HailShield Technology - Hail Resistance

Hail Challenge

Remember that summer day when suddenly a quiet afternoon turned into a real nightmare? Dark clouds came almost out of nowhere, and ice balls the size of golf balls began to fall from the sky. Hail is not only a terrifying spectacle of nature — it is a real threat to your home and photovoltaic system.

In 2023, we recorded a record number of intense hailstorms in Poland. In Małopolska, 4 cm hail caused destruction in hundreds of households, damaging not only traditional roofing, but above all photovoltaic installations. A single hail of this size hits the surface with a force comparable to a hammer blow, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Standard photovoltaic panels are particularly sensitive to such impacts. The traditional structure, consisting of a thin sheet of glass and an aluminum frame, is not designed for extreme weather conditions. When hail hits the panel, the energy is not properly dispersed, which leads to the formation of microcracks in the photovoltaic cells. These seemingly minor damages can reduce the efficiency of the installation by up to 30%.

Worse, the effects of hail are often not visible to the naked eye. Homeowners notice the problem only after a few months, when energy production drops significantly. At this point, repair no longer only means replacing individual panels — it is often necessary to replace the entire installation. Costs can reach tens of thousands of zlotys, and there is also a loss associated with less energy production.

The problems do not end with the panels themselves. Damaged photovoltaic modules can lead to leaks, and water entering under the roof causes further damage - from dampness of insulation to mold in the attic. In extreme cases, this can lead to the need for a major overhaul of the roof.

From year to year, insurers note more and more hail damage. In 2023, compensation payments for damaged photovoltaic installations exceeded PLN 100 million. This shows the scale of the problem and the need to find an effective solution that will guarantee the safety of investments in photovoltaics.

In the face of these challenges, it is becoming clear that the traditional approach to photovoltaic panel construction requires a radical change. What is needed is a solution that will not only survive a single hail storm, but will provide years of protection and peace of mind for homeowners. And this is exactly the solution HailShield Technology.

How does HailShield Technology work?

Imagine hail hitting a traditional photovoltaic panel — all the energy is concentrated at one point, similar to when you drop a rock on a thin sheet of ice. Our HailShield technology works very differently. It's like comparing thin ice to a professional ice sheet on a hockey rink — the latter is designed to withstand even the strongest impacts.

At the heart of the HailShield system is specially tempered glass with a thickness of 4 millimeters. This is not ordinary tempered glass as we know it from our windows. During production, it goes through an advanced quenching process at a temperature of more than 700 degrees Celsius, and then it is rapidly cooled. This process gives it exceptional strength — the glass becomes more than five times more impact-resistant than standard glass of the same thickness.

However, thickness and hardening alone are not everything. The real innovation lies in the way the glass interacts with the entire design of the panel. Under the glass there is a specially designed energy-absorbing layer that acts as a shock absorber. When hail hits a surface, the impact energy is not concentrated at one point, but is dissipated over a much larger area.

Imagine how a bulletproof vest works - it not only stops the projectile, but also disperses the energy of the impact over a larger area. Similarly, our HailShield system works. Thanks to this, even hail with a diameter of 40 millimeters, falling at tremendous speed, is not able to damage the panel.

Every component of the HailShield system has undergone rigorous testing in independent laboratories. During the tests, the panels were subjected to impacts of simulated hail of different sizes, at different speeds and at different angles. The system withstood 40-millimeter hail impacts at speeds in excess of 100 kilometers per hour — far more than the standards required for standard photovoltaic installations.

Moreover, the tests were not limited to single strokes. The panels were subjected to a series of impacts on the same site, simulating intense hail. Even in such extreme conditions, the HailShield system has retained full tightness and functionality. After testing, no microcracks in the photovoltaic cells or damage to the glass structure were found.

These exceptional parameters have been confirmed by certificates of European research institutes. HailShield not only meets standard roofing standards (25mm hail resistance), but far exceeds them by offering hail protection up to 40mm in diameter. This is a 60% higher parameter than standard solutions available on the market.

Benefits in practice

When was the last time you checked your home insurance? Most homeowners are surprised to discover that standard policies often do not cover full protection of photovoltaic installations from the effects of hail. And even if they include, self-participation and the lengthy process of liquidating damages can be very onerous. With HailShield Technology, you can sleep peacefully knowing that your investment is safe.

Let us take the example of Mr. Andrzej from Małopolska. During last year's hail, his neighbors had to replace traditional photovoltaic installations, which cost them several tens of thousands of zlotys each. Meanwhile, its HailShield roof survived the storm without the slightest damage. “I watched out the window as hail the size of golf balls bounced off my roof. I couldn't believe it, but after the storm everything worked perfectly,” he recalls.

What sets HailShield apart from other solutions? First of all, a comprehensive approach to protection. This is not just reinforced glass — it is an integrated system that protects every element of the installation:

1. 4mm tempered glass top layer effectively dissipates hail impact energy

2. Special support design eliminates stress that could lead to microcracks

3. Water drainage system prevents the accumulation of melting hail

4. Each panel undergoes individual quality testing before leaving the factory

This translates into tangible savings. Unlike standard installations, which may require frequent repairs and replacements after hail, the HailShield system requires virtually no additional costs associated with hail damage. This means:

· No cost of repair and replacement of panels

· Stable energy production throughout the year

· Lower insurance premiums

· Higher property value at sale

· Peace of mind during any storm

What's more, HailShield doesn't just protect against hail — it's a complete protection system against extreme weather conditions. The same solutions that protect against hail are also perfect for strong winds, intense snowfall or extreme temperatures.

It is also worth mentioning the ecological aspect. Thanks to the increased durability, HailShield panels last longer, which means less material consumption and less carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and replacing damaged components. This is another argument in favor of this solution in the context of sustainable development.

HailShield Technology is not just about protection — it's an investment in a peaceful future. This is a guarantee that your solar roof will reliably produce energy for many years, regardless of the vagaries of the weather.

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