Nonetheless, the growth of solar-panel technology has accelerated in recent years because of the overall benefits it offers. And traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, are projected to decline in the coming decades with the increasing demand for renewable energy.
Solar power is emission-free and will generate electricity, heat water, and power electric vehicles. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that solar will provide more than 27% of global electricity by 2050.
Since 2010, the solar industry has grown 68% due to advances in PV technology, falling costs, and state government incentives that make solar investments a solid move for U.S. homeowners. Unfortunately, the current government support for solar technology has changed.
Solar Panels and Climate Change
Large ground-mounted solar-panel arrays and roof-mounted arrays are susceptible to damage during intense tropical hurricanes, cyclones and storms that are becoming more frequent. The Solar Under Storm III report highlights the robustness of existing systems to withstand harsh weather damage.
Prior reports, Solar Under Storm (2018) and Solar Under Storm II (2020), identified robust design and construction choices that helped some solar systems survive Category 5 hurricanes, such as Irma and Maria, while other designs failed. Now, the latest edition incorporates lessons from Hurricane Beryl, which was the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. This hurricane devastated areas of the Grenadines in the Eastern Caribbean in July 2024.
After some in-depth field investigations of three ground-mounted systems that were hit directly by Hurricane Beryl, Solar Under Storm III exposed the stark contrast between vulnerable and resilient ground-mount installations. This report updated technological recommendations based upon real-world damage adjustments, including:
- Heightening proven practices like post and pier foundations
- A through bolting method of fastening two or more components together by passing a bolt completely through them while securing it with a nut on the opposite side
- Horizontal lateral racking support
- Vibration-resistant connections
The report also identifies some common failure points, such as inadequate load design, low-cycle fatigue of module frames, and using self-tapping screws and top-down clamps.
Adding to engineering specifications, this report stressed the importance of industry collaboration for strengthening resilience standards. Moreover, it encouraged shared testing protocols, material certification, and an ongoing information exchange, which is supported by the PV Resiliency Working Group on the online Caribbean Renewable Energy Community (CAREC).
As solar PV becomes central to energy generation in coastal and island regions, Solar Under Storm III offers timely, actionable guidance to ensure these systems endure when they’re needed most.
