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Beyond rain erosion: the growing role of UV resistance

Published in: Wind, Exclusive Articles, Industrial Insight

UV exposure is an often overlooked factor in blade durability. As wind assets operate for longer, material selection and long-term resistance to environmental ageing are becoming increasingly important.

For much of the wind industry’s history, discussions around leading-edge erosion have centred on the most visible threats to blade integrity: rain, hail, airborne particulates, salt spray, insects and icing events. These environmental forces can cause physical damage, gradually degrading blade surfaces, reducing aerodynamic efficiency and ultimately requiring costly maintenance interventions.

As the global wind fleet matures, however, the conversation is evolving. Asset owners are no longer focused solely on repairing erosion once it occurs. They are taking a broader view of blade lifecycle management, considering how protection systems perform over decades rather than years and how materials respond to the full range of environmental stresses encountered throughout a turbine’s operating life.

In that context, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is emerging as an important consideration.

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Beyond rain erosion: the growing role of UV resistance

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