Solar Panel Protection

Landpaddler
Landpaddler Member Posts: 32
edited July 2024 in Battery/Electrical & Solar
 Last fall we took a two week trip from Utah to Wisconsin and Minnesota. On our way over in Rapid City we ran into a hailstorm and it ruined solar panel. The rest of the trip was difficult because we are always trying to manage power. Insurance covered it and we had our local tag dealer put on a bigger panel but we also decided to start carrying protection for the solar panels. It consists of a heavy duty 4 x 6 tarp, four suction cups and two pool noodles.  You slide the noodles under the tarp after you put it on

2021 Tag XL Boondock
Chevy Colorado ZR2
Subaru Outback

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Comments

  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 696
    Really good idea.  Some areas of the country are more prone to large hail.  I always thought we can use our large tent rug over our TaB.  A serious hail storm would probably just shred our sun shelters.

    Sharon - Westlake, Ohio | 2017 TaB CSS - 

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  • ragtag2
    ragtag2 Member Posts: 70
    @Landpaddler, thanks for raising awareness to hailstorm damage prevention in up -coming endeavours.

    How big were the stones? Just wondering when I should start getting really concerned…

    Looking at your photos I wonder if it makes a difference which direction/way the pool noodles are placed?

    Love the geckos!



    2024 Boondock 5 wide -"Squirrel"
    TV: Volvo XC-60 T8 R
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  • Landpaddler
    Landpaddler Member Posts: 32
    @ragtag2, seems like the bigger pieces were around the size of a quarter. I been going from side to side with the pool noodles. I’m still experimenting. I think the heavy duty tarp alone will make some difference, but it would be nice to slow it down a little bit before impact. 

    2021 Tag XL Boondock
    Chevy Colorado ZR2
    Subaru Outback

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  • DCN082162
    DCN082162 Member Posts: 34
    Clever idea, do you have links to the parts?
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  • Landpaddler
    Landpaddler Member Posts: 32
    @DCN082162 I don’t have the links, but they’re pretty easy to find on Amazon. I think the tarp was 18 mil,

    2021 Tag XL Boondock
    Chevy Colorado ZR2
    Subaru Outback

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  • GulfCoast
    GulfCoast Member Posts: 109
    It looks like the tarp is resting on the surface of the solar panel in places. Will it be adequate to absorb the impact of hailstones and prevent damage to the panels? 
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  • Landpaddler
    Landpaddler Member Posts: 32
    @GulfCoast i’m not sure, I am considering a third noodle.

    2021 Tag XL Boondock
    Chevy Colorado ZR2
    Subaru Outback

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  • MountainMadness
    MountainMadness Member Posts: 4
    For those without a solar panel and looking to install a new one I ordered CIGS panels from Mia Sole.  4x80w panels fit on the roof.  They are impact resistant, as the cells aren't prone to cracking like flexible mono panels.  There are test videos of CIGS panels being driven on, shot through, scratched and they don't loose any real world performance.  Not cheap, but peace of mind if in a hail storm.
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