Introduction
Solar energy systems are a great way to generate renewable energy, but they’re vulnerable to hail storm damage. Hail netting is a cost-effective and easy way to protect solar panels from extreme weather events.
Because if a hailstorm hits your PV farm, the damage can be enormous. And replacing hail-damaged panels is expensive.
Hail netting protects your solar farm against hail storm damage in two ways: deflecting hailstone impact away from the panels and absorbing the hailstone’s energy. This way, hail netting reduces the risk of panel breakage and other hail damage.
Here’s what you need to know about hail netting for photovoltaic farms that will help you reduce this loss on your farm.
Why use hail netting for photovoltaic farms?
What is hail protection netting?
Hail netting is a type of netting that is designed to protect against hail storm damage. It is made from high-density polyethylene and can withstand impact from large hail stones.
Hail netting is installed over solar panels to create a barrier and provide coverage between the hailstone and the panel, thus preventing damage.
Hail protection netting has already been used on other types of farms, such as those that grow crops， in many orchards, and in a lot of large parking areas.
Why use hail netting for photovoltaic farms?
Hail affects thousands of photovoltaic farms all over the world. The damage caused by hail can be significant. In fact, hail is one of the most common causes of insurance claims for solar farms.
In addition, anti hail netting can also protect against other types of extreme weather events, such as wind and sun.
How does hail protection netting work in a hail storm?
Hail netting is a fabric that protects most solar panels from heavy hail storms and other weather conditions. It’s similar to the mesh on your car’s windshield, but it’s much more rugged.
The basic idea behind hailstorm netting is that it’s stretched across the field, and when a storm hits, it holds up against the hail stone and wind and keeps the panels safe from any hail storm that might pass through the netting.
Hail netting protects each individual solar panel with tiny fibers that act like micro-screens. The mesh creates a barrier between the hailstones and the panel, preventing damage.
Using hail netting on solar panels to prevent hail storms
What type of anti-hail netting is suitable for PV farms？
There are usually three types of hail netting, but the most ideal for solar panel protection is one type called Leno Woven Hail Netting.
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This is because the Leno Woven Hail Netting is manufactured by a special method that makes it light and thin. This helps to ensure that the solar panels absorb more light.
This anti-hail netting reduces light by just 5-7%. Meanwhile, it is also strong enough to protect your solar panels from hail storm damage.
Choose the color that has the least effect on the light.
Transparency is the color that least affects the penetration of the sun’s rays. It provides almost no blockage of light, which facilitates the utilization of light by solar panels.
So, when it comes to choosing the color of hail netting, transparent is the most suitable color for PV farms.
Then, it is possible to protect the panels while ensuring that as little energy is lost as possible.
Calculating the price of hail netting
What is the cost of covering my solar farm with hail netting?
Hail netting is a fundamental way to protect solar farms from hail damage. The cost of using leno hail netting is about $400 to $800 per acre per year, which is very cheap compared to such damage caused by severe hail storms to PV farms.
Investing in a PV farm is very expensive and requires a lot of capital. Most farmers rely on loans and grants to finance their projects. On average, building a solar farm costs around $1 million per MW, which can be pretty expensive for an individual farmer or cooperative.
When should you use hail netting?
There are areas and times in every country that are prone to hail damage.
For example, hailstorms in the United States most frequently occur in the Great Plains and Midwest regions, known as Hail Alley due to their high frequency of hail occurrences. The city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, experiences more hailstorms than any other city, with about 10 occurrences yearly.
Hailstorms can occur during spring, summer, or fall, but the majority occur between May and September.
Anti hail nets should be used when hail is expected in the area.
It is better to be installed before the hail season begins.
If hail is expected in the area, farmers should take action to protect their solar farms from damage.
This will ensure that the netting is in place and can protect the solar panels from hail damage.
Otherwise, hail net should be removed after the hail risk has ended.
This will ensure that the netting does not cause any energy loss to the solar panels.
Where Can You Buy Hail Netting?
Hail netting for solar farms is available through several different sources.
For example, you can buy anti-hail nets from a local hardware store or home improvement center. These stores typically stock hail protection netting in several sizes and colors, and they may require that you purchase it by the roll (rather than in bulk).
You can also shop online for anti hail nets at online retailers.
Finally, you can buy it directly from the manufacturer.
This is the cheapest option but can also be the most convenient if you need something specific or have a large order.
Case Study
Solar Farm in Australia
In the mid-afternoon on July 14, 2020, a solar farm in Australia was hit by hail.
However, the hail net installed on the farm saved the panels from further damage and prevented the heavy hail from causing any power outages.
The project owners said： We are fortunate. We would have lost a lot of money if we hadn’t installed these nets.
This case study shows the importance of having hail net installed on PV farms.
Solar Panels Texas Hail
In May 2019, West Texas experienced a hailstorm unlike anything seen before, causing a major disaster for the solar industry.
A 178 MW solar project, 178 Power Global’s Midway Solar Project, was bolted to the ground near Midland in the path of the storm.
After the storm passed, the industry discovered it had suffered the largest weather-related single-project loss in history.
Over 400,000 modules of Hanwha Q cells at the plant were damaged or destroyed; insurance losses totaled $70 million.
FAQs
Is there a minimum or maximum size limit for installing hail net?
Yes.
Due to the limitation of production equipment, the length of the hail nets is not restricted, but the maximum width is 4m.
Installing them in a row of 4 meters in parallel is recommended.
Does the installation netting affect solar energy production?
No.
The Leno woven hail net is very thin because it is made by a special weaving process.
The influence on energy will be minimal and can be ignored when the color is transparent.
How long does hail netting last?
More than 5 years.
EyouAgro chooses high-density polyethylene monofilament (HDPE)as the material when producing hail netting, which can be used outdoors for long periods.
We will also add an anti-UV stabilizer. This special formula and design can ensure that the hail net can be used outdoors without damage.
Does hail destroy solar panels？
Hail damage solar panels, but it depends on the size and strength of the hail. Large, intense hail can break the glass covering on solar panels and damage the individual solar cells, reducing the panels’ efficiency or cause them to stop working altogether. However, not all hail is strong enough to cause this kind of damage, and many solar panels are designed to withstand some degree of hail without damage. It’s also worth noting that most solar panels are installed at an angle, which can help them shed hail and reduce the risk of damage.
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Conclusion
Hail net is an important investment for solar farms and solar panel manufacturers.
It can protect your panels from damage and prevent hail from causing power outages.
You can buy hail nets from several different sources. The most convenient option is to buy them directly from the manufacturer.
EyouAgro is a professional manufacturer of hail net, greenhouse netting, and bird netting. We have specialized in hail netting for more than 20 years.
If you are looking for a hail net for your solar farm, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to provide you with the highest-quality hail net at the most competitive price.
