Calgary suffered through yet another huge hailstorm last weekend, with the northwest area of the city being the hardest hit this time. A supercell storm swept through the city, moving at speeds of up to 60 km/hr and dropping toonie-sized hail. Trees and branches have reportedly taken the brunt of the damage, but there have also been several reports of shredded siding and dented vehicles.
Although it was a severe weather occurrence, it did not top the August 2024 hailstorm that resulted in $3.25 billion in insured damages, making it the second most costly weather event in Canadian history.
It’s common to hear of damage to homes and vehicles after a hailstorm, but what is likely to become just as common are reports of damage to solar panels. Canadians are adopting solar technology in a big way, with more than 43,000 solar energy installations on residential, commercial and industrial rooftops nationwide, according to CanadaAction.ca.
Between 2019 and 2024, solar energy capacity nearly doubled in Canada, with many Albertans unaware that Canada’s largest solar plant is located right here in the southern area of the province. The Travers Solar Project found near Vulcan is made up of about 1.3 million solar panels and cost $700 million to build.
Solar energy is popular for its potential to lower energy bills and put free power back into the grid. They are a low-cost and environmentally friendly way to produce power and are perfect for climates with tons of sun such as Alberta’s. But while these systems convert sunlight directly into electricity, they are most commonly installed in wide-open, hail-prone regions.
As the solar industry grows, underwriters are grappling with how to properly create policies that include solar panels and their potential for being damaged due to weather. According to a June 2025 report by AXIS Global Energy, hail now accounts for 55% of all natural catastrophe and extreme weather-related insurance claims involving solar panels in Canada and the U.S.
“With the growth of solar projects comes increased exposure to extreme weather — especially hail,” says Daniel Stevens, head of engineering and global energy at AXIS. “We’ve seen the damage hail can do firsthand and understand the need for resilient technology that can adapt to changing climate risks.”
Damage in hailstorm alley
Developers are increasingly building solar farms in areas susceptible to hail, and the risks are becoming more clear. In Canada, southern and central Alberta — nicknamed “Hailstorm Alley” — are among the most hail-prone regions on the planet.
Solar farms are often located in sparsely populated areas near mountain ranges or on open plains, which are ideal for solar production but are also exposed to risk of hail damage. But while solar panels may be getting damaged, they are also providing valuable data on the scale of risk that solar panel owners face.
Not surprisingly, solar panels are vulnerable due to the fact that they are made mainly of glass. More modern designs consist of larger, lighter panels with thinner glass to cut costs and reduce weight, but this makes them more fragile. Bifacial modules, which have glass on both sides, are even more susceptible to breakage.
Hail impact can cause both visible cracks and invisible microcracks, which lower performance levels and can lead to expensive repairs. When hailstorms strike, they can damage every solar panel on a site in an instant.
Mitigating the risk
Extreme weather events are now the leading cause of solar panel insurance claims, outnumbering mechanical failures, theft, and vandalism.
However, developers and insurers are employing several strategies to reduce risk and manage losses. For example, panels made with heat-strengthened glass tend to have higher average claim amounts of around $50,000 more per megawatt of installed capacity than those using fully-tempered glass, which is more resistant to impact.
In addition, lab and modelling studies have shown that increasing the hail stow angle of panels from 60° to 75° can reduce breakage risk by nearly 50%.
Other best practices solar panel owners can employ include:
- Tracking systems can automatically tilt panels to a steep angle (the recommended 75°) when hail is forecasted, reducing the surface area exposed to impact.
- Fully-tempered glass panels are significantly more resistant to cracking than thinner or heat-strengthened glass.
- Panels that are UL 61730 or IEC 61215 are certified for hail-impact resistance and meet rigorous durability standards.
- Subscribing to professional-grade weather alert systems that provide advance warning of hailstorms, which gives you time to implement protective measures.
- For high-risk areas, consider hail guards or mesh covers designed to deflect or absorb impact without blocking sunlight.
- Checking for microcracks or mounting vulnerabilities before and after hail season to catch issues early.
- Reviewing your home insurance policy to confirm that hail damage is covered under your solar insurance plan.
Trust Lane’s Insurance for all your coverage needs
Lane’s Insurance is a leading Alberta-based insurance brokerage. We are proud to partner with progressive providers to ensure our clients have access to the most complete and up-to-date insurance products available anywhere in the province.
As a brokerage, we work for you, not the providers. When you choose Lane’s Insurance, you’re opting for a proven company with an excellent track record for customer satisfaction. Lane’s also offers outstanding claims support and expert advice that ensures all your insurance needs are met.
