The Hailstorm Event
On October 31, 2024, the Sunshine Coast and nearby areas endured a severe hailstorm, causing extensive damage across the region. Suburbs such as Maroochydore, Buderim, Noosa, Coolum Beach, Caloundra, and Nambour were especially hard hit. With hailstones as large as golf balls, heavy rainfall, and intense winds, the storm led to widespread power outages and property damage.
Key Impacts:
- Property Damage: Large hailstones caused significant damage to roofs, vehicles, and outdoor equipment in areas like Maroochydore and Caloundra. The State Emergency Service (SES) responded to 55 calls for help, primarily related to structural damage.
- Power Outages: Around 10,000 customers on the Sunshine Coast, particularly in Buderim, Nambour, and Noosa, experienced power loss during the storm, with about 500 homes still without power the next day. Energex reported over 228,000 lightning strikes tied to the storm.
- Rainfall: Hinterland areas saw the heaviest rainfall, with Mapleton recording 75 millimetres, Peachester 54mm, Maleny 46mm, and Landsborough 43mm. These downpours resulted in intense storm conditions and localised flooding.
- Community Response: Residents in affected areas, especially in Coolum Beach, Noosa, and nearby hinterland suburbs, described the storm as one of the worst in decades, with “horizontal” hail reported. Emergency services worked tirelessly to restore power and assist those impacted, while the SES urged homeowners to maintain their properties—like cleaning gutters—to reduce storm-related damage.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued further warnings, reminding residents to stay prepared as storm season continues on the Sunshine Coast.
How to Protect Your Solar Panels from Hail Damage on the Sunshine Coast
With the Sunshine Coast’s unpredictable weather, sudden hailstorms can raise concerns for solar panel owners. Solar panels are designed to endure tough conditions, and all models sold in Australia must pass hail resistance tests simulating impacts from hailstones up to 25mm in diameter at speeds nearing 100km/h.
However, severe storms, like the recent hail event in Maroochydore and Buderim, can involve even larger hailstones, which may damage solar panels and affect long-term performance.
The way your solar panels point and the angle in which they face can minimise hail damage, but in case of hailstones the size of a fist, very little can be done to protect roof tiles, car windows, and solar panels.
To protect your system, consider checking your home insurance policy to ensure it covers hail damage for solar. After a hailstorm, get a solar professional like SolarWide to assess your system with monitoring software and conduct a thorough visual inspection.
“Small cracks or ‘microcracks’ may not be visible to the eye but can lead to ‘hot spots’ that lower efficiency over time. Reporting any potential damage to your home insurer soon after the event can help with future claims if these cracks worsen and cause a performance drop.”
If solar panels are damaged, replacing them quickly can prevent issues like moisture ingress that may lead to further inefficiencies. Working with a local, reliable installer like SolarWide Sunshine Coast makes repairs more accessible, especially in cases where panel models may be hard to match due to system age. For those with optimisers or microinverters, using solar panels of different wattages is also possible.
Being proactive with inspections and ensuring your insurance is up-to-date can help keep your solar system on the Sunshine Coast resilient, even against unexpected hailstorms.
Top Tips After a Hailstorm
Impact of Hail on Solar Panels
- Panel Damage: Large hailstones can cause cracks, impact dents, or shatter the glass of solar panels, even with their tempered glass construction. This damage can affect performance by:
- Energy Loss: Damaged solar panels lose efficiency in capturing sunlight, which can lower energy output.
- Hotspot Risk: Small cracks may develop into “hotspots,” which can further reduce solar panel efficiency and lifespan.
- Malfunction: Water ingress will render a solar panel inoperable after a short time, as it will shorten out.
- PV System Efficiency: Damage from hail can impact your solar system’s effectiveness:
- Reduced Output: Cracked solar cells are less effective at converting sunlight.
- Assessment Needs: Panels showing visible damage, and even those that seem fine, should be inspected by a professional to determine if microcracks have occurred and if replacements are needed.
- Solar Racking and Structural Integrity: Alongside hail, high winds can shift or loosen panel racking and clamps:
- Alignment Concerns: Misaligned panels don’t capture sunlight effectively, reducing output.
- Safety Risks: Solar panels could detach in extreme cases, creating hazards for residents.
What to Do If Your Solar Panels Are Shattered?
Inspection and Assessment
After a hailstorm, a professional inspection is essential—even if no damage is visible. Internal cracks can reduce your system’s performance over time. Professional assessments can:
- Detect Hidden Issues: Experts can spot microcracks or other damage that might go unnoticed but reduce efficiency.
- Determine Repair Needs: They can advise on repairs or replacements to get your system back to full performance.
Insurance and Warranty Coverage
Hail damage to solar panels is often covered by home insurance. Consider:
- Checking Your Policy: Review your insurance policy for hail damage coverage specifics or call the insurers to report your damage.
- Panel Warranties: Some warranties may cover damage from extreme weather, so check with your solar provider to see if you’re eligible for repair or replacement.
Are there Hail-Resistant Solar Panels?
Unfortunately, while solar panels are designed to withstand solid impacts, some very large hailstones can shatter windows, sunroofs, and solar panels. There is no completely hail-resistant solar panel on the Australian market as yet.
How We Can Help
Our team at SolarWide offers complete solar inspections, repairs, and upgrades tailored to hail-affected systems. Whether you need a quick assessment, help navigating insurance claims, or a system upgrade, we’re here to support you. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep your solar system efficient and reliable.
