Solar Panels and Hurricane Season

If you live along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts, you know that hurricane season is a serious concern. Naturally, you might wonder: can your home solar panels actually withstand severe storms? 

The short answer is yes — modern solar systems are engineered to handle high winds and heavy rain. Here’s why your setup is tougher than you might think, along with practical tips to prepare for hurricane season.

Can solar panels survive a hurricane?

Yes, solar panels can survive hurricanes. This is good news since there are tons of solar panels in Florida, Texas, Georgia, North and South Carolina, all the way up to Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. 

Solar panels are designed to handle all kinds of inclement weather conditions like rain, snow, hail, and even hurricanes. Solar panels are tested to ensure they can handle the force of a hurricane up to about 140 miles per hour. In addition, solar panel casings are waterproof, even under extreme rain and wind conditions.

When solar panels are attached to your roof, your solar installer will use long, strong lag bolts that attach the racking directly to your rafters, ensuring a strong connection between your roof and the solar power system. As long as your rafters stay attached to your house, your solar panels should have no problem surviving a hurricane.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (now the National Laboratory of the Rockies), of 50,000 solar energy systems installed between 2009 and 2013 included in the study, only 0.1% of all photovoltaic (PV) systems were reported to have been damaged or underperforming each year.

NREL released a report in January 2024 stating short-term system performance of commercial and utility-scale solar installations is minimally affected by extreme weather. Most outages, from 2008-22, were from flood and rain conditions, followed by high-wind events. Where there were solar systems with outages, the average length of outage was 2-4 days and the average loss in annual performance was 1%.

Large-sized hail, high-wind conditions, and major snowfalls are the most likely conditions to have a negative effect on long-term performance.

Here are a few real-world examples of solar panels standing up to infamous hurricanes:

1. Hurricane Sandy: In 2012, when Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, the state had 103 megawatts (MW) of PV capacity installed. After the storm, analysts found little or no damage from the hurricane. According to one solar system installer who had serviced over 200 customers, only a few metal casings were damaged by flooding, and one extremely large system had a couple of panels come loose.
2. Hurricane Maria: In 2017, when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, a VA hospital in San Juan had a 645 kilowatt (kW) solar array that continued working at 100%, even after being exposed to 180 MPH winds. The flexible racking and anchoring systems used to keep the solar panels in place kept them from flying away.
3. Hurricane Florence: In 2018, Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, leaving some fossil-fuel plants shut down for weeks from the flooding and damage. However, solar panels owned by Duke Energy were back to producing power the day after the storm.
4. Hurricane Ian: In 2022, when Hurricane Ian swept through eastern Florida, Babcock Ranch, which calls itself “America’s first solar-powered town” and is powered by more than 700,000 solar panels, suffered no loss of power and minimal damage, despite the storm uprooting trees and tearing shingles from roofs.

Data from National Hurricane Center

How solar installers prepare for hurricanes

Solar panel installers will follow several methods to ensure your solar panels remain in place during a hurricane.

Building codes

Your installer must get a permit before installing your solar panels and build your system to local code specifications. Areas with extreme weather like hurricanes often have special rules about installation to ensure system components stay attached during heavy winds.

System designs

Solar panel engineers have created specific solar panel designs for hurricane-prone areas. Flexible racking and anchoring systems have been devised to move with the hurricane-force winds rather than breaking when the wind hits.

Top-rated equipment

High-quality equipment and materials have been tested against extremely high winds. This is especially important in areas that could face a direct hit from a hurricane.

Roof condition

Your solar panel installer will start the process of going solar by ensuring your roof is a good foundation to safely and securely install solar panels. Solar installers shouldn’t put a system on a roof that can’t support it.

Roof location

Requirements for where a solar panel is installed on a roof, like setbacks from the edge, can help reduce wind uplift — the upward pressure wind creates on solar panels.

Homeowner tips for hurricane protection

The biggest concern with a hurricane is debris will hit your panels and cause damage, but there are things you can do to help protect your solar panels before a hurricane arrives.

1. If you have possible projectiles in your yard — picnic tables, chairs, or toys — remove and store them before a storm.
2. Get regular maintenance checks on your solar panels to catch small issues before they become big problems. If your panels have an issue, you can fix it before hurricane season.
3. When you get your solar panel system installed, add it to your homeowner's insurance, ensure you have enough insurance to cover it, and know how to make a claim. Read your policy carefully to ensure your insurance covers natural disasters.
4. Don't wait to add your panels to your insurance until right before a hurricane. There is a chance the paperwork won't go through before the storm.
5. Have up-to-date photos of your panels for any insurance claim. Many homeowners take pictures of their homes and possessions before a large storm, so include your solar panels in that process.
6. Know the warranty information for your solar panel system, so you can quickly call the company in charge of your warranty for repairs or replacement if needed.
7. Get a lightning protection system for your home. If your home isn't protected, lightning hitting your home could cause damage to your solar panels and your home's electric equipment. Your options for lightning prevention vary, but you can often get something as simple as a lightning conductor or a path to the ground that redirects lightning.
8. Don’t cover up or remove your solar panels. You might end up doing unintentional damage to them in the process. Panels are designed to withstand severe weather conditions, so leave them uncovered and let them help protect other parts of your roof.

The National Laboratory of the Rockies has a detailed storm preparation checklist.

What to do with solar after a hurricane

After the hurricane has passed and you and your family are safe, you should check your home for damage, including checking your solar power system.

1. If you took a picture of your solar panels before the storm, compare the state of your solar panels after it. However, you should only do this if you can do so without climbing on your roof. Climbing on a steep or slippery roof can be very dangerous after a hurricane.
2. If your panels appear damaged, call your solar panel company. They can inspect your wiring, panels, mounting, battery storage, and any related hardware.
3. If your panels or other parts of your home were damaged, file an insurance claim as soon as possible to begin the process of getting that damage repaired.
4. If you have solar batteries and they weren’t damaged by the storm, you can use the saved-up electricity to power your home until the electricity comes back on.

Tips & tricks for solar power in hurricane areas

If you live in an area at risk of hurricanes, rest assured that solar panel systems are designed to stand up to heavy winds and other extreme weather. Reputable solar companies take the following steps to ensure solar panels stand up to your region’s worst weather.

• Follow building codes
• Use designs specific to your region's weather
• Use high-quality, top-rated equipment
• Ensure your roof is in the proper condition to have solar panels attached
• Find the best location on your roof to install the solar panel system

Even with a quality installation, you can still complete certain tasks before a hurricane to help protect your investment.

• Get rid of anything in your yard that could be a projectile.
• Set up a regular maintenance schedule for your solar panels.
• Get your solar panel system added to your insurance.
• Ensure your insurance covers other issues like roof, wind, and water damage.
• Have up-to-date photos of your solar power system.
• Know your warranty information so you know who to call after the hurricane.
• Get lightning protection for your home.

There are things you can do after the hurricane passes and you and your family are safe.

• Do a visual check for damage to your solar power system. (Do not climb onto your roof. Let a professional do that.)
• Call your solar panel company to address any issues.
• If needed, put in a claim with your insurance company.

Users of the Palmetto app have the easy ability to check the status of their home solar power anytime, anywhere. If you're ready to install solar panels and enjoy the benefits of solar energy, get a free solar savings estimate today.

Frequently asked questions

Do solar panels work in hurricanes?

In the worst part of a hurricane, no, your panels aren’t likely to generate power. But after the storm passes, your solar panels will work, assuming your system hasn’t been damaged.

If the power is out in your area, your panels may not work, since standalone panels are designed to shut down with the grid. However, with a backup battery attached that can temporarily separate you from the grid, solar panels can keep at least parts of your home powered up through an outage.

Can hurricanes blow solar panels off of a roof?

It’s possible but unlikely. Solar panels are designed to withstand very high wind speeds and extreme weather conditions. The system’s other components, such as the racking and anchoring, are built to withstand high wind and rain. 

What winds can solar panels withstand?

Solar panels are generally designed and manufactured to withstand hurricane-force winds up to about 140 mph.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.