Texas weather is unpredictable — one minute you have clear skies, and the next, a severe thunderstorm, lightning storm, hailstorm, or high wind event rolls through. With solar panels sitting exposed on your roof, it’s natural to wonder whether your solar system should be turned off during extreme weather.

Most homeowners don’t know the rules for safe solar operation during storms. Some worry about lightning strikes. Others wonder if hail will damage panels. And many aren’t sure what to do if the power goes out while the solar system is running.

This guide breaks down exactly when your solar system should stay on, when it should be shut down, and how to protect your panels and electrical system during Texas’s most common severe weather events.

Do Solar Panels Need to Be Turned Off During a Storm?

Most of the time, no — modern solar systems are built to operate safely through normal storms.

However, there are certain weather conditions where shutting down the system prevents damage, protects your inverter, and reduces electrical hazards.

Let’s break it down by weather type.

1. Thunderstorms and Lightning

Do you need to turn the system off?

Usually no, but yes in extreme lightning conditions.

Solar systems are equipped with:

• Rapid shutdown mechanisms
• Grounding protections
• Surge-protection components

These help keep the system safe during typical thunderstorms.

However, homeowners should shut down their solar system if:

• Lightning is striking extremely close
• There are repeated power flickers
• The inverter is showing fault messages
• The home has a history of voltage surges
• A lightning strike occurred nearby recently

Lightning can damage:

• Inverters
• Optimizers
• Communication boards
• Monitoring equipment
• Home electrical panels

If lightning feels “too close for comfort,” it’s safer to shut the system down until the storm passes.

2. Hailstorms (One of the Most Common Texas Solar Threats)

Texas hailstorms can be intense, with hailstones large enough to damage roofs, vehicles, and sometimes solar panels.

Should you turn off the system?

Turning the system off won’t stop hail damage — but it can protect the inverter and electrical system from sudden voltage drops or cracked panel strings.

During hailstorms:

• Panels may crack
• Wiring can loosen
• Strings can partially fail
• The inverter may experience unstable voltage

If you know hail is approaching, shutting the system down prevents electrical stress if a panel is damaged mid-storm.

Turn off your solar system if:

• Hailstones are 1 inch or larger
• There is a severe thunderstorm warning
• Panels are older or already compromised
• You see sudden drops in production during the storm

Once the storm is over, the system should not be restarted until panels are inspected for cracks, hot spots, or electrical imbalance.

3. High (or Dangerous) Winds

Windstorms in DFW can reach damaging speeds, especially during spring and fall.

Do you need to turn the system off?

Not usually — but if there’s a chance your panels may shift or roof damage may occur, shutting down the system can prevent electrical arcing.

High winds can:

• Loosen racking hardware
• Pull at wiring
• Shift conduit
• Damage roof seals
• Stress panel mounts

If hardware moves during high winds, electrical connections can pull apart, creating a risk of:

• Arc faults
• Ground faults
• String failure
• Inverter damage

Turn the system off if:

• Winds exceed 60–70 mph
• A tornado watch becomes a warning
• You hear rattling or movement on the roof
• Your system has older or weakened mounts

If winds are borderline damaging, shutting off the system is the safest option.

4. Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Moisture Intrusion

Solar panels handle heavy rain extremely well — this type of weather does not require the system to be shut off.

However, flooding and moisture intrusion are different concerns.

Turn off your system immediately if:

• Water enters your attic near the array
• Water reaches ground-level electrical equipment
• You see water inside the inverter cover
• You observe moisture inside conduit or junction boxes

Moisture-related electrical issues can cause:

• Corrosion
• Ground faults
• Sudden inverter shutdowns
• String-level failures

This is one of the most common causes of hidden system damage after storms.

5. Snow and Ice Storms

Though rare in DFW, winter storms have increased in recent years.

Do you need to turn the system off?

Not unless:

• Ice is weighing down the array
• Panels are experiencing expansion cracks
• Snow is melting irregularly across the system
• You see inconsistent inverter behavior

Panels shut down naturally during snow cover, but ice can cause tension on wiring and mounts.

If you hear creaking or shifting on the roof, power down the system and schedule an inspection.

What Happens If the Power Goes Out During a Storm?

Every grid-tied solar system in Texas automatically shuts off during a power outage. This is a safety requirement to protect utility workers.

This means:

• Your panels stop producing power
• Your inverter shuts down
• You won’t have power unless you have a battery system

Important:

You do not need to manually shut your system down during a power outage — your inverter does this for you.

Signs Your System Needs to Stay Off After a Storm

After severe weather, some systems appear functional but may have hidden damage.

Leave the system off if you notice:

• Cracked or shattered panels
• Loose racking or mounts
• Exposed wiring
• Inverter errors
• Burning smell
• Buzzing or clicking sounds
• Water leaking near the array
• Rapid shutdown device not responding
• Sudden zero production on sunny days

Restarting the system too soon can turn a minor issue into a major one.

How to Safely Shut Down Your Solar System (Homeowner-Friendly Steps)

Every home is slightly different, but shutdown instructions usually follow this order:

1. Turn off the AC disconnect

This is typically located near the inverter.

2. Shut off the inverter

Use the main switch on the inverter body.

3. Turn off the DC disconnect

This shuts down panel-side power.

After the storm passes, do not restart the system until the inverter is dry, the panels are intact, and no wiring is exposed.

Why Texas Solar Systems Need Post-Storm Maintenance

Texas storms cause more solar damage than most homeowners realize.

After severe weather, maintenance checks can identify:

• Hot spots
• Loosened wiring
• Failing connectors
• Conduit separation
• Hidden panel cracks
• Inverter stress
• Roof penetration damage
• Moisture inside electrical components

Even if the system seems fine, these issues can build over time and lead to sudden, expensive failures.

When a Solar Detach & Reset Is Required After a Storm

A Solar Detach & Reset (D&R) is needed when storms cause deeper damage beneath the array, such as:

• Roof leaks under the panels
• Lifted mounts or shifted racking
• Wiring damage hidden under the system
• Broken conduit
• Wildlife intrusion due to storm displacement
• Multiple panel-level failures

A D&R allows technicians to remove the panels, inspect everything beneath, and reinstall the system safely and to code.

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