# Iranian researchers model PV panel tilt and wind effects on hail impact severity

- Published: 2026-11-06 08:28 UTC
- Section: Power & Energy › Energy
- Tags: solar panel hail risk, photovoltaic module tilt angle, hailstone trajectory model, Shahrood University of Technology, pv hail damage simulation
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-cf230ee6e145616c0722f5d8_iranian_researchers_model/

**A computational model shows that wind direction and tilt angle alter perpendicular kinetic energy during hail strikes on solar modules.**

![Iranian researchers model PV panel tilt and wind effects on hail impact severity](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/b67eeb6b197bd865.jpg)
*Andreas -horn- Hornig, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0*

Researchers from Shahrood University of Technology, Radsun Energy Pars, and Asoo Vision Pardaz in Iran have developed a computational model to evaluate hailstone trajectories and impact mechanics on photovoltaic modules, pv-magazine.com reported. The team simulated spherical hailstones measuring 1 cm to 10 cm falling from an initial altitude of 2,000 m under wind speeds ranging from 1 m/s to 50 m/s [1]. The governing aerodynamic and gravitational equations were solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method under constant air and ice densities.

To evaluate localized environmental risks, the authors analyzed meteorological data collected from 2004 to 2024 for a 3 MW solar installation located in Takestan, Iran [1]. They compared panel tilt angles of 25° and 30° across four specific wind scenarios: 22.8 m/s from 350°, alongside 24 m/s from 200°, 350°, and 360° [1].

## Aerodynamic drag calculations

The simulation revealed that assuming a constant drag coefficient creates substantial numerical errors for larger particles [1]. For hailstones with diameters of 8 cm or greater, using a constant drag coefficient yielded deviations of up to approximately 14% compared to calculations that incorporated Reynolds-number-dependent drag coefficients, according to corresponding author Armin Hasanpour [1].

Calculated impact velocities were projected normal to the panel surface to compute the perpendicular component of kinetic energy [1]. The researchers evaluated potential mechanical cracking and indentation using a conceptual damage model based on an assumed critical threshold of 2 J, validating the outputs against angle-adjusted theoretical energy calculations [1].

## Directional wind and tilt dynamics

The findings indicated that wind speed alone cannot predict hail damage severity [1]. Hasanpour stated that the interaction between wind direction, horizontal wind velocity, and panel azimuth alters the incident impact angle and distributed kinetic energy across the glass surface [1].

Adjusting the module tilt from 25° to 30° shifted the perpendicular kinetic energy load delivered by incoming hailstones under identical wind conditions [1]. The authors concluded that photovoltaic racking orientation and tilt angles must balance electrical yield optimization with site-specific hail trajectories and local atmospheric patterns [1].

## Sources

1. [pv-magazine.com](https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/11/06/optimal-solar-module-tilt-angle-for-hail-protection-is-site-specific-researchers-find)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-cf230ee6e145616c0722f5d8_iranian_researchers_model/