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fir <br />Figure 4: The mangled PV panels in this picture illustrate the nature of broken solar panels; the glass cracks but the panel is <br />still in one piece. Image Source: http://img.alibaba.com/Photo/l15259576/broken—solar�anel.jpg <br />PV panels constructed with the same basic components as modern panels have been installed <br />across the globe for well over thirty years .3 The long-term durability and performance demonstrated <br />over these decades, as well as the results of accelerated lifetime testing, helped lead to an industry - <br />standard 25 -year power production warranty for PV panels. These power warranties warrant a PV panel <br />to produce at least 80% of their original nameplate production after 25 years of use. A recent SolarCity <br />and DNV GL study reported that today's quality PV panels should be expected to reliably and <br />efficiently produce power for thirty-five years..4 <br />Local building codes require all structures, including ground mounted solar arrays, to be <br />engineered to withstand anticipated wind speeds, as defined by the local wind speed requirements. Many <br />racking products are available in versions engineered for wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, which <br />is significantly higher than the wind speed requirement anywhere in North Carolina. The strength of PV <br />mounting structures were demonstrated during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and again during Hurricane <br />Matthew in 2016. During Hurricane Sandy, the many large-scale solar facilities in New Jersey and New <br />York at that time suffered only minor damage..5 In the fall of 2016, the US and Caribbean experienced <br />destructive winds and torrential rains from Hurricane Matthew, yet one leading solar tracker <br />manufacturer reported that their numerous systems in the impacted area received zero damage from <br />wind or flooding..6 <br />In the event of a catastrophic event capable of damaging solar equipment, such as a tornado, the <br />system will almost certainly have property insurance that will cover the cost to cleanup and repair the <br />project. It is in the best interest of the system owner to protect their investment against such risks. It is <br />also in their interest to get the project repaired and producing full power as soon as possible. Therefore, <br />the investment in adequate insurance is a wise business practice for the system owner. For the same <br />E <br />