Hurricane Preparedness and Solar Panels: How To Prepare
Living in hurricane-prone areas can be a challenge, especially when it comes to protecting your home and your solar panels during this stressful season. The best way to prepare for a hurricane or stormy weather is to plan ahead to ensure your system remains intact, efficient, and operational.
Keep reading for tips to prepare for a hurricane from our team at Solar Bear Orlando!
Tip #1. Assess Your Solar Panel System
Before a hurricane is approaching, evaluate your solar panel system. This means inspecting the panels, mounting system, and wiring for any signs of wear or damage. Then, the most important step is to ensure that everything is properly secured.
If you notice any issues, it’s important to call a professional from Solar Bear Orlando to address any issues to prevent damage or other complications during a storm.
Tip #2. Know Your Hurricane Building Code
If you didn’t know, different areas have varying building codes and regulations pertaining to solar panel installations, especially in hurricane-prone areas in Florida. It is important to familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure that your system meets or exceeds these standards, but if you aren’t sure, this is what our team of pros is here for! We will make sure your system is built to your area’s building standards.
Plus, should your system sustain damage during a hurricane, you’ll be in compliance if you need to file an insurance claim after a storm.
#3. Securing Your Solar Panels
As we all know, hurricane winds can often reach dangerous speeds, and if your solar panels are not adequately secured, they could be damaged or even become projectiles.
We recommend reinforcing your solar panel mounting system, and if your solar panels aren’t wind-rated, we can come out and advise you on ways to secure the panels more firmly to your roof. We can often install additional bracing or straps that can help your system withstand these excessive winds during hurricane season.
#4. Disconnecting Your Solar System
When a hurricane watch is issued for your area, we recommend disconnecting your solar system from the grid. This is for your safety as well as the linesmen who will be working to restore power after the storm. Doing so prevents back-feeding electricity into the grid and helps protect your inverter from damage as well.
If you aren’t sure how to disconnect your solar system, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
#5. Inspect Your Battery Backup System
If you have a battery backup system, make sure you keep it charged and ready during hurricane season. Test your batteries periodically to ensure that they are functioning properly because then the power goes out, having this backup power is a huge benefit, especially if utility power is out for more than a few hours or days.
#6. Complete a Post-Storm Inspection
Once the storm has passed, we recommend inspecting your solar panels for any damage. Look for debris, scratches, or changes in performance. If you think your system has been damaged in any way, contact our team at Solar Bear Orlando for a full system inspection. We can fix any issues that could cause inefficiencies later down the road.
Ready to Help You Weather the Storm
Hurricane season can be challenging, but securing your solar panel system does not need to be an extra stressor this season. With proper planning, you can reduce the risk of damage to your system, ensuring that you can reap the benefits of solar power, even after the storm has passed.
If you need help preparing your solar system for hurricane season, reach out to our team at Solar Bear Orlando at (727) 471-7442. We are more than happy to help!