Featured in Fork to the future – 09-2021

Hail cracks

Solar parks face a real threat from hail damage, both to installed hardware and bottom lines, as the risks have become uninsurable. Tim Sylvia of pv magazine USA explains how hardware tests show that certification is falling behind, and looks at the technologies that are being used to reduce damage.

By

Tim Sylvia

07 Sep 2021

Image: RETC

Hail has always existed as a damaging weather phenomenon, but only in recent years has it become an operational concern for solar owners and operators. A particularly destructive hailstorm in Texas turned the solar insurance sector on its head. In 2019, it ripped through the 178 MW Midway Solar Project in Midland. The pounding …

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