Is hail damage to solar panels a concern?

[WileyOhio]

Our new RV has solar panels.  I’ve heard stories about hail destroying solar panels, truth or legend?  Assuming truth, what would be an effective shield suitable for RVs in the event of predicted hail?

[GlennWest]

I doubt small hail will. Now if it is big enough to take out a windshield It likely take out a panel.

[fpmtngal]

My trailer has been in some regular sized hail, nothing really big, and none of my panels have been damaged.  The glass is pretty strong.  But I would agree - hail the size big enough to take out windows would likely break a panel.

The only panel I’ve had that’s been damaged is a portable panel that was blown over by a dust-devil.  It landed on the rocks (the volcanic rocks/gravel that is all around Quartzsite) and the glass got scratched.  The panel still works and I’m still using it.

[Randyretired]

If the hail is big enough to take out the panels the panels most likely will be the least of your worries.  Solar panels are pretty robust but not impervious.  Many here have solar panels on their RV and few have problems.  I have had solar for many years and never had a solar panel break.

[folivier]

When I was still working a solar panel at one of my locations went through a hurricane. When I got onsite the glass was completed shattered and most of it was missing. The brackets had broken. The panel itself was hanging off the side of a platform facing the sun. Only thing holding it was the wire. It was still producing almost the same as it was before the damage.

[RV_]

We are in hail central and here's a pic of my workshop gutter after one of three major hail event here in a small area of the Springs that always gets hit.

That was from golf ball size hail. We got hit July 4th and July 7 2023 and twice more with smaller hail. We had to replace both roofs house and workshop and repaint the house and one side of the shop, replacing all the gutters on the house and several siding sections as well as replacing the vinyl window trim that was cracked. However our neighbor's new solar on his house had zero damage. Nor did I see anyone's solar. The hail did not damage any of our windows however so it may be you would want to angle your solar on RVs if they move, but don't get me to lying as that is just a guess. I am still wavering on solar and Powerwalls. We decided to get rid of the 2019 Subaru Forester and trade in my 4 year old Model Y long range AWD for two new 2024 Model Y long range AWD for this year's taxes and do the solar next year to offset some capital gains.

Edited January 16 by RV_