If you hail from the Mid-Atlantic region, home of the dreaded Nor’easter, you’ve probably wondered about the effects of extreme weather on solar panels. Makes sense—Nor’easters are not just storms. These radical weather events occur when the southbound polar jet stream meets the warm air from the oceanic Gulf Stream. It’s usually a violent occurrence. Kind of like a Canadian hockey player squaring off with a heavyweight champion from Miami. The result: heavy snow, hurricane-force winds, golf-ball sized hail and rain for days. 

Hardly, you might think, the ideal locale for a commercial solar installation. But that’s not the case. Almost every region in the U.S. is prone to some sort of extreme weather event. Plus, New York and New Jersey have grown to be some of the largest solar markets over the last several years.

So it’s time to set the record straight and dispel a handful of the persistent misconceptions about the durability and efficacy of photovoltaic (PV) technology in extreme weather conditions, especially in the Northeast.

Misconception #1: Solar panel installations don’t perform well in cold-weather climates

This is, bar none, the biggest fallacy known to PV technology. The truth is, solar panels extract energy from light, not heat. So cold weather has little to do with how well your solar installation functions.

If anything, chilly temps might cause it to perform better. Because, as solar panels get hotter and hotter—like on a scorching July afternoon in Yuma, Arizona—they actually begin to produce less power from the same amount of sunlight. But that’s a very extreme example.

Basically, in the Mid-Atlantic region, and other areas of the U.S. prone to freezing temps, as long as the sun is shining on your panels, you’ll be generating energy.

Misconception #2: There’s no point in having a solar installation in areas prone to heavy snow

Wrong. Solar panels and snow can (and should) co-exist. The amount of energy you extract from your solar installation in snowy locales is almost entirely based on the quality of your panels and how they’re installed.

The best panels are designed to handle extreme variations in temperature (also known as thermal cycling) in both hot and cold climates. And, when they’re properly installed, will melt snow faster than on a typical rooftop.

Plus, if you’re in an extremely snowy area, you can opt for the carport solar installation design to help keep your employees, visitors or students safe from the elements.

Misconception #3: Solar panels and wind don’t mix

Not true. A quality solar installation should not be any more affected by strong winds—Nor’easter or otherwise—than any other part of your building or facility.

The best solar installations are informed by local wind patterns and are comprised of components that have also been tested against extreme wind loads.

Think holistically. Investing in top-of-the-line panels only to have your provider assemble your system with low-quality cables, tie downs or racking is short-sighted. You don’t want a cheap cable whipping in the wind to compromise your energy output.

Misconception #4: Solar panels are fragile and can easily crack when subjected to hail

If you live in the Northeast, or anywhere with extreme weather conditions, you might think, “Solar panels and hail—that can’t be a good combination.” You might even picture your panels cracking the first time they’re pelted with those high-speed ice balls. But the simplest way to dispel that rumor is to say, “There’s a test for that.”

Every solar panel manufactured is required to undergo testing for extreme weather conditions. And to prove that they’ve done so, a manufacturer must obtain an Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) certification, or a variation thereof outside of the United States.

The UL certification proves that a solar panel has satisfied a number of safety, durability and quality assessments. However, it should be noted that this certification only ensures a minimum amount of testing.

Misconception #5: All UL certified commercial solar panels fare the same in extreme weather conditions

Nope. Unfortunately, UL certifications only certify that a solar panel manufacturer has met the minimum requirements when it comes to testing. It’s up to you to do a little extra probing. Inquire as to what your provider does in the way of testing beyond UL certifications. They might be ready for you to ask, “Do solar panels work during weather?” or “How does weather affect solar panel efficiency?” But, qualified commercial solar companies should be prepared to answer the following, as well:

• “Does the panel manufacturer have an onsite testing facility?”
• “What kinds of tests are regularly performed?”
• “Tell me about these solar panels and hurricanes.”

Be blunt and weigh your options. The goal is to determine whether the manufacturer is beating the heck out of their panels in an effort to solve for every eventuality, as well as to ensure that your solar installer considers how all parts of the installation will fare in inclement conditions.

So many misconceptions, so little time. In the end, the moral of the story is twofold: 1) If the sun is shining, you’ll be producing clean energy; and 2) Quality commercial solar installations are designed to withstand Mother Nature’s occasional temper tantrums. It’s as simple as that.

Related links:

Do solar panels work in winter?

Beyond solar panel efficiency: 4 important considerations when evaluating solar panels

 

This post originally appeared on the SunPower Business Feed.