Overview

VDE Americas uses naturally occurring hail return interval data to inform engineered probable maximum loss (PML) and average annual loss (AAL) estimates for utility-scale solar farms to inform site selection, product procurement, hail mitigation strategies, and insurance pricing and terms. These financial loss exposure data serve a know-before-you-go purpose, informing equipment selection and insurance cost estimates during early-stage project development. 

This set of geospatial data quantifies financial risk exposure based on project location and fielded technologies, including PV module front glass thickness. Our financial risk exposure data includes 1-in-500 year probable maximum loss (PML), average annual loss (AAL), and extreme downside loss estimates across tracker tilt angles ranging from 0° to 75°, both facing into and out of the prevailing wind direction. These financial loss estimates account for differences in module hail resilience or vulnerability based on glass thickness (e.g., 3.2 mm vs. 2.0 mm vs. First Solar) and glass strengthening (e.g., fully tempered glass vs. heat-strengthened glass). 

According to insurance industry reports, hail accounts for less than 2% of solar project insurance claims by volume—but more than 50% of total dollar losses. Though some project locations will inevitably experience severe hail events, stakeholders can prevent or limit catastrophic hail damages with improved due diligence, technical literacy, and risk mitigation. These financial loss data empower project stakeholders to mitigate hail risk through physical defenses against damage avia appropriate equipment selection and operation.