Does Hail Break Solar Panels?
Living in Hail Alley? Solar panels are tougher than your car's windshield. Learn about the IEC 61215 impact test and tempered glass durability.
You live in Texas or the Midwest. You watch the sky turn green in April. You hear the ice hitting the roof.
Your first thought is: "There goes my $30,000 glass roof."
It is a natural fear. We associate glass with fragility. But solar panels are not made of window glass. They are made of Tempered Safety Glass bonded to a polymer backsheet.
The Ice Ball Cannon To be sold in the US, solar panels must pass the IEC 61215 durability test.
Engineers literally take an ice ball cannon and fire 1-inch hail at the panel at 50+ mph. Then they load the panel with weights to simulate snow and wind.
I have driven through neighborhoods after massive hailstorms. The skylights were smashed. The car windshields were spiderwebbed. The vinyl siding was shredded. The solar panels? Not a scratch.
The Insurance Safety Net Let's say the storm of the century hits. Softball-sized hail. It smashes everything.
If the hail is big enough to break a solar panel, it is definitely big enough to destroy your asphalt shingles. Your roof is totaled.
This triggers an insurance claim for the Roof. Your insurance company will pay to replace the roof. As part of that claim, they pay to "Detach and Reset" the solar panels. If the panels are actually broken, they pay to replace them (assuming you added them to your policy coverage).
Pro Tip From the Field "If you live in 'Hail Alley,' don't buy the cheapest panels. Look for a high Static Load Rating (5400 Pa).
But here is the real pro move: If you do get hail damage, turn the system off.
Even if the glass is shattered, the solar cells underneath might still be live. If water gets into those cracks, it can cause a ground fault or an arc fire. If you see broken glass, hit the red 'AC Disconnect' switch on the wall immediately and call your installer. Do not touch the panels."
FAQ: Storm Damage
- Q: Does the manufacturer warranty cover hail?
- A: No. That is considered an 'Act of God.' You must rely on your Homeowners Insurance for impact damage.
- Q: Can I buy a protective cover for hail?
- A: Some companies sell wire mesh screens, but they reduce light output and lower efficiency. It is generally better to trust the tempered glass and your insurance policy.
- Q: Do panels protect the roof from hail?
- A: Absolutely. The part of the roof under the solar array is basically armored. It will be the only part of your roof that doesn't need replacing."