Is it worth the trouble to consider getting solar panels if you live in a hurricane area?
Solar panels, obviously, are a big investment. And we live in Southeast Texas where hurricanes just love to visit (we’ve been hit several times over the past four years). I’m wondering if it would be worth the risk to get a solar panel? They’re made to stand up to wind and regular rain, but could they hold in Category 3 hurricane winds? And do they have special coverings to go over them, like a shutter or a housing? Or, if they’re smaller (say, less than 4′ or 5′) would you dismount them and take them inside? It seems like a lot of hassle, but I’m curious. Would the energy they generated be worth all of that worry? With it being the official start of hurricane season, preparedness is on everyone’s mind around here. : )
Tagged with: category 3 hurricane • hassle • hurricane season • hurricane winds • hurricanes • preparedness • rain • several times • shutter • solar panel • solar panels • southeast texas • worry • worth the risk
Filed under: Hurricane Questions
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It’s possible to have hurricane rated installations and yes it’s worth it because the majority of the problem with hurricanes is the disruption of power afterwards. With solar panels, you’d at least have power during the day so your food in the refrigerator won’t spoil.
Thin film photo-voltaics are flexible and less likely to break on impact but they are less efficient. On the plus side, thin film photo-voltaic are less expensive per watt. It would probably be easier to have hurricane resistant thin film solar panels then monocrystaline panels.
If you also invested in a battery bank, you could have electricity all day but that would defeat one of the major cost savings of a grid tie in system.
If I did have a wind vulnerable solar array such as on a flat roof where the panels are supported at an angle, I would probably devise some form of storm net/screen solution, almost a tent of netting to reduce the effect of the wind and to protect the panels from flying debris. Indeed, hurricane screens seems to be an inexpensive way of protecting just about anything from hurricanes.
The energy generated by your solar panels would probably not be particularly helpful after a hurricane unless you are off-the-grid and have DC appliances.
The actual photovoltaic cells that make up a solar panel are fragile, but they are covered by sheets of plastic for a small degree of impact resistance. Installers in your area are probably experienced in doing installations that will survive fairly well.
I would get them and get them insured for hurricanes, you can do that with homeowners insurance, right? I think you can. Well, I would do it because I am all about GREEN.
Think… INSURANCE!
For many, solar panels make more of socially conscious statement than economic sense. Most of us have plenty of room to generate energy savings while gaining economic savings simply by reviewing our energy use practices. From what I can tell, those folks that "go off the grid" do some serious work on general energy reduction efforts before doing so.
For example, how old/energy efficient are your appliances? Have you landscaped so that your house is protected from sun/heat in the summer and the reverse for the winter? What are your insulation, caulking, and window coverings like? Have you considered triple-paned windows or a less expensive after-market window film? Have you considered eve, awning, or other exterior window shading whether attached to the structure, permanent, or movable screens set in the yard? Have you calculated the comparative energy costs of various different cooking methods? Do you have an outdoor clothes line?
Your concept of smaller solar panels that could be moved indoors during hurricane preparations isn’t fully off the mark….A number of folks that "go off the grid" convert some or all of their energy using systems to a 12 volt system similar to that in an RV or camper. And, they do sell a number of "standard" appliances for 12 volt, RV type systems including solar panels that power vehicle batteries.
Many of the folks that "go off the grid" also use a number of different passive solar systems as well. Many of these systems involve the heating of water and black plastic.
There are some folks "off the grid" that dive in head first in more of a turn-key approach. Often, these folks are living in more of a rural environment than a suburban or urban environment. It seems as if most do a gradual and continual change into lesser dependence on purchased utilities and a greater self-reliance.
Towards global warming, carbon emissions, and all the rest…it seems as if our manufacturing and transportation practices as both individuals and a society are pretty darned critical.
I didn’t pay much attention when they were talking about how much wind they can take, but it seemed like they mentioned hurricane strength. Obviously if the wind takes the roof off, the panels would go with it. Mine are covered under my homeowners insurance, so they would be replaced. It seems like a good idea to me, in the event of a hurricane if they survived you would have power during daylight hours, that could be a great benefit to your neighborhood.