June 17, 2025, 5:05 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Solar panels are now installed on many rooftops. Rising electricity prices are making them increasingly attractive. Additionally, there are now many subsidies available. But what happens to a solar panel when extreme weather occurs?
High temperatures, stormy thunderstorms, and occasional hailstorms with golf ball-sized hailstones–the weather seems to be getting more extreme and unpredictable. But what happens to the photovoltaic system on the roof or balcony during hail? Can hail damage or even destroy a solar system? myHOMEBOOK asked Ute Swart from the German Solar Industry Association.
Can Hail Damage a Solar System?
Storms with wind and hail are becoming more frequent in our regions. And anyone who has been hit by hail knows how painful it can be. So what happens to the solar system on the roof or balcony when hail falls? Ute Swart from the German Solar Industry Association can offer reassurance: “Solar modules typically use thermally or chemically hardened special glass. This protects the solar cells from extreme heat and cold as well as from common hailstorms. Solar modules sold in Germany and the European Union must also be certified, meaning they are resistant to hail–at least to a certain extent.”
To What Extent Is the Solar System Safe?
“While, for example, a car body can be visibly damaged by hailstones as small as two centimeters, standard tests for solar glass typically consider hailstones the size of a ping-pong or golf ball.” However, there can be exceptions: “In our regions, still very rare occurrences of large or giant hail associated with extreme weather events can also cause solar glass on solar modules to break. Additionally, microcracks can form in the underlying solar cells, which are not always visible to the naked eye but can lead to performance losses,” the expert further explains.
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Can You Protect Your Solar System from Hail?
No. When weather phenomena associated with large or giant hail occur, you cannot specifically protect your solar roof. “Given the still rare large hail events, protective measures would be disproportionate in terms of effort,” Swart explains.
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What Insurance Covers Hail Damage?
“The photovoltaic system should be covered by building insurance, including liability insurance. For larger systems, it may be advisable to take out special photovoltaic insurance with a property insurer that covers additional risks and, for example, insures against loss of income.” The expert also points out that system operators should carefully read the insurance terms. Not all insurance policies cover hail damage.
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