We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies.
VDE Americas has refined its proprietary Hail Risk Model, according to a report from Solar Power World Online. The update incorporates newly analyzed wind speed data to improve the accuracy of predictions for hail damage at solar power generation facilities.
Recent analysis by the company found that wind speeds during hailstorms can be stronger than earlier estimates, with speeds at some locations more than doubling. This conclusion was reached after filtering weather records to focus on events where hailstorms passed directly over weather stations. Stronger winds cause hailstones to hit solar panels more directly and with greater force, raising the risk of breakage. Integrating these wind speeds makes the model’s risk assessments more reflective of actual storm conditions.
An expert in hail meteorology noted that wind modifies the fall angle and impact energy of hail, emphasizing that loss models must account for this influence to predict field damage effectively. The improved model is said to better characterize representative wind speed and direction during hail events.
Analysis of weather radar data from 2025 indicates that severe storms with hail large enough to typically damage solar panels occurred at or near many utility-scale solar facilities. Despite the frequency of such events, reported catastrophic losses were lower in 2025 than in prior years. This reduction is potentially linked to wider adoption of hail stow protocols and severe weather alert services by project operators. Hail is described as the top catastrophic peril for the solar industry.
Data from a specialty climate insurance provider shows that hail accounts for the majority of total solar losses, despite representing a small fraction of loss events. A notable portion of these hail-related losses occurred in North Carolina, a region not traditionally viewed as high-risk for hail.
VDE Americas is launching an annual subscription service to automatically provide clients with updated hail loss reports for insurance renewal support. This service, along with other products like hail risk maps and financial loss reports, is available through a new sales portal. The company’s leadership stated that its Hail Risk Intelligence products aim to give project stakeholders accurate data to enhance asset resiliency and reduce potential financial losses, noting that wind combined with hail poses a significant threat to solar facility operations.
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
The Largest Destinations for Exports
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
North America
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Europe
IndexBox S.a r.l.
29, Boulevard Grande-Duchesse Charlotte
L-1331 Luxembourg LU
MENA Partner
Smart mission_ المهمة الذكية
Yanbouh, Qurtubah
Riyadh 13248
Saudi Arabia
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.

source