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Normandy firm invents solar glass to withstand hailstones
3mm thick solar glass that withstands 5cm hailstones will help protect photovoltaic panels as severe storms increase
A Normandy-based company has developed a new type of solar glass designed to withstand hailstones up to 5cm in diameter, as increasingly severe weather raises concerns about damage to renewable energy infrastructure in France.
Aurys Industries, based in Carentan-les-Marais in the Manche department, unveiled its patented Ostorm Resist Solar glass following a series of violent hailstorms that hit parts of France in May.
The company says the product has achieved the highest level of hail resistance, known as RG5, meaning it can withstand the impact of very large hailstones measuring up to 5cm across.
Jean-François Outin, Business Manager for OEM & Retail Specialties at Aurys Industries, says the product is designed to respond to changing weather patterns.
“Climate change is driving increasingly frequent and more violent hail events,”
he explains.
He adds that Ostorm Resist Solar is “the first anti-hail solar glass, 3mm thick, and does not contain antimony [a chemical sometimes used in glass production that can be harmful to the environment]”.
According to the company, the glass is integrated into the Tarka Diamant photovoltaic panel, assembled in Alsace by French manufacturer Voltec Solar.
Despite its strength, the glass is just 3mm thick, helping keep solar panels lightweight at under 25kg. Aurys Industries says it has been engineered to better absorb and disperse the energy from hail impacts, reducing the risk of cracking and damage.
The product comes in two versions – a clear version and an anti-glare version designed for airports – and can be used in solar panels, rooftops, glass façades, greenhouses, shading structures and solar tiles.
Mr Outin says the glass offers a range of technical advantages, including a weight of 7.5kg per square metre, compliance with safety standards for lightweight modules, and strong mechanical resistance.
He adds that it has been tested to RG5 hail resistance standards under IEC 61215, can withstand thermal shocks up to 250°C, and has a flexural strength of 160 MPa.
The company also highlights environmental benefits. The glass includes around 30% recycled material, which Aurys says improves recyclability and reduces its environmental impact.
Mr Outin says the wider aim is to support a more circular solar industry and strengthen French manufacturing, adding that the technology is intended to “accelerate decarbonisation and move away from fossil fuels while reinforcing energy independence”.
