Solar Panels and Hail

Can hail damage solar panels?

Solar panels are engineered to withstand hail: IEC 61215 testing fires 25mm (1 inch) ice balls at 80km/h at panels — they must show zero damage. UK hailstones rarely exceed 10-15mm. In the UK, hail damage to solar panels is extremely rare — fewer than 0.1% of installations report any hail-related issues. The tempered glass covering (3.2mm thick) is the same type used in car windscreens. Even in severe UK hailstorms, panels survive without damage. Your home insurance covers accidental damage including hail — but you're unlikely to ever need it for your panels.