Installing solar panels is one of the best ways to go green while saving money on home energy in the long run. However, many home owners are wondering whether photovoltaics can withstand extreme weather conditions such as stormy weather and snow. The performance of solar panels may vary under different climate conditions, but as a rule of thumb, many manufacturers produce photovoltaics that do a good job in stormy weather.

Can PV Tiles Work in Stormy Weather?

It’s a common myth that PV tiles do not work in stormy weather, but the truth is that they can actually work even when the sun is not shining. Even though solar panels generate the most electricity on days with lots of sunshine, they actually work well in cloudy weather too.

Photovoltaics work even when clouds block the light partially or when they reflect it. Rain is actually a good thing for solar panels, as it keeps them running efficiently by washing away dirt and dust. When it comes to storms and other kinds of extreme weather such as snow, it is important to notice that the installation of the panels takes these into account, as the team assesses the wind speed the system can tolerate, as well as the amount of snow the photovoltaics and roof must hold.

Before installing photovoltaics, solar companies first make a house visit, during which they go up on the roof, take measurements, and look for signs of damage or wear that can affect the way the photovoltaics will behave in case of extreme weather conditions. Photovoltaics that are built into the roof are less likely to come unattached and blow away, so it’s worth looking into them when you decide what kind of photovoltaics to use for your home.

Photovoltaics and High Winds

Wind is one of the most common elements in a storm that photovoltaics need to face. Moreover, winds are likely to affect the solar panels even if there is not a big storm, but simply a day with high winds. There are numerous factors that affect photovoltaics in relation to wind, which include air density, wind speed, the orientation and angle of the photovoltaics, nearby buildings and geography, as well as elevation of the ground.

What Happens if Photovoltaics Are Struck by Lightning?

Photovoltaics will not increase the probability of lightening strikes, but in the event of the solar generator being hit by a lightning strike, your modules are likely to suffer damage unless you use an integration of an external lightning protection system. The risk of damage can be reduced significantly by the use of tiered surge protection at the utility grid feed-in point.

If you want to learn more about the types of materials that would work well for your home and how the weather can affect your PV roof tiles, our knowledgeable team is here to help. Just get in touch with us for a consultation or a free quotation for your roofing project, by filling in our contact form