Scientists Map How to Protect Solar Panels From Hail

A single hailstorm shouldn't be able to wipe out over half of a massive solar farm, but that's exactly what happened in Texas four years ago.

In 2019, hail destroyed 400,000 of 650,000 solar panels at a utility-scale power plant in Texas. European scientists just released the first complete guide on how to stop this from happening again.

The research team from Italy's University of Catania and Germany's European Severe Storms Laboratory reviewed every major study on hail damage to solar panels. They examined lab tests, computer simulations, and real-world damage reports from across the United States and Europe.

The timing couldn't be better. In 2023 alone, Europe recorded nearly 10,000 large hail events causing billions in damage. Northern Italy got hit with $7.1 billion in hail losses in just one month last July.

As solar energy expands worldwide, these storms pose a growing threat to keeping the lights on. The researchers found that current knowledge was scattered across different studies and regions, making it hard for solar companies to protect their investments.

Why This Inspires

The scientists didn't just document the problem. They mapped out real solutions that solar farms can use right now.

Simple fixes like adjusting panel tilt angles can help hail bounce off instead of smashing through. Thicker protective glass provides better defense without major redesigns. Some facilities are testing protective netting that deploys above solar arrays when storms approach.

High-tech options show even more promise. Single-axis trackers can automatically tilt panels to a safer angle when hail threatens. Advanced computer models are getting better at predicting exactly when and where dangerous hailstorms will strike.

The review also highlights gaps that future research can fill. Scientists want to test how different temperatures affect impact damage, study irregular hailstone shapes instead of perfect spheres, and understand what happens when multiple hailstones hit the same spot.

For solar farms already installed, the team recommends assessing how panels hold up under combined threats like hail plus high winds. Better testing standards are emerging too. While current commercial panels must pass basic hail tests, a newer framework provides more rigorous evaluation to catch vulnerabilities before panels reach the field.

The research gives solar developers a complete playbook for the first time. Every new solar farm can now be designed with location-specific hail protection from day one, and existing facilities know exactly which upgrades will provide the best defense.

As renewable energy becomes crucial for fighting climate change, keeping solar panels safe from extreme weather isn't just about protecting equipment anymore. It's about ensuring clean energy stays reliable when communities need it most.