Learn about the Flood & Storm Impact on Ground Mounted & Rooftop Solar Panels. Understand the potential risks, damages, and protective measures for solar installations during extreme weather events
There’s a sudden rise in the use of renewable energy sources which has become essential to fight against climate change.
As various technologies advance, renewable energy sources are becoming popular and will become part of our daily lives.
In recent years, over 189,000 solar systems were installed and registered under the MCS in the UK, with many people opting for solar panels Birmingham as part of rooftop solar installations. In comparison to 2022, this represented an approximately 30% increase in solar installations.
Managing the Risks of Renewables
Even though solar panels are sturdy, accidents or harsh weather might harm them.
Insurance companies frequently ignore the hazards of renewable energy sources, which can lead to many issues.
However, investments are usually shielded against acceptable weather damage by manufacturer and installation warranties.
Solar energy systems installed in homes and small businesses are less vulnerable to flood damage.
The frequency of extreme weather events is rising worldwide, and solar farms are not exempt from their effects.
It’s essential to address these issues to create a mitigation solution as the globe moves toward renewable energy.
Measures to undertake submerged solar panels
- Before approaching your solar system or the surrounding region, wait until a certified electrician has approved.
- If your power meter is submerged, stay away from the system and call your electricity provider.
- Examine the consumer unit or fuse box for arcing, overheating, or water damage.
- Before utilizing any power, contact an electrician if the water level is higher than the consumer unit.
- Never attempt to switch on any electrical appliances, including the solar system.
- Before you switch anything back on, have a certified electrician inspect the interior wiring.
- Verify if your home insurance covers the solar power system in case of floods.
- Constantly check for flood alerts and sign up to verified channels to get updates.
Measures to reduce flooding damage
- Choose an elevated place on your land to set-up your ground-mounted solar panels.
- Use sturdy anchoring and racking devices to elevate the panels off the ground.
- If the terrain is low, place critical components such as the inverter or data gathering equipment on higher ground.
- Collaborate with your installer to design a system that has retention ponds or strategies for stormwater runoff installed.
- You need to Set up an emergency drainage plan before the rains .
- Elevate the completed floor levels at least 150 mm above the ground levels.
- Equipment that is susceptible to flooding should be mounted far from high-risk regions.
- A site might lost it’s top soil when prepared for ground-mounted solar systems. The plantating native plants and deep-rooted pollinators can improve the site’s capacity to absorb more rainwater.
To lower the risks associated with green energy harvesting and to observe them reaching their full potential, the solar power industry must standardize testing, energy conversions, material use, and health and safety procedures. These measures will be necessary as the solar power industry might expands in the forthcoming years.