To resist external conditions and harsh weather, solar panels undergo comprehensive testing. Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) offers hail impact testing and certification for PV modules under the UL 61730 grade. Under IEC 61730, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has its own set of these tests. Jurisdiction is where the two diverge most. IEC is a worldwide standard that applies to international locations, while UL marks only apply to North American markets. You’ll probably see a combination of the two marks on solar panels. 

In the United States, solar panels with the UL 61730 or IEC 61730 designations are resistant to most hailstorms. These experiments show that solar panels can survive hailstones that range in size from one inch to three inches and move at speeds between 16.8 and 88.3 mph. 

The map below shows that two-inch hail storms commonly occur between Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. The likelihood of running across these storms outside this area is moderate to low. 

Look for UL 61730 or IEC 61730 product certifications while searching for premium solar panels that can survive hail. As stated above, these specifications show that the solar panel has undergone a hail impact test and can withstand ice balls of one to three inches in diameter and moving at speeds ranging from 16.8 to 88.3 mph. 

You may feel more at ease during a hailstorm if you know your solar panel passes these tests. These examinations are expensive and time-consuming to conduct. Solar sector manufacturers are aware of the significance of these testing. So it stands to reason that only premium solar panels from a reputable supplier will have the required performance certification for hail testing. 

Reputable manufacturers of solar panels can endure heavy hail and minor to moderate hits. If you want peace of mind, stick with the top brands. When selecting solar panels for your house, look closely at the specs to locate goods with hail damage and weather ratings.

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