Mallorca storm: solar panels fall on cars at Palma university

Solar panels torn down in Wednesday's Mallorca storm have damaged parked cars at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) campus in Palma. The Can López car park, the worst-hit area, is closed until further notice. University teams are now assessing the cost of damage to buildings, solar installations and vehicles.

Torrential rain and fierce wind damaged doors, windows and façades, as well as solar panels and several cars. The buildings most affected were Guillem Cifre de Colonya, Guillem Colom Casasnovas, Beatriu de Pinós and Gaspar Melchos de Jovellanos.

Car owners asked to report damage

About 10 per cent of the campus's photovoltaic installations — solar-power systems — were affected. The UIB said it would deal with each damaged vehicle individually, asking owners to contact its Infrastructure, Campus and Sustainability department with their details and information about the vehicle.

Possible tornado under investigation

Vice-rector Carles Mulet said the pattern of uprooted trees suggested a possible tornado, known locally as a cap de fibló, may have caused the damage. The campus station of Spain's state weather agency, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet), recorded a peak gust of about 95 kilometres per hour.

Despite the solar-panel damage, the university estimates its power supply remains at between 75 and 80 per cent, with building lighting working properly. Teaching has continued as normal, while rail services between the UIB and Palma are running at their usual frequency without major disruption.

Topics: Weather · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com