Hailstorms are one of the biggest weather concerns for Texas homeowners, especially in DFW where hail season hits hard year after year. Many homeowners with solar panels worry about what hail can do to their system—and for good reason. While solar panels are designed to withstand tough conditions, Texas hail is uniquely aggressive, producing large stones, high wind impact, and repeated hits that can stress both panels and the roof beneath them.
The good news? Most solar systems survive hailstorms better than expected. But hidden damage is extremely common, and if it’s not identified early, it can lead to long-term performance issues, roof leaks, electrical failures, and costly repairs down the road.
In this blog, you’ll learn how hail actually affects solar panels, what warning signs to watch for, when to file a claim, and why professional inspections are essential after every major storm.
How Durable Are Solar Panels Against Hail?
Solar panels undergo rigorous testing before they can be sold, including impact tests that simulate hail. Most panels are certified to withstand hail up to:
- 1-inch hail at roughly 50 mph, and
- Impact on multiple areas of the panel surface
But there’s a major difference between standard testing and Texas reality. North Texas storms frequently produce:
- 1.5–2-inch hail
- High-speed wind-driven impact
- Repeated strikes within minutes
- Large, irregularly shaped stones
Texas hailstorms often exceed the conditions solar panels were tested for. That doesn’t mean panels will always break, but they are at higher risk than in milder regions.
What Happens When Hail Hits a Solar Panel?
When hail strikes a solar panel, several types of damage can occur. Some are obvious. Others are hidden but just as serious.
1. Surface Glass Cracking
This is the most visible type of damage. Cracks may appear as:
- Spiderweb patterns
- Starburst impacts
- Long linear cracks
Even small cracks reduce energy production and often require panel replacement.
2. Microcracks in the Solar Cells
These are invisible without special diagnostic tools.
Microcracks can cause:
- Hot spots
- Production decline
- Internal electrical damage
- Long-term degradation
Microcracks spread over time due to thermal expansion—something Texas heat accelerates.
3. Damage to Panel Frames
A bent or dented frame can:
- Affect mounting stability
- Lead to panel shifting
- Allow moisture to enter
Storm-force winds often push hail sideways, hitting panel frames with unusual force.
4. Cell Delamination
Hail can cause the layers inside the panel to separate, creating cloudy patches or moisture pockets.
This leads to:
- Permanent efficiency loss
- Internal corrosion
- Faster panel aging
5. Water Intrusion
If hail breaks seals or damages the backsheet, water can enter the panel or wiring.
This can cause:
- Shorts
- Inverter shutdowns
- Electrical hazards
Water intrusion is one of the most dangerous forms of hail damage.
Why Texas Hail Poses a Bigger Risk Than Most People Think
Texas doesn't just experience hail—it experiences some of the most destructive hailstorms in the U.S.
Here’s why Texas homeowners with solar need to take hail seriously:
1. Large Stone Size
Many areas in North Texas regularly see hail larger than golf balls.
2. High Wind Velocity
Wind drives hail at angles that hit panels and frames harder.
3. Fast Temperature Fluctuations
Hailstorms often come after hot days, creating thermal shock on panel surfaces.
4. Storm Frequency
DFW experiences multiple hailstorms every spring, increasing cumulative stress on panels.
Even if your panels survive one storm, repeated exposure can lead to long-term issues.
Warning Signs of Hail Damage on Solar Panels
After a hailstorm, homeowners should check for the following signs—not by climbing onto the roof, but by visually inspecting from the ground and reviewing system data.
Visible Signs:
- Cracks or chips on panel glass
- Cloudy spots or moisture under the glass
- Bent or dented panel frames
- Loose or crooked panels
- Damaged wiring or conduit visible from below
- Dislodged junction boxes
Performance Signs:
- Sudden drop in solar production
- String-level faults
- Inverter error codes
- Monitoring system showing panel-level shutdowns
- Increased temperature reading on affected panels
If any of these signs appear, call for professional diagnostics immediately.
The Hidden Roof Problems After Hailstorms
One of the biggest misconceptions is that hail only affects the panels themselves. In reality, the roof beneath the panels often receives more damage than exposed areas of the roof.
Why?
Because the space beneath the solar panels traps hail bounce, granules, and debris. Hailstorms commonly cause:
- Bruised shingles
- Cracked underlayment
- Granule buildup below the array
- Water pooling beneath panels
- Hidden leaks
Most homeowners don’t know these issues exist until roof repairs become unavoidable.
This is where solar technicians play a major role. During post-storm inspections, they spot roof problems that even roofers can’t see without removing the panels.
When You Should File an Insurance Claim
Here’s the rule of thumb for Texas homeowners with solar panels:
If your area received hail larger than 1 inch, get your system inspected.
Even if you don’t see visible damage, hidden issues may justify a claim.
You should consider filing a claim if:
- There is any visible damage
- Your system shows reduced production
- The inverter displays new error codes
- Roofers recommend a full roof replacement
- Granules are collecting near downspouts
- Your neighbors are filing claims
Never file a claim without a professional inspection—insurance companies often request a detailed solar report.
Why a Solar Detach & Reset Is Required for Roof Replacement After Hail
If hail damages your roof, you’ll likely need a full replacement. But solar panels cannot simply stay on the roof during this process.
A Solar Detach & Reset (D&R) is required to:
- Safely remove panels
- Protect wiring and connectors
- Disconnect all electrical components
- Ensure roofers can access the entire roof
- Reinstall the system with code-compliant materials
- Identify hail-related panel or wiring damage
- Restore production after roof work
This is why roofing companies throughout Texas depend on Sunaura Solar for professional solar removal and reinstalls.
Letting a roofer or handyman move panels can cause:
- Electrical hazards
- Damaged wiring
- Failed inverters
- Fire risks
- Voided warranties
Only trained solar technicians should perform a D&R.
How to Protect Your Solar System During Hail Season
While you can’t prevent hailstorms, you can protect your solar investment with smart habits and regular maintenance.
1. Get your system inspected before storm season
Spring maintenance catches:
- Loose wiring
- Aging conduit
- Weak seals
- Misaligned panels
- Developing microcracks
2. Keep panels clean
Dirty panels develop hot spots that make hail impact worse.
3. Monitor your system closely
Production drops often reveal hail damage before the eye can see it.
4. Address roof issues early
Weakened shingles make hail damage spread faster beneath the array.
5. Schedule post-storm diagnostics
Every time your home is hit by hail larger than 1 inch, get a professional evaluation.
Exposed damage is easy to see—but hidden damage is what causes the most long-term issues.
What Professional Hail Damage Diagnostics Include
A complete post-hail inspection from Sunaura Solar includes:
- Panel surface examination
- Internal cell hotspot testing
- Wiring integrity check
- Microcrack detection
- Conduit evaluation
- Mounting hardware check
- Junction box inspection
- Inverter performance analysis
- Roof condition assessment near mounts
- Production loss comparison
- Moisture detection under panels
This ensures nothing gets overlooked during an insurance claim or repair.
