Protecting Your Solar Panels From Hail, Wind & Critters

Weather and wildlife are real concerns for solar owners. Hail, wind uplift, and critters can damage systems or reduce performance. This blog covers how your panels are protected from these problems and if you need to do anything yourself. At Orizon Energy we take the precautions as a standard approach to give you peace of mind and ensure we have done everything we can to keep your system running for decades.

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Hail & Impact Performance

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Most PV glass withstands small hail with no issue, much larger hail can become an issue though. Steps you can take to mitigate:

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• Choose panels with a strong hail rating. Orizon Energy already provides panels with a higher impact rating capable of withstanding golf ball sized hail at speeds up to 82 ft/s.
• Install with sufficient stand off (tilt) to reduce impact.
• Maintain good installation records for warranty claims should you need them.

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Wind Uplift and Racking

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Proper racking and professional installation that meets local wind-load codes ensures panels stay secure during storms and windy seasons. Canada has some very windy areas and this part of the installation cannot be overlooked. If you are concerned about this ask your installer they will be more than happy to provide the specifics on how they mount your system securely. 

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Critter Guards & Animal Proofing

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Small animals and birds can nest under arrays or chew wiring. Installing critter guards and ensuring wiring is protected is essential to the longevity of your system. Orizon provides critter guards with every install with no additional charge. These guards act as a barrier to prevent animals from ever entering your solar system's internals. More prevention means less fixing later on.

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Routine Inspection

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Seasonal Checks for loose fasteners, debris, and nesting can help catch potential issues early. Make sure you hire a professional to complete thorough inspections so you don’t miss anything. 

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With correct design, panel choice, and mounting, most weather issues are manageable. Choose resilient components and work with installers experienced in the local climate and weather patterns, like Orizon Energy to make sure everything is ready for nature's durability tests.

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