Weather Events and Solar PV Systems: What to Do Before and After a Storm

Severe weather can turn a reliable solar PV system into a safety risk. After a hailstorm, flooding, or extreme heat event, many system owners are left wondering what to do next. The uncertainty is understandable: what checks are needed, what risks might develop later, and what might not be covered under warranty?

While you should always speak to your installer or maintenance partner about your specific system, the following process will help you protect your investment and reduce the chance of a weather event turning into a longer-term safety or performance issue.

Why this matters right now

Weather events are happening with greater frequency and severity across Australia. Hailstorms have occurred recently in Queensland, flooding events are widespread, and new records for extreme heat are being set regularly. That heat often brings severe storm activity in its wake.

These conditions create real risks for solar systems. Just recently, a homeowner in Newcastle had their house nearly catch fire when a $36 DC isolator switch failed and burst into flames. Water ingress from rain had found its way into the component, and when the sun came out, the system shorted and ignited. This is not an isolated incident.

The real risk: water ingress and fire

The most serious consequence of weather damage is fire. Water ingress into isolators, conduits, or junction boxes can lead to earth faults and electrical arcing. The pattern is often the same: rain penetrates a crack or seal, the sun comes out, the system heats up, and a short circuit occurs. The result can be catastrophic.

DC isolators have been a particular problem. They are no longer required under current Australian standards precisely because of fire risks, but many older systems still have them installed. If your system has rooftop DC isolators, it may be worth having them assessed or replaced with disconnection points, which are the current standard.

This is why post-event inspection is not optional. A system might appear to be operating normally, but the risk profile can change significantly after a major weather event, especially if water has entered places it should not.

What to do after a weather event

After any significant weather event, your system should be inspected. The inspection should look for visible damage but also for issues that may not be immediately apparent, particularly where water ingress is involved.

Inspect for water damage to isolators, conduits, and junction boxes. These are the areas most vulnerable to water penetration. Look for signs of moisture, corrosion, or discolouration. Even if the system is still generating power, water inside electrical components is a serious hazard.

Consider thermal scanning. Thermal imaging can identify hotspots that indicate electrical faults or damaged connections that are not visible to the naked eye. This is particularly valuable after storms or flooding.

After hail, consider electroluminescent testing. Hail can cause microcracks in solar panels that are invisible during a visual inspection but can affect both performance and safety over time. Electroluminescent testing reveals this hidden damage, helping you move from guesswork to evidence.

Commission active monitoring if you do not already have it. Monitoring allows you to track system performance and receive alerts when something goes wrong. Without it, faults can go undetected for months.

Keep in mind that proactive inspections should be happening annually regardless of weather events. A major storm is a clear signal to bring forward that inspection if one is overdue.

Shutdown procedures: what you need to know

If you believe something is wrong with your system, or if a severe weather event is forecast, you may want to shut down your system safely. There is a specific order to this process, and getting it wrong can be dangerous.

We recommend contacting your installer or maintenance partner to understand the correct shutdown procedure for your specific system. Different configurations require different approaches, and the consequences of an incorrect shutdown can include electrical shock or equipment damage.

Important: This is general guidance only. Every system is different, and you should always consult a qualified professional before attempting to isolate or shut down your solar PV system.

Warranties: what many people assume versus reality

Warranties are a common source of confusion after weather events. Many people assume that if it rains or hails, their panels are covered. In most cases, they are not.

Panel warranties typically exclude weather-related damage, including hailstorms. This matters because weather events can trigger a chain of failures. For example, if water ingress causes an earth fault, and that fault damages the inverter, the inverter damage may not be covered under warranty either. Parts start to fail, and the expectation of coverage does not match what is actually available.

This is one of the strongest reasons to take inspection and testing seriously after a weather event. Understanding the extent of any damage early allows you to make informed decisions about repairs and replacements before small issues cascade into larger, more expensive problems.

Spare panels: reducing downtime when damage occurs

If panels are damaged, being able to replace them quickly matters. Keeping spare panels on stock can significantly reduce downtime when damage occurs, especially after widespread storm events when multiple systems in the area may need repairs and parts become scarce.

This connects directly to the warranty discussion. If coverage is limited for weather events, planning for replacement becomes part of responsible system ownership. For commercial and industrial systems, the business case for keeping spares is often straightforward: the cost of lost generation during extended downtime typically exceeds the cost of holding a few replacement panels.

The documentation problem

When something goes wrong with a solar system, the first thing a maintenance team needs is documentation: single-line diagrams, panel specifications, inverter models, string configurations. Without this information, even simple repairs take far longer than they should.

The reality is that a significant number of systems have no documentation at all. Owners do not know how many panels they have, what inverter is installed, or how the system is configured. Some never received documentation from their installer. Others have lost it over time. The result is the same: when an issue arises, there is nothing to reference.

If you do not have proper documentation for your system, consider engaging a specialist to conduct an audit and compile that information. This is especially important before a weather event occurs, not after. Having accurate system records means faster response times, more accurate quotes for repairs, and better decisions about maintenance priorities.

Taking action

Weather events are unavoidable. The damage they cause to solar systems does not have to be. A proactive approach that includes regular inspections, proper documentation, active monitoring, and a clear understanding of what your warranty does and does not cover will put you in the best position to respond when severe weather strikes.

If you have experienced a recent weather event, or if your system is overdue for inspection, speak to your installer or a qualified maintenance provider. The goal is not just to address what is immediately visible, but to identify and resolve issues before they become safety hazards or costly failures.