How should solar power plants prepare for the growing frequency of extreme weather events

As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the push for renewable energy sources, like solar power, has never been stronger. Solar energy plays a crucial role in the transition to clean energy, offering a nearly limitless supply. However, climate change also brings more frequent and intense extreme weather events, which can severely impact solar installations, especially through destructive winds and hailstorms.

This paradox highlights the rapidly increasing importance of enhancing the resilience of solar infrastructure. By leveraging advanced weather intelligence, solar operators can better understand and mitigate the risks posed by severe weather, ensuring long-term sustainability and efficiency.

Rise of extreme weather events

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide. Solar power plants, even in regions previously unaffected by severe storms, are now facing new challenges. In 2021 alone, the U.S. experienced 20 weather disasters, each causing at least $1 billion in damages, and similar patterns are being seen globally. Solar panels are designed to withstand harsh conditions, but two weather phenomena—high winds and hail—pose significant risks:

• High winds from hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorm supercells can damage solar panels and their supporting structures by causing uplift, debris impacts, and structural twisting.
• Although less frequent, hailstorms can cause catastrophic damage, from visible surface damage to internal microcracking, reducing panel efficiency and increasing the risk of failure.

To avoid future losses, the solar industry must invest in resilience.

Financial impact of extreme weather on solar power plants

Extreme weather doesn't just cause physical damage—it also leads to significant financial losses. Since 2015, insured losses from extreme weather have doubled compared to those from natural catastrophes. For instance, a hailstorm in West Texas damaged 400,000 PV modules, resulting in the largest solar insurance claim to date.

Hail's impact on the solar industry is particularly notable, accounting for just 1.4% of claims but 54% of incurred costs. This financial burden has led to capped hail insurance coverage, forcing operators to seek multiple policies to cover their risks adequately.

Despite the clear need, many organizations fail to invest in greater resilience due to high upfront costs, misaligned incentives, or a lack of information.

Building resilience with advanced weather intelligence

While weather-related hazards are inevitable, catastrophic losses are not. Weather monitoring and forecasting technologies help solar operators, builders, and insurers better understand and mitigate these risks.

Solar power plants rely on three pillars of weather intelligence:

• Historical data
• On-site observations
• Advanced forecasting

Using evidence-based weather data and advanced forecasting, operators can implement timely protective measures, improve design decisions, and optimize insurance coverage. For example, some solar tracking systems adjust panel angles to reduce hail and wind damage. A study showed that stowing panels at a 60° angle could prevent up to 90% of hail damage with adequate warning.

Detailed weather data also allows insurers to assess risks more accurately, potentially leading to better coverage options and innovative insurance models.

Weather intelligence in action

RayGen’s solar power plant in Carwarp, Australia, is a prime example of weather intelligence in action. Using Vaisala’s WindCube, a lidar-based wind measurement system with real-time 3D wind maps up to more than 10 kilometers around the solar power plant, RayGen can anticipate the approach of damaging winds and hence stow its heliostat mirrors in time to prevent damage.

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This system provides real-time wind data, allowing operators to make informed decisions that protect equipment and reduce costly repairs.

RayGen’s success demonstrates the potential of advanced weather intelligence to significantly enhance solar plant resilience.

The path forward: Integrating weather intelligence for greater resilience

The future of solar power lies in a "virtuous circle" of weather data:

• High-quality on-site observations feed into weather forecasting models.
• Forecasting models produce more accurate local forecasts.
• Improved forecasts and real-time, on-site data enhance decision-making.
• Over time, this growing weather information database further refines forecasting models and strengthens our understanding of local weather patterns.

As severe weather becomes more frequent, the solar industry must adapt by embracing comprehensive weather intelligence at every stage of a plant's life cycle. By doing so, operators can boost resilience, optimize performance, and protect their investments for the long term.