I'm building a house on AC and thinking about whether to install solar panels. I am on "the grid" but I would like to supplement that with my own power.

Any advice on here from people who have done this? How do you protect the panels in a storm?

Thank-you!

Excellent idea......bolt them down with stainless anchor bolts.

Relaxed, do you think the waste of money is in the cost of installing solar panels, or in making them storm resistant?

I'm not sure how solar panels would be a waste of money as when I do the math of how long it would take to pay for the cost of them it seems reasonable enough. Though that is doing the math with how much they cost to purchase here in California...

My power is as reliable enough, however it is more getting rid of most of my monthly electricity bill in the process.

Relaxed! Did you change your comment while I had the window open to respond?

Forgive me if this question sounds silly, however, do you think it is necessary to put anything over them in the case of a storm, or would being bolted down very, very well be good enough?

bolting down won't be good enough. there will be flying debris. you know, boats, golf carts, lawn chairs, tree limbs etc. These will shatter the panels.

I should not worry about damage in a severe storm or a hurricane. All the protection in the world will not save your property in the event of a force 4 or 5 Hurricane. Get the panels and the rest of your property insured.
The ONLY important thing in a hurricane is to get you and your family OUT (OK, pets get a ticket too) Let the insurance company pay for eventual replacements. You can buy new panels but human life is what matters.

Thanks for the advice Chris.

I just wasn't sure if it would make sense to put something over them in the same way there are shutters over windows to help in less severe storms.

Does anyone have solar panels? What do you do?

most people dismantle and store the panels. There was a huge solar panel field here on the island that was destroyed by Hurricane Keith - about $2m worth of damage. I don't know if they were insured or not.

Preparation for a storm takes a few days - you have to have a plan, write it down on a check list.

Indeed your lives are the most precious, but a few hours of planning and preparation can provide peace of mind, and might permit you to have something to come home to after the storm.