Seen on the news tonight about the huge hail stones Melbourne received today and we were wondering what people do about protecting the solar panels on their mobile homes and vans while on the road and in a hail storm.
pauline said
07:28 PM Sep 28, 2011
A great question, was thinking the same thing the other day, answers please
Gerty Dancer said
07:44 PM Sep 28, 2011
Ours are portable and they are in the back of the tug tonight. Solar panels are pretty strong but dont think they's survive big hail stones, and this is one reason we bought the portable ones instead of fixed.
This weather is a bit of a worry! Hope everybody is safe and dry.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 07:45:09 PM
pauline said
07:46 PM Sep 28, 2011
Should have put that question to someone before we put 2 of them up there.
Brian88 said
07:46 PM Sep 28, 2011
have you ever heard of solar panels been damaged?
Happywanderer said
07:48 PM Sep 28, 2011
After reading your post SuenTerry, will be getting portable fold up ones when I can afford it. The weather has been shocking here today, had a bit of everything.
Cruising Granny said
10:24 PM Sep 28, 2011
Solar panels are often the victims of hail stones, depending on the size of the hail, of course. They're very exposed up on the roof of anything - house or van. Unless you're quick at predicting such a storm and can get a cover over the roof, there's little you can do at the time. Usually with these storms there are gale-force winds, and you take a risk getting up on a ladder to perform this task. Apparently there is a padded van cover on the market for just such an occasion, but who's going to get up there when there's a storm howling around you? I've been buffeted around by the squalls tonight. We had thunderstorms this morning, and squalls with heavy rain this evening. The wind comes in bursts, but by the look of the weather map on the internet the eastern states should anchor down or they could end up over in NZ, and that would never do.
Happywanderer said
10:26 PM Sep 28, 2011
You must have got it a lot worse than us CG. Melbourne seems to have been battered too. We had a severe thunderstorm late afternoon with a lot of rain but not much wind.
Travel Bug said
10:49 PM Sep 28, 2011
We are supposed to get the wild weather tomorrow. Yukkk!!!
wendyv said
11:14 PM Sep 28, 2011
At home, when hail is forecast, we cover the panels on the poptop with the rubber awning floor matting then a tarp. So far, so good. Have managed not to get into a major hail event whilst on the road.
Cruising Granny said
11:58 PM Sep 28, 2011
It's still raining heavy hear in squalls, accompanied by strong winds. My poor, frail awning is still hanging on. Hold on folks. Stay safe.
BobnBev said
08:05 AM Sep 29, 2011
Hi All, You dont need hail to break a sola panel. Had one shatted while passing a truck .And it was 10 feet up on top of our bus .. They do state that there is a drop with a steel ball test? at some hight to say how hail proof they are . Not to sure what it is. If hail smashes a car windscreen, I dont like the chances of getting of scott free.. By the way a panel will still work when its glass is shatted, but only when it is facing directly at the sun.. Bob....
justcruisin01 said
09:55 PM Sep 29, 2011
suenterry wrote:
Seen on the news tonight about the huge hail stones Melbourne received today and we were wondering what people do about protecting the solar panels on their mobile homes and vans while on the road and in a hail storm.
Best way is to make sure they are listed on your insurance policy.
Seen on the news tonight about the huge hail stones Melbourne received today and we were wondering what people do about protecting the solar panels on their mobile homes and vans while on the road and in a hail storm.
Ours are portable and they are in the back of the tug tonight. Solar panels are pretty strong but dont think they's survive big hail stones, and this is one reason we bought the portable ones instead of fixed.
This weather is a bit of a worry! Hope everybody is safe and dry.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Wednesday 28th of September 2011 07:45:09 PM
They're very exposed up on the roof of anything - house or van. Unless you're quick at predicting such a storm and can get a cover over the roof, there's little you can do at the time.
Usually with these storms there are gale-force winds, and you take a risk getting up on a ladder to perform this task.
Apparently there is a padded van cover on the market for just such an occasion, but who's going to get up there when there's a storm howling around you?
I've been buffeted around by the squalls tonight. We had thunderstorms this morning, and squalls with heavy rain this evening.
The wind comes in bursts, but by the look of the weather map on the internet the eastern states should anchor down or they could end up over in NZ, and that would never do.
We are supposed to get the wild weather tomorrow. Yukkk!!!
Hold on folks. Stay safe.
They do state that there is a drop with a steel ball test? at some hight to say how hail proof they are . Not to sure what it is.
If hail smashes a car windscreen, I dont like the chances of getting of scott free.. By the way a panel will still work when its glass is shatted, but only when it is facing directly at the sun..
Bob....
Best way is to make sure they are listed on your insurance policy.