Hail Damage To Solar Panels | What Are The Chances?

Modern solar panels are designed to be strong enough to handle severe weather. But, sometimes, it can be so harsh here in Australia that you can’t help but worry about hail damage to solar panels.

If it does happen, the damage can negatively affect the efficiency and performance of your solar system. This not only lowers your system’s total output, but it might also be dangerous.

To help you be more informed, listed below are the topics this article covers. Feel free to tap on any of the bullet points to skip sections.

• The probability of hail-damaged solar panels
• Australia’s history of hail storms damaging solar systems
• 4 tips that can protect your solar panels from hail

What are the chances my solar panels get damaged from a hail storm?

According to the NREL, the chances of a hailstorm damaging your solar panels is less than 0.05%.

Yes, modern solar panels are that strong. They have to be because the latest IEC standards say that they have to withstand 25mm hailstones traveling at over 80 km/h. Some cars don’t even go that fast.

That being said, barely above 0% still means there’s a chance – albeit slim – that your solar panels incur damage. After all, they’ve happened before. Below are just a few examples.

Times in Australia where extreme hail harmed solar panels

1. Canberra, January 2020: Hail the size of golf balls, along with high winds of up to 117 km/h, wreaked havoc and tore through windows, cars, and of course, solar systems.
2. Victoria, December 2017: A thunderstorm that came with brutal rain, winds, and hail stones that are a fair bit larger than 20-cent coins ravaged Victorian homes and buildings.
3. Queensland, November 2014: A 30-minute squall hit Brisbane with winds as fast as 140 km/h and hail the size of tennis balls. It got so bad, entire roofs were peeled off of houses.
4. New South Wales, December 2018: Hail with diameters larger than 3 inches hit Sydney so bad, damage costs were estimated to be more than $125 million.

Weather as severe as the examples above could happen again, maybe without any warning. And, when that time comes, you’re going to want to protect your investments, including your solar system.

Below are a few tips that can help you do that.

4 tips that can help prevent hail from damaging your solar modules

1. Make sure your solar panels are properly installed

First of all, I’m not against DIY installations. If you want to, then by all means. However, I also strongly recommend getting solar panels installed by someone who’s CEC-accredited.

For one, hiring these servicemen can make you eligible for the government’s rebates. Thus, making your system thousands of dollars cheaper.

But, more importantly, CEC-accredited installers don’t get accredited without going through proper training, so hiring them helps ensure that your system is set up for whatever Mother Nature throws at it.

If you don’t know where to look for these installers, we have a pre-vetted network of them that’s ready to help. Whenever you’re ready, we can get you 3 FREE quotes from them right away.

2. Invest in high-quality components

This means panels, inverters, and everything in between – including mounts and brackets!

High-quality components are generally also more durable. Warranty length is often a good indicator of this but read the fine details, too. Or, better yet, ask your installer or the manufacturer of your prospects about how they’re able to withstand the country’s harsh weather.

3. Monitor weather conditions

This tip won’t just save you money in potential damages but it could save your life, too.

Watch the news, read the paper, or do whatever it is that keeps you informed of the weather. If terrible weather is coming, take precautionary measures to make sure that you and your assets are protected.

For your system, check that all the bolts are tight and that there are no visible cracks or damages. If you find anything out of the ordinary, call your installer or manufacturer immediately.

You could also purchase and use solar panel protective covers. Although, be warned that they restrict your system’s ability to generate power. Only use them when huge storms pose a threat to your system.

4. Make sure your system has insurance

We have a more comprehensive guide about insurance for solar panels but here’s the gist of it:

Solar modules, inverters, and all the other components of your system can be covered by your home and contents insurance provider. Of course, different policies cover different things and circumstances, so make sure to ask your insurance provider about it.

Manufacturers also have product warranties. Read or ask about them before you purchase your system. If you don’t agree with what the warranties cover, consider a different manufacturer. Generally, though, physical defects and environmental damage should be covered.

Conclusion

While it happens very rarely, solar systems do get hail damage, particularly if conditions are so bad that they also peel roofs off of houses.

In general, though, rooftop solar panels that are sold within the country are also built to handle its tough conditions. International as well as Australian standards have made sure of that.

But, if damage does happen, cracks, dings, as well as the dip in power output will all be obvious. In that case, product warranties and insurance policies should have those damages covered.