5 Common Causes of Solar Panel Damage

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

Solar panel damaged in Apopka, FL

More and more homes in Apopka, FL, are installing solar panels. They may require extra expense upfront, but in the long run, they're a sustainable and cost-efficient energy alternative. If you're thinking about investing in solar power, you may be concerned about the potential for panel damage. Here are five of its most common causes.

1. Extreme Weather

Since solar-powered panels need exposure to the sun to work, they're also regularly subjected to a variety of other elements, including the weather. Snow, rain, and hail all have the potential to damage panels, as well as other parts of your home, requiring the aid of an experienced storm damage restoration company. Fortunately, it usually takes an excessive amount of snow, rain, hail or wind to actually cause harm. Panels and their racking are carefully designed to hold up against most of what Mother Nature throws their way.

2. Fire

Faulty wiring can cause panel and roof damage if left unaddressed. To protect your solar panels, make sure their wiring is fenced in or otherwise contained and that children or pets are unable to access it.

3. Tree Branches

Falling tree limbs and branches have the potential to cause panel damage. For this reason, it's important for solar panel owners to keep nearby trees trimmed and well-maintained.

4. Overheating

The job of a solar panel may be to soak up the sun's rays, but that doesn't mean it's immune to overheating. Panels that regularly get too hot may require the installation of fans or another type of ventilation system to ensure that things run smoothly.

5. Lightning

Lightning is a solar panel's nemesis. If one of your panels gets zapped by a lightning strike, it's likely done for. Fortunately, solar panel owners have a variety of lightning protection systems to choose from, including grounding schemes and surge protection devices.
Solar panels are built to withstand the elements, but they're not immune to them. By keeping these five common causes of damage in mind, owners can prepare for potential panel damage and protect their eco-friendly investment for years to common.

SERVPRO of Apopka Wekiva is proud to serve Central Florida cities like Orlando, Wekiva Springs, Apopka, Lockhart, Zellwood and many more.