Severe storms, hail, and hurricane-force winds are on the rise in many regions—and with them, damage to photovoltaic systems. Extreme weather conditions are particularly common during the summer months, with wind speeds that can not only uproot trees but also tear solar modules from their anchors.

But how does such damage occur? What should operators do after a storm – and how can the damage be repaired or prevented? This guide provides you with specific assistance in the event of storm damage to your PV system.

What causes damage by storms to PV systems ?

Photovoltaic systems are generally designed to withstand wind and weather—provided they have been installed correctly. However, in extreme weather conditions, even small weak points can cause significant damage. The most common causes include:

• Inadequately secured substructures
• Outdated or non-certified mounting systems
• Installation errors or lack of maintenance
• Unsuitable module types or orientation (e.g., flat mounting in strong winds)
• Hail or flying branches hitting the module surface directly

Typical storm damage to PV systems: From slipped modules to complete detachment

Not all storm damage is immediately visible—and not all of it is harmless. In addition to microcracks and cell breaks or broken glass on the modules themselves, there are a number of other types of damage that occur frequently:

Sliding of systems on flat roofs

Photovoltaic systems mounted on flat roofs are particularly at risk if they are not adequately ballasted. If wind pressure and suction exceed the weight force, modules can slide, tip over, or even detach completely from the roof during storms. This happens especially when ballasting plans are not followed, wind deflectors are forgotten, or systems that are too light are used.

The result: damaged roof seals, loose cables, structural stress—and in the worst case, the loss of entire rows of modules.

Systems blown off the roof due to installation errors

In particularly severe cases, storms tear entire PV systems off buildings, including the substructure and roof covering. Such scenarios are usually caused by installation errors, such as:

• Too few or incorrectly placed roof hooks
• Structures built beyond the roof ridge
• Incorrect module inclination or orientation
• Errors in the static design of the substructure

This type of damage is not only expensive, but also poses considerable risks to life and limb in the surrounding area.

Damage to the modules themselves

Depending on the module type, typical storm damage manifests itself as follows:

Glass-foil modules:

• Visible glass breakage on the front side
• Cell breakage or microcracks (often not directly visible)

Glass-glass modules:

• Less susceptible to microcracks
• However, possible breakage on the front or back
• Back glass breakage often undetected in flat roof installations

Tip: Even modules that appear undamaged on the outside can cause long-term yield losses due to fine cell cracks. A thorough inspection is advisable.

How can I detect invisible damage?

If there is no visible damage after a storm, this does not automatically mean that everything is fine. Cell breaks and microcracks can take months to become noticeable. To be on the safe side, there are three proven testing methods:

• Yield data check: Poor system performance despite good solar radiation can be detected by checking the feed-in tariff statement or through monitoring.
• Electroluminescence test: Reveals fine cell breaks and microcracks inside the module.
• Performance measurement with flasher: Determines the actual module performance in comparison to the nominal performance.

Note: SecondSol has the appropriate testing systems. Suspicious modules can be tested using electroluminescence and a flasher – even if no damage is visible at first glance. In individual cases, customers send in their modules for inspection.

Checklist: 5 immediate measures to take after storm damage

Here's what to do if hail has damaged your solar modules:

1. Document the damage

   Take photos of all visible damage—preferably in daylight and from different angles.

2. Switch off the PV system if necessary

    Only do this if you have the necessary expertise—if in doubt, call a specialist company!

3. Inform your insurance company

    Report the damage immediately and submit the documentation.

4. Hire a specialist company

    For visual inspection, electroluminescence or flasher test, if necessary.

5. No quick repairs!

    Wait for approval from your insurance company first

6. Obtain replacement modules

     You can find suitable replacement modules via SecondSol.

Solution: Spare parts and replicas from SecondSol

After storm damage, defective modules or parts often need to be replaced. But what if:

• the affected module model is no longer in production?
• the original substructure is no longer available on the market?

SecondSol offers suitable spare parts—and in many cases even replicas of solar modules that are no longer available—so that you can completely repair your system and continue operating it

Calculate loss of yield

Storm damage not only causes repair costs—lost feed-in revenues can also be significant. With the SecondSol loss of yield calculator, you can easily calculate how much you have lost based on your feed-in bill:

Calculate loss of yield now

Conclusion: Act quickly, check carefully – and repair any damage

A storm can quickly turn a functioning PV system into a problem – but it is also a solvable one. By taking a structured approach, documenting damage professionally, and taking the right steps, you can minimize yield losses and consequential damage.

Find replacement parts now

Whether you need a new module, a suitable inverter, or mounting materials, SecondSol allows you to find replacement parts quickly, affordably, and tailored to your existing system.

Find replacement parts now