FTC Solar, a solar tracker manufacturer, has launched its Automated Hail Stow Solution, aimed at minimizing solar panel damage caused by hail storms. The solution pairs proprietary with meteorological data to automatically adjust the positioning of solar panels, reducing the risk of hail-related damage.

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

Hail storms pose a significant threat to solar panel installations, with insurance claims in the U.S. averaging about $58.4 million per incident. FTC Solar collaborated with VDE Americas, a third-party solar industry project safety analyst, to study hail events and their impact on solar panel installations. The research led to the development of a hail stow strategy that positions solar modules at the maximum angle allowed by the tracker, away from prevailing winds, to minimize direct hail and associated wind impacts.

Key features of FTC’s Automated Hail Stow Solution include:

• Integration with FTC’s proprietary operations management platform, SUNOPS, for enhanced control and monitoring of PV plants.
• Uses meteorological data combined with hail stow strategy to ensure automated and timely mitigation against hail events.
• Multi-radar approach for real-time, highly accurate meteorological data updates.
• Flexibility for users to choose between auto-stow or manual stow options.
• Notification feature to warn users of impending hail events.
• Customizable stow thresholds based on risk appetite and site location, including factors such as hail size, probability and radius.
• Compatibility with meteorological data providers, for greater integration and data security through encryption.

News item from FTC Solar