How Well Do Rooftop Solar Systems Survive A Hurricane?

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As we went via Hurricane Milton down right here in Southwest Florida, and notably because the roofs throughout my neighborhood acquired torn up, I and lots of others puzzled: how properly do rooftop photo voltaic methods survive in a hurricane right here?

Whereas I’ve seen the shingles ripped off many a roof from Milton, I’ve get to see a destroyed and even barely harmed rooftop photo voltaic PV system. True — we don’t have almost sufficient rooftop photo voltaic right here in The Sunshine State. Nonetheless, my impression is that rooftop photo voltaic PV methods fared fairly properly.

Sunnova Power Worldwide is now backing up that declare. The “industry-leading adaptive energy services company” reviews that 98% of its rooftop photo voltaic methods had been fully unaffected by the sturdy winds of Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene. That looks as if a fairly good consequence. Whereas I can’t say that I believe 1 out of fifty methods being affected is nice, I presume there are circumstances the place the roofing wasn’t as much as snuff or the set up work wasn’t executed nice or the property simply acquired smashed by a very extreme wind. In any case, a 98% probability your photo voltaic PV system doesn’t have a blemish or a crack from a hurricane (or two) is kind of good.

“Sunnova systems remained intact for approximately 19,000 customers in Florida during Hurricane Milton, and more than 13,000 customers across the U.S. Southeast during Hurricane Helene when power infrastructure was crippled and unable to deliver electricity to residents,” the company writes. “In total, Sunnova systems for more than 100,000 customers in hurricane-affected areas, including Puerto Rico and Texas, this season have experienced no material damage.”

Additionally, even in a case the place your system is affected, Sunnova is there to assist. “Whether a hurricane or simple system issue, Sunnova offers an industry-leading 25-year service guarantee to all residential solar customers through Sunnova Protect™,” the corporate provides.

Moreover, after all, many Sunnova prospects benefitted from having photo voltaic plus batteries. That’s the purpose of the tech pairing. “Sunnova solar + storage customers living in the hurricane-affected areas benefitted from battery power for an average of 25 hours in the seven days after Hurricane Milton’s landfall. Similarly, Sunnova solar + storage customers benefitted from battery power for an average of 26 hours in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the following seven days following the storm while millions of people were without power.”

Having an additional day and night time of electrical energy when most individuals have misplaced energy is usually simply what’s wanted. In Florida particularly, utility corporations are closely prepped for going out and restoring energy, and photo voltaic+battery backup for 25–26 hours is loads to be sure you’re not tossing meals out of your fridge and freezer or having to undergo via non-AC life in a state that was barely inhabited earlier than AC was invented (for apparent causes).

I do know some persons are involved {that a} rooftop photo voltaic PV system may get ruined in a hurricane, however the actuality is that such methods are 98% more likely to go unhurt and likewise make a world of distinction (with battery backup) within the more likely case that you simply lose grid energy.

“When extreme weather hits we are all made acutely aware of the vulnerabilities of a centralized grid and transmission system,” says Paul Mathews, Chief Working Officer at Sunnova. “We provide a valuable alternative solution in the form of a dependable, resilient off-grid power solution backed by industry-leading service to ensure performance in the most demanding of environments.” Certainly. True information.