[CatOwner]

Given the cost of energy in California, I can see why some might opt for solar panels. But I've been seeing a few houses here in Central Texas with solar panels, and I wonder how well the panels can survive the freak hail storms that will pop up from time to time.

I understand there are areas of Texas where the hail can damage a roof, so I would imagine the solar panels wouldn't fair much better.

[Army Air Corps]

I live in an area where softball-size hail is not unheard of.

[Caipirabob]

What electrical companies do when a large group of customers use these things, is that if they actually cause a decrease in power demand, they will create a surcharge for using solar panels and accessing the power grid. They did it in Arizona. So no major savings.

[null and void]

Given the cost of energy in California, I can see why some might opt for solar panels.

I did.

But since California law said that every "excess" Watt you generated was a GIFT to PG&E my system was deliberately anemic, never did cover my full usage.

Still ended up paying for itself, and it did boost the property value a bit when I sold the house.

[TexasGator]

a 2017 hailstorm in Denver that caused severe damage across the city proved the durability of solar panels. The hailstones were roughly 3 inches wide! However, out of 3,000 solar modules on NREL’s Denver campus, only one panel was broken.4

[roadcat]

But I've been seeing a few houses here in Central Texas with solar panels, and I wonder how well the panels can survive the freak hail storms that will pop up from time to time.

My son-in-law has had to deal with hail storms in Texas, and having smashed windshields and dented roofs on his vehicles. My daughter says when a hail storm is coming, everyone tries to park under an overpass or in a parking garage.

There's the answer, install the solar panels under freeway overpasses.