Upgrading to a more environmentally friendly power source, such as a solar panel, is always a smart option. It can serve to strengthen your roofing, minimize your environmental footprint, and lower your power bills.
The majority of the expenditure will go into solar panels, which will harvest DC power from the sun. All of the panels will be installed on the roof or in an open area directly under the sun, with no protection. Because they lack cover, their vulnerability to the open environment puts them at risk. While these panels have numerous advantages, they can be difficult to maintain. You must also clean them on a repeated basis to keep dirt from building and impeding the optimal preservation of your panels.
This usually raises the question of whether you can walk on solar panels and whether you want to clean them or replace them because one of them broke. What you’re doing and how you’re doing it will determine the answer. Solar panels are typically sturdy and stiff enough to withstand more than 25 years of continuous operation.
Are solar panels strong enough to walk on?
Given that you installed solar panels on your roof, you may be wondering if you may walk on them to repair them if they break. Are solar panels strong enough to walk on? More importantly, will they break if too much pressure is applied to them? The answer is yes, they are safe to walk on.
However, walking on these panels is still contraindicated for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, solar panels are pricey. If you walk on solar panel casings or cells that have already been compromised, they may shatter or be scratched. When a cell cracks, the likelihood of its power output deteriorating increases.
Second, depending on the weather and natural disasters, even a tiny fissure might get larger when the adjoining components separate due to ongoing thermal expansion or contraction. Finally, considering how pricey they are and how much time it requires to set up or upkeep them, the danger of breaking one of them is just not worth it.
Does walking on solar panels damage them?
Solar panels are the most expensive component of a solar power system for a valid reason. As a result, the necessity of being robust enough to survive a long period of time is critical, as the value for money is dependent on it. With this in consideration, solar panel manufacturers strive to make their products as durable as possible.
As a consequence, solar panels aren’t overly vulnerable to being damaged by a minor collision. Solar panels are resistant to hailstones, tiny twigs, debris, and grit on the panel. If necessary, you may even stomp on a solar panel if it has a solid frame to sustain it uniformly from every corner.
How much weight can a solar panel hold?
This is a question that crosses a lot of people’s minds. Roof-mounted solar panels have a threshold of 50 pounds per square foot with a max capability of 75 pounds; nevertheless, you should refrain from stepping on or laying anything on top of your panels as this can pose a risk and impede sunlight.
Solar panels are clearly more robust than they used to be, but they still have limitations in terms of what they can withstand, and there are several things you should think about before adding anything to your modules that may obstruct the solar cells.
Is it possible that your solar panels will still fail?
The response is straightforward. Yes. They can fail, and there are a number of factors that might cause your completely working, energy-efficient equipment to become less useful or even break. One example is walking atop solar panels. This is covered in detail in the preceding section. To be more exact, depending on the grade of materials used in your panel and your weight, it can seriously harm your solar cells and lead them to be inefficient.
It’s even worse if you’re wearing shoes when you stomp on them. Sediment from your shoes, like fragments of granular material, might produce scuff marks or scratches on the face of the panels, deactivating a cell.
Solar panels are slick and provide minimal traction. Walking on solar panels can produce scrapes and micro-fractures that reduce module efficiency.
When you obstruct the sun during peak daytime hours, you reduce the effectiveness of your solar panel. You are also increasing the stress and pressure on certain portions of your roof. If you’re roped off or carrying equipment, it might become twisted or trapped under the paneling, causing the structure to weaken or bend or pull on cables.
If you must tread on your solar panels for obvious reasons, make sure you get the correct solar panels. If you have the correct panels and a solid arrangement, you may walk on solar panels or mishandle them severely. However, avoid walking or putting weight on them while dusting because glass is delicate and unstable.
Safety tips for walking on solar panels
Although it is recommended that you do not walk on your solar panels, however in case of extreme necessity there are some safety tips you can follow to walk on solar panels so as not to damage them:
- Avoid walking on the panels when they are wet, they tend to be very slippery as they are made of silicon and glass.
- Shoes with metal and plastic soles should not be worn. They can scratch the glass panel. The best option is to wear rubber-soled shoes.
- Avoid walking on any part of the panel that is damaged or is not working properly.
- Walk on the panels at a slow pace with your feet flat. You can also get on all fours to disperse your weight.
- It is recommended to walk on the panels in one direction, instead of walking back and forth.
Read More: Is Tesla Solar Panel More Expensive?
Conclusion
Is it possible to walk on solar panels? Without a doubt. There are even solar panel ads that demonstrate how strong these modules can be despite their mass and size. The real question is whether you should, and the answer is a hearty no. When you consider the expense of the panels and the setup of the solar system, you would not hesitate to harm them.
However, if you really must tread on them, there are several precautions you may take to minimize any injury. You can move about on all fours to ensure that your weight is adequately dispersed and that the stress caused by your weight is not too intense. You can glide as gradually as able to prevent pushing your body weight harsher on the solar panel face.
Lastly, avoid wearing shoes or other footwear that may bring particles to the panel surface. Cleanse your feet beforehand before walking on the panels if you’re barefoot. You want to maintain your panel’s integrity and keep them completely working for as long as possible, just like you would any other valued property. So, if you don’t absolutely have to, don’t walk on them.
FAQs
1. How fragile are solar panels?
Answer: The solar cells only a few millimeters thick are very delicate. But the glass and frame that surrounds them are very sturdy and durable. They are designed to endure even the most severe weather conditions.
2. How much force can solar panels withstand?
Answer: Most solar panels are certified to withstand winds of up to 2,400 pascals, equivalent to approximately 140 mile-per-hour (MPH) winds. Besides the casings that hold solar cells and constitute a solar panel are highly waterproof, even during extreme rain.
3. Can we walk in the middle of the PV module?
Answer: It’s best not to walk on photovoltaic modules because such localized load generated beneath our feet can result in the mechanical breakage of cells. They are only 0.2 mm thick slices of silicon.
Key takeaways
- Solar panels are sturdy enough to be walked on, but it is strongly recommended not to walk on the panels.
- Solar panels can get damaged from walking on the surface.
- If you are walking on damaged panels, there can be a risk of electrocution.
- Solar panels have a maximum weight capacity of 75 pounds.
