US-Based FTC Solar Brings Hail Stow Solution For Hailstorm Damage

US-Based FTC Solar Brings Hail Stow Solution For Hailstorm Damage

US-based FTC Solar has announced the release of its Automated Hail Stow Solution, meant to lessen hailstorm damage to solar panels. This approach uses cutting-edge technology in conjunction with meteorological data to dynamically reposition solar panels, reducing the risk of damage from hail.

According to FTC Solar, solar panel systems are particularly vulnerable to hail storms, with US insurance claims amounting to an average of USD $58.4 million for each event. FTC Solar researched hail events and their effects on solar panel installations in partnership with VDE Americas, a third-party industry specialist. The result of this research is a hail stow technique that best positions solar modules to shield them from wind and direct hail damage.

Integration with FTC’s exclusive SUNOPS operations management platform, which improves control and monitoring of photovoltaic (PV) plants, is one of the Automated Hail Stow Solution’s key advantages. The technology ensures automated and timely mitigation against hail events by combining the hail stow approach with meteorological data. To provide very accurate and real-time updates to meteorological data, it also uses a multi-radar method.

Because of the solution’s flexibility, users can select between manual and automatic stow choices. It also allows customizable stow thresholds based on particular danger criteria like hail size, probability, and radius. Additionally, it has a warning tool to notify users of approaching hail events. Moreover, the system guarantees data security via encryption and is compatible with top meteorological data sources.

Andrew Morse, Senior Director of Software at FTC Solar, expressed enthusiasm about the new solution. “We’re excited to introduce our Automated Hail Stow Solution, offering a proactive approach to mitigating hail-related damage to solar panel installations,” he said. “By combining advanced technology with meteorological insights, we aim to provide our customers with greater peace of mind and protection for their solar assets.”