# Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) 4. Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) - [What smoke alarms does Queensland require?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/queensland-smoke-alarm-requirements/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) Stay on the ground, photograph the damage from a safe distance, note what your app shows, tell your insurer, then have a licensed installer inspect the system. By Casey Midgley, Arlite Energy 6 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Is a hail or storm damaged solar panel dangerous? 2. What can I safely do straight after a storm? 3. What to record before you make the calls 4. Do I need to tell my insurer? 5. Can hail damage my panels without me seeing it? 6. What will a licensed installer do? 7. What if the power is still on and everything seems to work? 8. Who is responsible for the network side? 9. Frequently asked questions Stay on the ground and keep away from damaged panels, because they can still produce electricity in daylight. Photograph the damage from a safe distance, note anything your app or inverter display shows, and contact your insurer. Then book a licensed installer or electrician to inspect the system before anyone relies on it. ## Is a hail or storm damaged solar panel dangerous? It can be. Solar panels make electricity whenever light reaches them, even when the power is out and even if the glass is cracked. Damage can also expose wiring or let water into places it should not be. You often cannot tell from the ground whether a panel is safe. - **Cracked or shattered glass.** Panels can still be live. Broken glass can also fall, so keep people and pets clear of the area below. - **Loose or shifted panels.** Wind and hail can move panels or the cabling behind them. Leave them alone. - **Wet conditions.** Water and electricity are a poor mix. Stay away from any equipment that looks wet or flooded. - **Debris.** Branches or roofing pieces can rest on or against panels. Do not try to remove them. If you are planning ahead rather than dealing with damage, our article on [whether to turn off solar before a cyclone, flood or storm](https://arlite.co/support/solar/shut-down-solar-before-storm/) covers what to think about before the weather arrives. This article is about what to do after. ## What can I safely do straight after a storm? Look, photograph, write things down and make phone calls. That is all. Anything that involves touching, opening or climbing is a job for a licensed professional. - **Look from the ground.** Check the roof from the yard or street, from where you can see it clearly. - **Photograph what you see.** Take wide photos of the roof and close photos of any visible cracks, using your phone zoom. - **Check your app or display.** Screenshot your monitoring app, or photograph the inverter display or lights without touching anything. - **Keep others away.** Tell everyone in the household not to go near the panels or the inverter. Our article on [solar inverter red lights and errors](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-inverter-red-light-fault/) explains what the lights on a display can mean. If the power is out across your street, [solar during a blackout](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) explains why your system behaves the way it does. Danger signs: leave the area and call 000 If you see or smell smoke, see sparks or flames, notice a burning smell from the inverter, switchboard or roof, or feel a tingle or shock from anything, leave the building and call 000. Do not go back inside to check. Never climb onto the roof, and never touch, open or move panels, wiring or the inverter. For other electrical emergencies, see our article on [what to do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/). ## What to record before you make the calls 1. Photos of the roof — Take wide and close photos from the ground. Include the date, and photograph any hail stones or debris on the ground if you can do so safely. 2. What the app or display shows — Screenshot your monitoring app. Photograph the inverter display or lights from where you can see them, and write down any error text exactly as shown. 3. Output before and after — Screenshot your app history from before the storm and from after it, so you can show what changed. 4. System details — Find your installation paperwork, the panel and inverter brand names, and the name of your installer if you know it. 5. Other damage — Note any damaged gutters, skylights, roof sheets or cars. This helps your insurer see the full picture. ## Do I need to tell my insurer? Usually yes, and it is worth doing early. Hail and storm damage is often handled under home insurance, but policies differ. Read your own policy or call your insurer to ask what is covered, what evidence they want and whether they need a report from a licensed installer or electrician. Your photos and app screenshots will help. Please do not arrange repairs or removal before you have spoken to your insurer, unless a licensed professional tells you something is unsafe. - **Home insurance.** This is the usual starting point for storm damage to panels on your roof. - **Product warranties.** These cover a different thing, such as faults in manufacturing. Storm damage is often treated separately, so check the wording. - **Renters and body corporate.** If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager. If you live in a unit or townhouse, the body corporate may be responsible for the roof, so ask who holds the insurance. Our article on [whether unlicensed electrical work voids home insurance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/diy-electrical-work-insurance/) explains why using a licensed professional matters for your cover. ## Can hail damage my panels without me seeing it? Yes. Hail can cause tiny cracks in solar cells that are hard to see from the ground, and damage to wiring or connections that you cannot see at all. A panel that looks fine may not perform as it should, and that can show up as lower output in your app or a change in your bill. So even if the roof looks untouched, it is sensible to have a licensed installer check the system after a severe hail event, especially if your app shows lower generation or an error. ## What will a licensed installer do? A licensed installer or electrician can inspect the panels, inverter, wiring and connections, work out what is damaged, and tell you what is safe to keep using. They can also provide the findings you may need for an insurance claim. Arlite’s team does [solar fault finding](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/fault-finding/) for systems that have stopped performing. We test the panels, inverter, wiring and connections to find the cause, explain it, and repair it with our own licensed team. We can look after existing systems we did not install. ## What if the power is still on and everything seems to work? A working system is not the same as an undamaged one. If you can see damage, or you are unsure, treat the system with caution and keep people away from the roof and equipment until a licensed professional has looked at it. Do not try to test it yourself. ## Who is responsible for the network side? In South East Queensland, Energex runs the local power network. If power lines are down, or there is damage to the network outside your property, that is a matter for the network provider and emergency services, not your installer. For a fallen line, stay well away and call 000. Talk to the Arlite team Worried about storm or hail damage to your solar system? Call **(07) 3062 9299** or use the [Arlite contact page](https://arlite.co/contact/) and the team will get back to you. You can also book an in-home, no cost consult. Have your photos and app screenshots ready. ## Frequently asked questions - No. Panels can still produce electricity in daylight even when cracked or when the power is out. Stay on the ground, keep others away and call a licensed installer or electrician. - No. Roofs are dangerous after a storm, and damaged panels may still be live. Look from the ground, photograph what you can see and leave the inspection to a licensed professional. - It depends on your policy. Many home policies cover storm and hail damage, but the details differ. Check your policy or call your insurer, and keep photos and app screenshots as evidence. - Yes. Hail can cause tiny cracks in cells or damage wiring that you cannot see from the ground. Lower output in your app or a change in your bills can be a sign, so have the system checked. - Yes. Arlite diagnoses and repairs existing solar systems, including ones it did not install. Call (07) 3062 9299 or use the contact page to ask about a visit. [Learn about Fault Finding](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/fault-finding/) Related services: [Solar Cleaning](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-cleaning/), [Solar Batteries](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-batteries/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) - [Clean Energy Council](https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [SolarShould I turn off my solar before a cyclone, flood or storm?Energex has published shutdown guidance for cyclones; follow it with your installer's advice, never go on the roof, and get storm damage inspected.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/shut-down-solar-before-storm/) - [SolarWhy is my solar inverter showing a red light or error?A red light or error means the inverter has detected a condition; note the code and call a licensed installer, and do not open the unit.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-inverter-red-light-fault/) - [SolarDo solar panels work during a blackout?Most grid-connected solar shuts down in a blackout to protect line workers, so backup power needs a battery set up for it.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Costs and financeDoes unlicensed electrical work void your home insurance?It can affect a claim, but policies differ, so check your own policy wording and keep paperwork showing a licensed electrician did the work.](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/diy-electrical-work-insurance/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Is a hail or storm damaged solar panel dangerous? 2. What can I safely do straight after a storm? 3. What to record before you make the calls 4. Do I need to tell my insurer? 5. Can hail damage my panels without me seeing it? 6. What will a licensed installer do? 7. What if the power is still on and everything seems to work? 8. Who is responsible for the network side? 9. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).