Solar farms in PEI damaged by post-tropical storm Fiona
2022Published 5 Oct 2026
Companies named in this entry: P.E.I. Energy
What happened
Solar panel farms in Prince Edward Island sustained damage from high winds during post-tropical storm Fiona in September 2022. At the Sunbank solar farm in Summerside, which was still under construction, approximately 60 to 70 panels out of 14,000 were dislodged from their racking. Damage was put at about $50,000. No erosion or damage to piling and racking was reported. The Slemon Park Microgrid Project, a 10-megawatt facility, also sustained significant damage.
The P.E.I. Energy Corporation began evaluating and quantifying that damage with a view to a repair plan. Construction at Sunbank was delayed for several days but was said to remain on schedule. Remediation there was expected to take no more than a week. Private solar installations on the island were also reported damaged, including panels destroyed when a barn roof collapsed.
Contributing factors
High winds associated with post-tropical storm Fiona.
Lessons learned
- Secure or reinforce solar panel arrays during construction so they can withstand extreme wind.
- Establish rapid post-storm assessment and repair arrangements to limit downtime.
- Check that racking and mounting systems are rated for regional wind loads.
Source
Published 2026-10-05. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.