Solar energy systems are built to withstand the most extreme weather conditions, including high-speed winds, hurricanes, hail, and snowstorms.
In rare cases, however, particularly severe weather can cause damage to solar installations in many parts of the United States. If you’re worried about extreme weather affecting your solar system’s performance, there are several things you can do before and after your installation to ensure everything can operate as safely and efficiently as possible.
To help maximize your investment in renewable energy, this guide outlines how extreme conditions can impact solar electricity production and what measures you can take to safeguard your home installation against severe weather events.
Understanding solar in extreme weather conditions
Built for a life outdoors, solar power systems can withstand a wide range of weather, temperatures, and operating conditions.
However, when conditions are abnormally severe, extreme weather events can lower solar panel efficiency and lead to lasting system damage. In 2024, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that small solar production losses after extreme weather events can even leave compounding effects, which greatly lower future energy generation.
While specific risks depend on where you live, here’s a look at how the most common extreme weather conditions can affect solar panel performance.
Weather condition | Impact on solar panels | Suggested solution |
Extreme temperatures | Overheating panels can reduce system efficiency | Install high quality solar system components with proper ventilation |
Snow | Blocks sunlight and limits power generation | Wait for snow to melt off panels or use a soft squeegee or brush for quick and careful removal if in accessible location |
Hail | Risk of physical damage to panel faces | Choose high quality panels in high-risk areas and install microinverters to limit system performance losses |
Hurricanes | Damage to your roof or system from flying debris | Use strong, hurricane-resilient mounting brackets and a racking system certified to perform in high-wind areas |
Solar systems in extreme heat and cold
On both ends of the spectrum, heatwaves and extremely low temperatures can impact solar energy system performance. While solar panels generate electricity at the highest efficiencies between 60°F to 95°F, most of today’s high quality systems can withstand extreme temperatures from -40°F to 150°F.
Solar panels in snow
Snow on solar panels can directly obstruct sunlight, temporarily limiting your system’s potential electricity production. With most installations on sloped roofs, snow will usually slide off solar panels naturally with enough direct sunlight or time—often at quicker rates than other roof surfaces.
When accumulation becomes severe, it may also be possible to clear snow from your solar panels manually and limit the risk of related damage. If you live in an area with frequent snowfall, you can purchase a specialized broom or brush with a telescoping pole to uncover safely accessible solar panels while standing on the ground, away from falling snow.
Solar panels and hail damage
Hail damage is one of the greatest weather-related threats to solar panels, primarily in the center of the U.S. In states like Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and surrounding areas, homeowners should be particularly vested in finding solar panels built to withstand hailstorms with thick glass, strong supports, and related testing certifications.
Most solar installations are rated to withstand hailstones as large as 1.75 inches, though massive stones can cause microcracks and even shatter panel glass. While damaged solar panels should be removed by a professional as soon as possible, microinverters can ensure your other panels continue generating electricity before the broken parts are replaced.
Solar energy systems and hurricanes
Around the Gulf of Mexico and on the eastern shores of the U.S., hurricanes pose a serious threat to home solar systems—primarily because of the high winds that carry flying debris. While some damage risks can be mitigated with proper installation and cyclone-rated mounting brackets, extremely severe hurricane conditions can destroy roofs and solar systems just the same.
If you live in an area with an annual hurricane season, talk to your installer about the structural integrity of both your roof and solar panel mounting system to maximize your system’s ongoing safety and performance.
Components of a weather-resilient solar installation
To prepare for potential outages caused by extreme weather events, installing a solar battery with backup can help power your home’s essentials whenever grid electricity is unavailable. For automatic preparedness, some of today’s most capable solar batteries contain storm detection features that track severe weather alerts and prioritize energy storage ahead of potential outages.
While you may be able to add a battery later, most of your solar energy system’s weather resiliency features must be considered before your installation. When working with a certified solar installer near you, the following can help increase your system's resiliency in extreme weather events:
High quality panels
Choosing high quality, durable, and impact-resistant solar panels is essential for those living in areas prone to severe weather events.
Secure solar mounting
Using a cyclone-rated solar mounting system can significantly increase your solar panels’ safety during extreme winds and storms with added stability and reduced risk of dislodging or damage.
Panel-level monitoring
Installing microinverters allows you to monitor your solar electricity production panel-by-panel, which makes it easier to detect losses and maintain maximum system efficiency in case of a single point of failure.
Learn more about solar and storm preparedness in this video.
Solar monitoring and maintenance after extreme weather events
After your installation, it’s good to become proactive in monitoring your solar energy system’s performance. If you notice any significant reductions in your average solar power generation, contact your solar installer or another professional to diagnose and fix the issue and minimize production losses. Routine expert inspections are also advised to help detect potential issues before they lead to further system damage.
After an extreme weather event, it’s recommended to inspect your solar system for any visible damage whenever it’s safe to do so. For your safety and to abide by system warranties, rooftop solar system inspections should always be performed by a professional who can closely examine every aspect of your equipment for potential cracks, loose fittings, and other damage.
Solar panel cleaning may also be necessary after extreme weather events or natural disasters, including dust storms and wildfires. If any dirt, ash, or debris has accumulated on your panels, clean them with hot soapy water and a soft brush. You can also contact professional help to ensure your installation is able to absorb the maximum amount of solar energy from direct sunlight.
Design your resilient home solar installation
Safeguarding your solar system’s durability during extreme weather requires high quality equipment installed by a professional. With an Enphase Home Energy System, you can maximize the performance and durability of your installation with industry-leading warranty periods, ultra-safe microinverter technology, and a nationwide network of certified experts.
Solar in extreme weather FAQs
How do extreme weather conditions impact solar systems?
Extreme weather can limit your solar panels’ performance, and severe conditions can damage equipment. While solar systems are designed to withstand many severe weather conditions, it’s best to monitor performance and inspect your equipment after a storm to determine if any damage has occurred.
What measures can be taken to protect solar systems from hurricanes?
To protect your solar system from hurricanes, be sure to use mounting equipment rated for extreme weather events. Today’s best home solar mounting equipment can withstand windspeeds up to 140 miles per hour when installed properly on your roof.
How long do solar systems last in extreme weather conditions?
While there are many recorded cases of extreme weather damaging solar systems, photovoltaic (PV) installations are very resilient to severe temperatures, winds, precipitants, and other outside threats. For example, in 2017, a storm rained down golf-ball-sized hail on Golden, Colorado at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour and only damaged one of over 3,000 solar panels on the NREL campus.
What steps should be taken after a severe weather event?
After a severe weather event, inspect your solar energy system for any obvious physical damage and check your solar monitoring app to ensure everything is working properly. If you suspect any damage may have occurred, contact a professional for assistance and a closer inspection.