What is Hail Stow for Solar Trackers?

Hail stow for solar trackers is a defensive procedure in solar photovoltaic power plants that automatically repositions solar trackers to protect modules from hail damage. This is a critical risk mitigation strategy for large-scale solar assets in areas prone to severe weather. The system moves the solar panels to a steep, near-vertical angle. This position minimizes the surface area of the glass facing the sky, causing hailstones to glance off the panels instead of impacting them with full force.

Implementing an effective hail stow protocol is essential for solar developers and EPCs. It significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic damage to assets, which can result in millions of dollars in losses. The ability to automatically and quickly execute this command is a key feature of modern solar tracker technology.

How does the hail stow protocol work?

The hail stow protocol is an automated process managed by a solar power plant’s control system. When a threat of severe weather, such as a hailstorm, is detected, the system issues a command to the trackers. It repositions them from their energy-producing angle to a high-tilt position, often between 55 and 75 degrees. The command is usually triggered by real-time weather data or a human operator. The goal is to move the panels to a safe position as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of impact damage.

The hail stow procedure is not a simple tilt. It also considers the wind direction that often accompanies a storm. By tilting the panels away from the prevailing wind, the system minimizes the combined impact of wind and hail. This dual defense mechanism is crucial for protecting the physical integrity of the modules and the entire tracker structure, mitigating a major source of insurance claims and financial losses.

What are some of the common challenges with hail stow?

One of the biggest challenges for operators is balancing the need for panel protection with the risk of power generation loss. As hailstorms can develop rapidly, the system must be fast enough to fully stow the panels before the storm hits.

Another consideration is the physical design of the tracker.

• Trackers with a high maximum tilt angle are more effective at deflecting hail.
• A centralized control system is needed to issue a synchronized command to every tracker on the site.

Without these capabilities, manual intervention may be necessary. This introduces a risk of human error or delayed response during a rapidly changing weather event.

What new technologies for solar hail protection are available in 2025?

In 2025, the solar industry is seeing a shift towards more proactive, data-driven hail protection. New technologies focus on integrating advanced weather APIs with AI-powered software platforms. These systems analyze real-time meteorological data and predict storm paths and severity with greater accuracy. This allows them to trigger automatic hail stow commands with plenty of advance notice, minimizing revenue loss while maximizing asset protection.

Another key trend is the development of advanced testing protocols, like the Hail Resiliency Curve (HRC) test. This goes beyond standard certification to test a panel’s “breaking point.” It provides developers and investors with concrete data on module durability. These innovations, combined with software-driven tracker controls, are helping to future-proof solar projects against the increasing frequency of extreme weather.

How does Solargik’s technology protect against hail?

Solargik’s smart solar trackers are designed to address the specific challenges of hail stow with a flexible and rapid-response approach. The SOMA Pro SCADA platform can integrate with leading weather forecasting services to automatically trigger hail stow commands across the entire plant. Because Solargik’s VersaTrack solution uses a modular, short-row design, it can achieve a high tilt angle in a short amount of time. The lightweight structure and rapid response allow for faster stow activation, ensuring the panels are in a secure position well before a storm arrives.

Solargik’s design philosophy prioritizes durability and resilience. This ensures that the trackers can reliably perform the hail stow function even in extreme conditions. This capability provides owners and operators with a robust and intelligent defense against one of the most significant physical and financial risks to their solar assets.

Key Takeaways

• Hail stow is a critical defense mechanism that automatically moves solar trackers to a steep angle to protect modules from hail.
• Implementing a hail stow protocol can significantly reduce the risk of catastrophic asset damage and massive financial losses.
• Modern hail stow systems use a combination of meteorological data and AI-powered software to automate the process and minimize the risk of human error.
• Solargik’s VersaTrack and SOMA Pro SCADA system provide an integrated, rapid-response solution that enhances asset protection for solar developers and EPCs.