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Rain hammers the roof at dinner time, hailstones rattle the windows, and the solar panels sit out in it with nowhere to hide. The question is can solar panels be damaged by hail, and the short answer is yes: hail can crack panel glass and the cells beneath it, though panels stand up to small hail and large stones are the ones that cause real damage. The rest of this guide covers what that damage looks like, how to check for it after a storm, and how to protect panels before the next one.
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Can solar panels be damaged by hail?
Yes. A solar panel is a sheet of tempered glass over solar cells, and hailstones hit that glass. Small hail leaves most panels unmarked, while a large stone can crack the glass, crack the cells beneath, or bend the frame. A cracked panel can still make power, but the crack lets water reach the cells and the damage grows over time. Hail damage is not always visible at once: a stone can crack a cell without breaking the glass, and the panel keeps working at lower output until the crack spreads. Panels are built for outdoor weather, so a cracked panel is the exception rather than the rule, and the risk rises with the size of the stones.
What hail damage looks like
Hail damage shows up in a few forms, and each one points to a different fix. Cracked glass is the easiest to spot: a web of fine lines across the face of the panel, or a shattered corner. Cracked cells hide under the glass and show as dark lines or dead patches in the cell pattern. A bent frame or a loose mount shows as a panel that sits crooked or rattles in the wind. Water stains under the glass mean the seal has failed and moisture is reaching the cells.
| Damage | What to look for | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked glass | Fine lines or a shattered patch across the face | Have the panel checked before the next rain |
| Cracked cells | Dark lines or dead patches in the cell pattern | Check the power output, then have the panel checked |
| Bent frame or loose mount | A panel that sits crooked or moves in the wind | Have the mount checked before the next storm |
| Water under the glass | Stains or fogging beneath the surface | Have the panel checked, since moisture reaches the cells |
A panel can look fine from the ground and still carry a cracked cell, so the visual check is only the first pass. The power output check in the next step catches what the eye misses.
Step 1: Check the panels after a storm
Wait for the storm to pass and the roof to dry, then look at the panels from the ground with binoculars or from a window that faces the roof. Look for cracked glass, a bent frame, or a panel that has shifted on its mount. Do not climb onto the roof to look closer: a wet roof is slippery, and walking on panels can crack them further. If anything looks wrong, note which panel it is and move on to the output check.
Step 2: Check the power output
Open the monitoring app or the inverter display and compare the output with a clear day before the storm. A panel with cracked cells makes less power than its neighbors, so a sharp drop on a panel points to damage there, while a drop across the whole array points to cloud cover or a system fault. If the whole array drops together, the cause is more likely cloud cover, a tripped breaker, or a fault in the inverter than hail on a panel. Write down the figures you see, so you have a record if you need to show the damage to an installer or an insurer. See the how to check a solar panel guide for the meter checks.
Step 3: Protect the panels before the next storm
Fixed roof panels stay where they are, so protection means covering them or accepting the risk. A rigid panel such as the Renogy 400W example measures 44.7 by 67.8 inches and weighs 45.42 pounds, so a cover has to span the whole panel and hold through wind. A mesh guard or a sturdy cover spreads the force of a stone across the panel face. Tilt helps too: a panel set at a steep angle lets hail glance off, while a flat panel takes the hit square on. Covers also keep leaves and debris off the glass, which helps the panels stay clean between storms.
Portable panels are easier to protect. The Eving 70W sunshade panel (on Amazon) measures 28.0 by 53.0 inches, and a panel that size can be folded away or moved under cover when hail is forecast. Covers made for outdoor gear show the same idea at other sizes: the ULTCOVER umbrella cover fits solar umbrellas 8 to 11 feet, and pool reel covers from UCEDER and codree fit reels up to 18 feet and 20 feet. Check the size before buying a cover, and never tie a cover to a panel in a way that pulls on the frame.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Can small hail damage solar panels?
Small hail leaves most panels unmarked, and damage shows up when stones are large enough to crack glass. A stone big enough to break a car window can crack panel glass too. Check the panels after any storm that leaves dents or broken branches behind, and look for the signs in the table above.
How do I know if hail damaged my solar panels?
Look for cracked glass, a bent frame, or a panel that has shifted, then check the power output against a clear day before the storm. A drop on a panel points to damage on that panel, while a drop across the whole array points to cloud cover or a system fault. If the glass is cracked, have the panel checked before the next rain.
Should I cover my solar panels during a hailstorm?
Cover portable panels or move them under cover when hail is forecast. A rigid panel such as the Renogy 400W example measures 44.7 by 67.8 inches, so a cover has to span the whole panel and hold through wind. For fixed roof panels, a mesh guard or a cover sized to the panel is the practical option.
Does hail damage void a solar panel warranty?
Warranty terms differ by maker, so read the warranty that came with the panels and keep photos and output records from after the storm. A cracked panel is a warranty question for the maker, not something to fix by opening the panel.
Related solar guides
See the solar panel maintenance guide, the how to repair solar panels guide, the issues with solar panels guide and the solar panel guides.
