solar under storm

Report

Solar Under Storm

Designing hurricane-resilient solar PV systems

Authors:
RMI: Christopher Burgess, Fidel Neverson, Joseph Goodman, Laurie Stone
Outside RMI: Justin Locke, Chris Needham (Azimuth Advisory Services), Frank Oudheusden (Azimuth Advisory Services), Sanya Detweiler (Clinton Climate Initiative)

As solar energy expands across hurricane-prone regions, resilience has become central to long-term success. RMI’s Solar Under Storm series brings together years of on-the-ground assessments, engineering analysis, and industry collaboration to better understand how solar PV systems perform during extreme weather and how this infrastructure can be strengthened. The series is grounded in direct field observations following major storms and focuses on practical improvements that protect both infrastructure and communities.

  • Solar Under Storm examines ground-mounted systems after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, identifying common failure points and the design choices that contributed to strong performance.
  • Solar Under Storm II expands the analysis to rooftop solar, documenting hundreds of field observations and offering clear recommendations for improving roof-mounted installations.
  • Solar Under Storm for Policymakers translates these findings into guidance for regulators and decision makers, outlining how standards, procurement, and oversight can reinforce resilience across the market.
  • Solar Under Storm III, the most recent installment, incorporates lessons from Hurricane Beryl and updates best practices for today’s solar technologies and construction methods. It highlights proven design strategies, including stronger foundations, improved racking configurations, and more secure fastening systems, while emphasizing the role of policy and procurement in making resilience standard practice.

Together, the series provides a roadmap for building solar systems that continue delivering power when it matters most.