Colorado's Front Range sits in the heart of "Hail Alley." So before putting glass panels on the roof, homeowners understandably ask: can solar panels take a hailstorm?
Panels are tested for hail
Modern solar panels use tempered glass and are tested to industry standards that include impact from hail-sized ice at highway speeds. In practice, panels routinely survive storms that damage the surrounding shingles — the tempered glass and aluminum frame are tougher than most roofing material.
That said, no product is hail-proof. Very large hail (the kind that totals cars) can crack panels, which is why insurance matters.
How insurance treats solar panels
- Rooftop solar is typically covered by homeowners insurance as part of the dwelling, just like the roof itself. Confirm with your insurer and make sure your coverage limit reflects the system's value.
- After a storm, document everything. Photos from the ground, monitoring data showing any production drop, and a professional inspection all support a claim.
- If the roof needs replacement, your panels will need to be professionally removed and reinstalled — a detach and reset. We provide insurance-ready estimates for exactly this situation.
What to do after a hailstorm
Most hail events leave solar systems untouched. From the ground, look for cracked glass or dented frames, and check your monitoring app for production changes. We've written a step-by-step guide: solar panels after a hailstorm. If anything looks off, don't get on the roof — have it inspected.
Hail is also why panel warranties matter
When comparing installers, look at the equipment warranty and who stands behind it locally. Seed Solar installs panels with 25-year manufacturer warranties and backs our work with a 15-year workmanship warranty — and because we're local, we're still here when a storm rolls through. Our repairs and support team also services systems we didn't install.