How Do You Design a Hurricane-Resistant Solar System for the Caribbean?
- Structure is the first priority: mounting must be engineered to local cyclone wind loads (ASCE 7 or the applicable national code), with pull-out testing to confirm the roof anchorage can carry the load.
- Coastal salt exposure requires marine-grade aluminium or hot-dip galvanised mounting and 316 stainless fasteners — standard galvanised hardware corrodes far faster than most buyers expect.
- Inverters, combiner boxes and battery enclosures should be rated IP65 or IP66, with active thermal management and dehumidification for the battery compartment.
- Modules should carry IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 certification, plus salt-mist corrosion testing to IEC 61701 for coastal sites.
- Retain grid or generator backup for the recovery period after a storm, and specify a lockable DC isolator so the array can be safely disconnected during repairs.