As South Africa experiences increasingly severe weather, homeowners and businesses investing in solar power are being urged to pay closer attention to the durability and certification of their solar panels. In particular, recognised international hail-resistance and environmental protection ratings are becoming critical as hailstorms grow more intense across parts of the country.
Hail has long been a feature of summer rainfall in Gauteng and regions of northeastern South Africa. However, local insurers are reporting a noticeable rise in claims linked to storm-related damage, reflecting a broader trend toward more extreme weather events. According to Santam Specialist Solutions, hailstorms caused significant losses to agricultural producers in 2025, highlighting the escalating financial impact of these events.
Hanjo Fourie, Agri Corp Head of Underwriting at Santam Specialist Solutions, noted that both the frequency and severity of hailstorms have increased over the past three to five decades. While long-term data remains incomplete, available evidence points to more extreme rainfall, stronger winds, and increasingly damaging hail events across the country.
Even in regions where the number of hail days may have declined, Fourie explained that individual storms are becoming more intense, with a higher likelihood of larger hailstones. This trend is partly driven by human-induced climate change, which increases low-level atmospheric moisture and convective instability. These conditions provide more energy for the powerful updrafts needed to form large hailstones. At the same time, rising freezing levels mean smaller hailstones often melt before reaching the ground, leaving a greater proportion of larger, more destructive stones.
Like other exposed infrastructure, solar panels are vulnerable to hail damage. Impact damage can reduce power output, increase electrical resistance, and shorten the operational lifespan of a system. Cracked glass or microfractures may also compromise panel safety and long-term performance if not detected early.
Most solar panels from established Tier 1 manufacturers—including Canadian Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, and Trina Solar—are designed to withstand moderate hail impacts. Their products undergo standardised testing to assess durability under harsh environmental conditions.
How Hail Resistance Is Tested
Hail damage on a solar panel
The most widely recognised benchmark for solar panel durability is the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC 61215 standard. This certification includes a comprehensive range of tests covering thermal cycling, damp heat, humidity-freeze exposure, mechanical loading, electrical faults, and hail resistance.
To pass the IEC 61215 hail test, a solar module must withstand 11 impacts from ice balls measuring 25 mm in diameter, fired at speeds of approximately 83 km/h at specified locations on the panel. After testing, the module’s power degradation must remain within defined limits—typically no more than 5 percent—and the panel must continue to prevent water ingress to maintain electrical safety.
In addition to this standard, organisations such as VDE Americas and the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) have introduced more advanced testing methods designed to simulate real-world hailstorm conditions. The Hail Resiliency Curve test progressively exposes panels to increasing hailstone sizes and impact speeds until glass failure occurs, helping to identify a module’s true breaking point.
Reducing the Risk of Hail Damage
While modern solar panels are rigorously tested, system owners can take additional steps to reduce the risk of hail-related damage. Buyers should carefully review product specification sheets to confirm hail resistance ratings and compliance with recognised standards.
Some manufacturers offer reinforced solar panels with higher hail protection ratings, often achieved through the use of dual tempered-glass layers instead of a single glass sheet. These designs provide added impact resistance and are increasingly popular in hail-prone regions.
For installations with safe and easy roof access, temporary protective covers—either hard shells or thick padded covers—can be used during severe hailstorms. After major weather events, panels should be inspected for visible damage, cracks, or performance changes. These inspections can be combined with routine maintenance to ensure optimal system performance.
Regular cleaning helps maximise energy production, while removing leaves, branches, and debris beneath panels reduces fire risk and improves airflow. Finally, system owners are advised to review their insurance policies to ensure their solar installations meet all required protection standards. Verifying compliance upfront can help prevent disputes or rejected claims following storm-related damage.
