How to make solar panels more robust

I've been toying with the idea of solar pV for a while. We're not off grid so the payoff is fairly steep, but in our long summer days (still a way away at the moment) we could theroetically generate a fair amount of energy. One of the things that concerns me is durability. I hear that the panels don't last long, that they degrade in time. I live in a windy area - how to I ensure that the panels have the best life expectancy possible? What have you done to ensure that your panels survive storms. Is it just a matter of spending more money, or are there tricks that can help?

Most modern panels are actually pretty durable good ones often last 25+ years, just with gradual output loss. The biggest factors are quality panels, a properly engineered mounting system for your wind zone, good flashing/sealing, and leaving enough airflow under the panels to keep them cooler. In windy areas, the rack and attachments matter just as much as the panels themselves.

Does anyone know if panel mounting systems have been developed for Hurricane force winds? There are a number of Islands that would benefit from solar panels, but they're also in the line of Hurricanes (Typhoon in the Pacific, but same principles apply).

Are there any "cheater" systems that can be applied quickly to reinforce the panels if really bad weather is incoming? I remember reading (I think here on permies) of a family who had a giant fishing net which they put over their roof and properly anchored when there were storm warnings.

I can't imagine how people cope. We just had 60 km/h gusts the other day and I'm still cleaning up the chaos and will be for at least a week. That's baby wind compared to a hurricane.

Jay Angler wrote:I can't imagine how people cope. We just had 60 km/h gusts the other day and I'm still cleaning up the chaos and will be for at least a week. That's baby wind compared to a hurricane.

We get storms of about 90 mph most winters (still short of hurricanes - that is a bit more unusual) If you get it all the time the infrastructure and environment get used to it - if not they fail....that's what I want to avoid too. There is no point in forking out hundreds (or thousands) of pounds and having the panels sail away into the Loch. Also the constant battering of lesser winds (temperature fluctuations are less of an issue here, but appear to be huge in parts of the USofA), might lead to fatigue issues too.
That's good what you say about the panels lasting reasonably well these days Michael. All the technology seems so confusing it's difficult to know what might be best.