Panels From American Solar & Roofing
After nearly 25 years of business, our team knows how to problem solve, create durable setups, and keep your home or business in the best condition. We are Arizona’s top solar panel installation company. American Solar and Roofing has the skills and experience to keep your home efficient for years to come.
Not only do we offer service for solar panels, but we also offer solar panel installation and roofing installation.
American Solar and Roofing knows all about Arizona weather and how to protect your home from damage. Whether you want a more sustainable home or are looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency with durable roofing, we can help. Contact our team to schedule your service today and see the American Solar and Roofing difference for yourself.
