THE QUESTION

Is the viral video of damaged solar panels real?

THE SOURCES

• Corey Thompson: National Weather Service
• Ryan Ashcraft/Ashcraft Aviation

THE ANSWER

The video is indeed authentic. Ryan Ashcraft, the pilot who captured the footage, confirmed its legitimacy to the KHOU 11 Verify team. Ashcraft, based in Bay City, Texas, operates under Ashcraft Aviation.

WHAT WE FOUND

The severe weather event that struck Texas on March 15 resulted in numerous reports of hail, as documented by the National Weather Service. Approximately a week following these storms, Ryan Ashcraft, piloting a helicopter, observed extensive damage to solar panels in Damon, Texas.

Ashcraft, reflecting on the scene captured in the video, remarked, Oh my gosh it looks like they just got peppered.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), the developer responsible for the impacted solar project, Fighting Jays Solar, located in Fort Bend County, Texas, acknowledged the hailstorm’s effects. In a statement to KHOU 11 Verify, they stated, On March 15th, a hailstorm caused solar panel damage to Fighting Jays Solar, a 350 MW project located in Fort Bend County, Texas. We are currently assessing the extent of the impact of the storm on the generation of the project, while the plant continues to safely operate at a reduced capacity. The silicon-based panels contain no cadmium-telluride and we have identified no risk to the local community or the environment.”

Expert Insights

In response to inquiries regarding potential environmental and health implications, the Advanced Power Alliance (APA) reassured the public. They emphasized that solar panels are engineered to endure harsh conditions, including hailstorms, and contain minimal hazardous materials. Addressing concerns over cadmium telluride, often associated with older solar panel models, APA clarified its negligible presence in modern panels, posing minimal risk, if any, to groundwater contamination.

Conclusion: Ensuring Clarity Amidst Environmental Concerns

The confirmation of the viral video’s authenticity underscores the vulnerability of solar infrastructure to severe weather events. However, expert insights from industry stakeholders offer reassurance regarding the minimal environmental and health risks associated with such incidents. As renewable energy continues to expand, ensuring the resilience of solar infrastructure remains a priority for developers and regulators alike.

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