Are Stainless Steel Solar Fasteners Really Stainless?

Most people assume that stainless steel solar fasteners are, in fact, completely resistant to corrosion. Why else would these fasteners be labelled as “stainless?” This misconception may result in poor designs and incorrect consumer assumptions, inevitably harming the solar industry as a whole. While stainless steel fasteners have high levels of corrosion resistance, only unaltered […]

Most people assume that stainless steel solar fasteners are, in fact, completely resistant to corrosion. Why else would these fasteners be labelled as “stainless?” This misconception may result in poor designs and incorrect consumer assumptions, inevitably harming the solar industry as a whole.

While stainless steel fasteners have high levels of corrosion resistance, only unaltered platinum and gold are totally resistant to corrosion in all of its forms. But using precious metals on a solar panel application is not feasible, and stainless steel does provide impressive durability and strength. Let’s take a closer look at the expected performance for stainless solar fasteners.

Stainless Steel in History

Back in 1930 the New York City skyline was altered by the Chrysler Building, an impressive structure with a very distinct roof. The peak of that roof was clad in 302 stainless steel, and is exposed to the same conditions a typical solar panel application would endure. After more than 80 years in the sky, recent inspections indicate that the stainless cladding has retained its thickness and shows no indications of corrosion.

Another stainless steel success story stands in St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis Arch is known as the tallest manmade monument in America and is clad in plates made from 304 stainless steel. This structure endures all forms of weather, UV rays and high winds, just as any solar panel application would. Besides regular cleaning to make the Arch shine, this monument requires no additional maintenance to avoid corrosion and no indications of corrosion have been noted.

Hundreds of other examples of stainless steel products exposed to sun, rain, snow and wind help to perpetuate the idea that this metal is 100 percent resistant to corrosion. With a track record like that, solar panel designers and manufacturers are safe in specifying stainless steel fasteners, and can expect to receive a lifetime of performance.

Economics and the history of stainless steel usage pushes this metal into the limelight for solar panel applications. Although stainless steel solar fasteners may not truly be stainless for life, their longevity, strength and durability make them one of the best choices on the market.