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Can meteorites damage solar panels?

Meteorites are quite rare occurrences, and hitting a solar panel with one would be quite a coincidence.

That doesn't mean it can't happen, and given the sheer number of hectares covered by rooftop solar panels these days, it most certainly can!

If a meteorite strikes the solar panel, it will almost certainly damage it. Meteorites are made up of silicate minerals, but they may also contain iron or nickel. Despite the air resistance, meteorites travel at high speeds and can easily punch a hole on the panel, or shatter its protective glass.

Larger meteorites have a lower chance of hitting panels because they are slowed by the Earth's atmosphere, which burns up meteors before they reach the surface.

A large meteorite or meteorite shower would cause extensive damage to many panels, with significant financial consequences. However, because this is such a rare occurrence, we can almost ignore it.

To help answer the question comprehensively, we need first to understand the solar industry, technology applied, the materials used, and how well they can resist the impact of a meteorite.

If you own one or more solar panels, you must have thought about the durability of the solar glass and what could happen if something hit its surface.

Thanks to competition in the solar panel industry, manufacturers are competing to develop the most durable, high-performance, and sturdy solar panels.

This competition has enhanced the quality of solar panels, improved user ratings, and increased uptake of solar panels. You can be sure that the solar panel you bought is sturdy and will last for years.

If you live in States prone to destructive winds, hurricanes, and hailstorms, you have probably asked yourself, “will the solar panels stand the storm?”.

Most states and municipalities such as Florida have laid out regulations and certification standards for solar panels.

The regulations are meant to ensure that:

  • People gain confidence in solar panels
  • Investors gain confidence in solar investments
  • Insurance companies can give better rates considering the demonstrated reliability
  • Reduces solar panel replacement rate and associated costs, among others

Thanks to meticulous testing and certification standards, most solar panels can withstand 140 mph winds and hurricanes.

Most Florida cities require solar panel manufacturers to sell resilient solar panels that can withstand winds traveling at 160 mph.

Most solar panels are tested and certified to withstand hailstorms with a thickness of up to 25mm falling at 50 miles per hour. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a hailstorm hit Denver on 8th May 2017, leaving a trail of destruction.

Out of more than 3,000 solar panels installed on the rooftop of their Research Support Facility in Denver, only one solar panel was broken by the storm.

According to usatoday.com, residents saw large hailstones, with the largest being 2.75 inches in diameter. This underpins the resilience of solar panels.

Well, this is getting deep. You are probably saying, “well, that’s a hailstorm, what about a meteorite?” My bad, you are right; we are talking about meteorites and their impact on solar panels. Let’s shift a bit to space science.

Space and Meteorites

Do you know what a meteorite is? Did you just say, “mmhh.. I guess, not sure. But I have an idea” Well, let’s leave the guesswork out of this.

1. What is a meteorite?

A meteorite is a piece of metal or rock from an object such as a meteoroid, comet, or asteroid that originates from outer space and falls through the atmosphere to the earth’s surface.

If you have ever seen an object streaking across or downwards the night sky at very high speed and illuminating a bright trail of light, you probably saw a falling meteoroid.

A meteoroid that is located and identified after being observed as it transits across or downwards the atmosphere and impacts the earth’s surface is called a meteorite fall. Most meteorite falls constitute metallic or rocky material.

2. What is the size of a meteorite?

When meteorites break off from the parent object in outer space, they burn up as they travel through space and the earth’s atmosphere. In most cases, only small pieces of meteorites hit the earth’s surface.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), most modern-day meteorites that hit the surface range from the size of a pebble to a fist.

What’s the probability that a meteorite will hit my solar panels?

This is probably the critical question you are asking yourself. Several factors determine the probability of a meteorite hitting and damaging your solar panel.

These include but are not limited to:

  1. Probability of a meteorite reaching the earth’s surface
  2. The size and number of solar panels installed. A solar panel in a large-scale solar farm is likely to be hit more than a single solar panel on your rooftop.
  3. The resilience/sturdiness of your solar panel
  4. Your location and the rate at which meteorites fall in your locality
  5. Weather conditions, among others

We have already covered the resilience/sturdiness of your solar panel. Let’s analyze some of the other crucial factors.

Probability of a meteorite reaching the earth’s surface

Scientists estimate that about 44,000 kilograms of meteoritic material fall on the earth’s atmosphere each day. However, not all hit the earth’s surface since there are only over 30,000 meteorite finds in the world.

Additionally, stony meteorites will burn faster than Iron meteorites. A rocky meteorite will probably burn up completely mid-air compared to a metallic meteorite. Thus, a metallic meteorite is likely to hit your solar panel than a stony meteorite.

Your Geographical Location

Most of these meteorite finds have been around the following areas:

  • The Great Plains of the US
  • Antarctica
  • The Sahara
  • Australia
  • Northwest Africa
  • Arabian Peninsula
  • The American Southwest

If you live in these areas, the probability of finding a meteorite is higher than other areas not mentioned. However, that doesn’t mean the likelihood of a meteorite hitting your solar panel is significantly increased.

Weather conditions

Wind, air pressure, and temperature affect the meteorite aerodynamics: how a meteorite moves through the air. Wind may slightly redirect the meteorite to or away from the location of your solar panels.

High temperature and atmospheric pressure may accelerate the meteoroid’s burning rate, thereby reducing its probability of reaching the earth’s surface.

Can meteorites damage solar panels?

A meteorite can damage a solar panel. However, this depends on the force of the meteorite: the mass of the meteorite multiplied by its acceleration.

According to space.com, meteors can streak through the atmosphere at about 30,000 mph.

The force generated by a pebble-sized meteorite traveling at 30,000 mph is way higher than the force generated by winds traveling at 160 mph. A logical comparison will only result in one conclusion: meteorites can damage a solar panel.

Conclusion

The above observations, analysis, and citations indicate that meteorites can damage solar panels. However, the probability that a meteorite will reach the earth’s surface and hit your solar panels is very low.