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Protecting Solar Farms from Catastrophic Hailstorms: Strategies for Resilience – Inside Climate News

“Unveiling the Truth: How Solar Panels Are Defying Hailstorms”

Solar panels are a crucial component of the world’s transition to renewable energy sources, but they are not immune to the forces of nature. Hailstorms, in particular, pose a significant threat to solar panels, as evidenced by recent events at the Fighting Jays solar project in southeast Texas. The damage caused by hailstones the size of baseballs can be devastating, leading to thousands of panels being pockmarked with broken glass.

However, the solar industry is not sitting idly by in the face of this challenge. Solar developers and manufacturers are actively working to mitigate the risks posed by hailstorms through a combination of advanced weather forecasting and innovative panel technology. Companies like DTN and Nextracker are at the forefront of this effort, developing systems that can adjust panel angles to avoid direct hits from hail.

The increasing severity of storms due to climate change adds urgency to these efforts, as solar energy continues to expand rapidly around the world. While incidents of hail damage to solar farms are still relatively rare, the potential for more severe storms in the future raises concerns about the resilience of solar infrastructure.

In response to these challenges, solar industry experts emphasize the importance of selecting the right combination of module technology and tracker stowing capabilities to minimize damage from hail. Recent case studies have shown promising results, with stowing trackers successfully reducing damage to solar panels during hailstorms.

Despite the damage caused by hail at the Fighting Jays solar farm, the co-owner of the project has reassured the public that there is no risk of environmental contamination from the damaged panels. The focus should be on understanding and addressing the risks posed by hailstorms to solar infrastructure, rather than sensationalizing the incident.

As the solar industry continues to evolve and expand, it is crucial to invest in research and technology that can enhance the resilience of solar panels to extreme weather events. By staying ahead of the curve and implementing innovative solutions, the solar industry can continue to play a vital role in the global transition to clean energy.

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