As solar panels grow in popularity, they’re getting cheaper and easier to install. Because of this, solar panels are no longer only found in sunny environments; they can go anywhere. But that also means they are often in the crosshairs of severe weather like hail. So, can hail damage solar panels?
Most solar panel manufacturers produce products that can withstand hail. Nonetheless, severe hail storms can do significant damage to unprotected panels. Damaged panels are typically covered under homeowner’s insurance, and most panels have 25 years warranty’s which include hail damage.
If you live in an area where the weather fluctuates, you should keep an eye on your solar panels to make sure they’re safe. Fortunately, there are a few simple strategies you can use to help mitigate some of the risks involved with solar panels and hail.
Will Solar Panels Survive Hail?
Although it’s not the most common weather event, hail does happen from time to time and it can be somewhat destructive to cars, roofs, and other objects. Since solar panels are usually located on the roof, where they’re bound to be hit, how ready are they for hail damage?
Most solar panels are designed to withstand some level of hail damage. While the type of hail can vary, and other factors like panel material, location, and pitch play into the damage calculations, most panels should survive a hail storm — at least your average hail storm.
How often do freak hail storms happen? A severe hail storm hit the Denver area in 2017, causing all kinds of havoc and destruction. Another storm in Pecos, Texas in 2019 caused an estimated $75 million in damage. So a severe storm is certainly possible.
Panel manufacturers know this is a risk. That’s why most panels have to go through some standard testing to make sure they can withstand hail. The unfortunate truth is that severe hail is not usually included in those tests. Most of the time, panels only need to withstand small ice balls to move through testing.
Large hail, meanwhile, can be 51 mm or bigger… and it can really cause some damage.
Does Homeowners Insurance Pay for Solar Panel Damage from Hail?
If you’re thinking about adding some solar panels to your home, hail is probably on your mind. While you might not see a freak hail storm any time soon, it’s always a risk.
So when the storm has passed, and the damage is done, who fronts the bill?
Insurance policies vary widely, but some will cover hail damage for solar panels. You’ll need to explore your particular policy to make sure you have coverage not only for hail but also for solar panels. Most of the time, solar panels aren’t covered outright. You’ll need to ask for this coverage.
A few years ago, most insurers were ready and willing to pay for hail damage. As the industry has grown, however, the willingness to fully cover panels has waned. Moreover, most manufacturers have escape clauses in their warranties that omit damage from extreme natural phenomena — this can include hail storms.
The last thing you want is to be left in the lurch when your panels get damaged. Talk with your homeowner’s insurance provider. Insuring panels is nothing new, so it won’t be the first time they’ve had these conversations.
Keep in mind that just because your panels are covered doesn’t mean they are covered from hail damage. Since this is in the “extreme weather” category, you should ask for this coverage specifically.
How to Protect Your Solar Panels From Hail
If you want to avoid hail damage to begin with, what can you do? Your panels are right there on your roof. If hail falls, it will certainly hit your panels. Fortunately, there are some easy techniques you can use to mitigate some of the damage.
To help mitigate damage from hail you can:
- Buy panels with tempered glass
- Use panels with glass-glass panel, not glass-foil
- Use panels with thicker glass
- Monitor weather and cover panels when severe weather hits
- Change the pitch of your panels
These are just a few simple ways you can help limit the amount of damage your panels take when severe weather hits. The best option is to use better and stronger panels, since there are quite a lot of differences in manufacturing techniques and materials when it comes to solar panels.
Some are much stronger than others. Moreover, some manufacturers put their panels through more rigorous testing to ensure longevity and durability. If you have any questions, you can always ask your solar panel servicer for more information.
The next step is protecting your panels. While it can be a pain, watching the weather and covering your panels when severe storms approach is a strategy you can use to mitigate damage. Many people use everyday materials like bubble wrap or thick plastic sheets to cover their panels.
Lastly, you can change the pitch of your panels. The more vertical they are, the less chance they will get hit.
Wrapping Up
While solar panels are a great way to reduce your reliance on the main power grid, they do sit out in the open. This means damage from storms and hail is serious business.
Most panels can withstand some amount of hail, but severe storms can cause damage. You can opt to use stronger panels, cover your panels when storms approach, or change the orientation to help limit the damage.