One of the things that simply cannot be controlled is the weather in many parts of the Midwest, and if you have or are considering a solar panel installation you may be wondering what the process is for handling or repairing solar panel hail storm damage. Solar panels are incredibly resilient in most cases, having robust construction and protected by tempered glass, but in severe weather like hail, damage can still happen. The best course of action is to be as prepared as possible, so you know what to do if some of your panels sustain damage during a hail storm.
Manufacturer Warranties Often Don’t Cover Weather
One of the biggest caveats with installing solar panels is that in the majority of situations the manufacturer warranty on the panels will not cover solar panel hail storm damage or other types of storm damage. This doesn’t mean that once your system is installed that you’re out of luck if damage happens, you just need to make sure you have protection. In most cases, this means adding the solar power installation to some form of insurance.
Ensure Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
The most common way to make sure that you have any parts and labor covered in the event of severe weather is to add your solar panels and other equipment to your existing homeowner’s insurance policy. This will ensure that if panels are damaged or destroyed, not only will the homeowner be able to be reimbursed for the cost of the panels, but also the labor expense needed for their solar professional partner to install them.
Recovering From Severe Solar Panel Hail Storm Damage
In most cases, your solar panels will be just fine through severe weather, including hail. This is due to the modern high-tech construction of the panels that Barrett Solar utilizes. Older panels often only had protection from a clear layer of polycarbonate plastic, which while quite strong, was susceptible to cracking and shattering in some situations. Newer panels are protected by a sheet of extremely tough tempered glass which is similar to the glass used in automotive windows and is extremely difficult to damage.
How Panels Are Replaced
When panels are damaged, replacing them is a relatively simple task when delegated to a trusted solar professional. In many cases, only the panel is damaged, and the microinverter located behind it is still operational. This means that the panel can simply be disconnected from the microinverter and the rest of the panels, and swapped out for a new one. The modular nature of a solar power system is just one of its many benefits.
Solar Panel Hail Storm Damage & Roof Replacement
In some cases where severe hail storm damage has not only damaged or destroyed multiple solar panels but has also resulted in irreparable damage to the roof, the roof itself may need to be replaced. In situations like this, it’s crucial that the installation be covered by your homeowner’s insurance since the entire solar panel array and racking system will need to be removed before the roof can be replaced. Without adequate insurance coverage, this can become incredibly expensive, very quickly.
Monitor Your Panels’ Status Remotely
Whether you own multiple properties and have invested in solar panel systems for them, or you have panels on your only home, you won’t even need to physically check the system after severe weather. The solar panels that Barrett Solar uses each have a smart microinverter that helps refine the current they produce but also allows you to log into your monitoring software and check their condition and output any time you like.
Solar Panel Hail Storm Damage: Trust Your Solar Partners At Barrett Solar To Simplify Everything
Recovering after severe weather events can be stressful, but working with experienced solar technicians can make all the difference. Reach out today to your trusted local solar professionals at Barrett Solar for more information or to schedule someone to evaluate your solar panel hail storm damage.