Hail just hit. Is your solar okay?
Colorado is one of the most hail-prone states in the country, and solar panels are tougher than most people think — but damage isn't always visible. Here's what to check safely, and how the insurance process works if your roof took a hit too.
Safety first: every check below can be done from the ground with equipment covers in place. Never climb on your roof, open an inverter or electrical panel cover, or touch wiring — solar equipment carries lethal voltage even when the sun is down. When in doubt, just call us.
Safe checks you can do yourself
Stay off the roof — inspect from the ground
After a storm, roofs are slick and damaged shingles can give way. Walk the perimeter of your house and look up at the array from several angles, or use binoculars or a phone camera zoom. Look for shattered glass, cracks, dents in the frames, or panels knocked out of alignment. Never climb up to check.
Check your monitoring app for production changes
Hail damage often shows up as reduced production before it's visible. Compare today's output with a similar sunny day before the storm. Individual panels producing far less than their neighbors (visible in Enphase panel-level view) is a strong sign of hidden cell damage.
Photograph everything with timestamps
Take dated photos of your array from the ground, your monitoring data, and any hail on the ground next to a coin or tape measure for scale. Insurance claims go smoother with documentation from the day of the storm.
Call your insurance company if you see or suspect damage
Solar panels attached to your roof are typically covered under your homeowners dwelling coverage. Report the storm date, describe what you see, and ask for an adjuster inspection. Don't accept 'panels look fine from the street' — ask for production data to be considered too.
If the roof needs replacing, plan a detach and reset
Hail that damages panels usually damages the roof beneath them. If your roofer says replacement is needed, your panels must be professionally removed and reinstalled by a licensed solar contractor — insurance typically covers this as part of the claim. We coordinate directly with your roofer so the timeline stays smooth.
When to stop and call a pro
A professional inspection catches damage that a ground-level look misses. Call us if:
- You can see cracked glass, dented frames, or shifted panels from the ground
- Production dropped noticeably after the storm, even if the panels look fine
- Your insurance adjuster wants a solar contractor's damage assessment (we provide itemized reports carriers recognize)
- Your roof is being replaced and the panels need a licensed detach and reset
- Wires or components are hanging or dangling — keep clear and call immediately
Still stuck? We'll fix it.
Our licensed Colorado technicians repair every major brand — even systems we didn't install. Call and a real person on our Denver team picks up.