Best Practices for Hail Stow of Single-Axis Tracker-Mounted Solar Projects

This technical memorandum presents best practices for hail stow procedures specifically for single-axis tracker-mounted solar projects. It outlines the significant risks posed by hail in regions prone to severe storms, emphasizing the need for effective risk mitigation strategies beyond insurance and warranties. The document details how stowing PV modules at maximum tilt angles can reduce the exposure to hail damage by minimizing the effective area of glass and lowering the potential impact energy. Recommendations include establishing operational procedures that integrate hail alert protocols, ensuring personnel safety, and conducting thorough site inspections post-storm. The memorandum also discusses the importance of automating hail stow processes and conducting initial hail risk assessments to inform operational strategies. The guidelines aim to enhance the resilience of solar projects against hail damage, thereby protecting investments and ensuring operational continuity. Stakeholders are encouraged to adopt these practices to limit the impact of hail on solar energy systems.