The August 2024 Calgary hailstorm caused over $2.8 billion in insured damages, making it the second most costly hailstorm in Canadian history. For homeowners with solar panels already installed, or those who had been considering solar, it raised a fair question: how do solar panels hold up against hail?
What the 2024 Calgary Hailstorm Actually Did to Solar Panels
The storm produced golf ball sized hailstones across northwest and southeast Calgary neighbourhoods. At that size and velocity, the hail caused widespread damage to roofs, vehicles, and windows. Solar panels across affected areas had mixed outcomes depending on panel quality, installation angle, and where the storm was most intense.
Some panels came through with no damage at all. Others sustained cracked glass or microcracks in the silicon layer beneath. In the most severe impact zones, some panels required full replacement. The variation in outcomes is largely explained by panel certification standards and installation pitch.
Can Hail Damage Solar Panels?
Yes, under the right conditions. Standard residential solar panels are tested to withstand hailstones up to 25mm in diameter falling at 23 metres per second. That covers the majority of hail events Calgary experiences each year. The 2024 storm pushed beyond that threshold in some areas, which is why damage occurred.
Panels certified to IEC 61215 or UL 61730 standards offer the best documented hail resistance. Higher rated panels with IEC 61730 Class 2 certification can handle hailstones up to 35mm. If you are installing solar in Calgary, asking your installer which certification the panels carry is a reasonable question.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on Solar Panels
Visible damage is the easy case. Cracked glass is obvious and typically means the panel needs replacing. The more common concern after a significant hail event is microcracks in the silicon cells beneath the glass. These are not visible to the naked eye but show up as reduced output over time or as hotspots detectable through thermal imaging.
If your panels were in the path of the 2024 storm and you have not had them inspected, a post-storm check is worth doing. We can identify output drops through your inverter monitoring app without needing to get on the roof. A professional inspection is recommended if the monitoring data looks off.
Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage to Solar Panels?
In most cases yes. Solar panels are typically covered under your home insurance policy as part of the structure, the same way your roof is covered. The key detail is whether your policy specifies replacement value or actual cash value, which affects the payout if panels need replacing.
After the 2024 storm, many Calgary homeowners found their panels were covered but faced delays due to the volume of claims. If you have not yet filed for damage from that event, contact your insurer directly. Document any visible damage with photos before any repair work is started.
One important note: if your roof sustained hail damage requiring replacement and your panels need to come off first, the panel removal and reinstallation cost is typically not covered by the roofing claim. That cost sits with you unless your solar warranty or insurer covers it specifically. This is worth clarifying with your insurer before authorising any roof replacement work.
Panel Angle and Hail Resistance
Installation pitch affects how hail impacts the panel surface. Panels installed at steeper angles take a more glancing blow from falling hail, which reduces impact force significantly compared to a panel lying nearly flat. Calgary roofs with pitches between 30 and 45 degrees are actually well positioned from a hail resistance standpoint, which is also the optimal angle for solar production in this latitude.
Are Solar Panels Still Worth Installing in Calgary Given the Hail Risk?
Yes. The hail risk in Calgary is real but manageable. Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory puts the probability of hail causing significant damage to a solar installation at around 0.1%. Calgary averages five hailstorms per year, but the vast majority produce hailstones well within what certified panels are rated to handle.
The 2024 storm was an outlier. Panels installed with quality certified equipment on a properly pitched Calgary roof will handle the overwhelming majority of what Alberta weather produces. Insurance provides the backstop for the rare event they do not.
What to Do If Your Panels Were Damaged
- Check your inverter monitoring app for output drops compared to pre-storm production
- Document any visible damage with photos
- Contact your home insurer to understand your coverage before authorising any work
- Book a professional inspection to assess for microcracks and internal damage
- If roof replacement is also required, clarify panel removal costs with your insurer before the roofer starts
We inspect and assess solar systems across Calgary following severe weather events. If you are unsure whether your system sustained damage in the 2024 storm or any subsequent hail event, call us at 403 774 7460.
Considering Solar After the 2024 Storm?
The storm has not slowed solar interest in Calgary. If anything, homeowners replacing roofs and reassessing their property are using the opportunity to add solar at the same time. If your roof is being replaced following hail damage, that is an ideal window to install solar immediately after, avoiding a second round of permits and ENMAX coordination costs.
Learn more about our solar installation process or visit our post on whether to replace your roof before going solar for guidance on sequencing both projects. We have been installing solar in Calgary since 2013, with 300+ five star Google reviews and membership in Solar Alberta and CanREA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hail damage solar panels?
Yes, in severe storms. Standard certified panels withstand hailstones up to 25mm. The 2024 Calgary storm exceeded that threshold in some areas, causing damage to panels that were otherwise functioning normally.
Does home insurance cover hail damage to solar panels?
Most home insurance policies cover solar panels as part of the structure. Review your policy for replacement value versus actual cash value, and document damage before any repair work begins.
How do I know if my panels were damaged if there are no visible cracks?
Check your inverter monitoring app for output drops compared to pre-storm production levels. Microcracks that are not visible can be identified through a professional thermal inspection.
What panel certification offers the best hail resistance?
IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 certified panels offer documented hail resistance. We specify certified equipment on every installation.
Should I wait until after hail season to install solar?
No. Certified panels installed at the correct pitch handle the vast majority of Calgary hail events. Insurance covers the rare event they do not. Delaying installation means delayed savings.
Do you serve areas outside Calgary?
Yes. We install and inspect solar systems in Cochrane, Okotoks, and Chestermere in addition to Calgary.
