Hail damage to solar panels is 80% invisible to the naked eye<\/strong> \u2014 but very real and costly in the long term.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with what you can see yourself. With hail of 3 cm or larger, the chance of visible glass damage is real. Here is what we regularly find during inspections after hailstorms:<\/p>\n For this visible damage, the procedure is clear: document, report to the insurer and replace. A drone inspection is enormously helpful here because we can photograph every panel up close without setting foot on the roof<\/strong> \u2014 including the back via low flights along the roof edge.<\/p>\n Modern solar panels have tempered glass that withstands hail up to a certain size. But \u201cno broken glass\u201d does not mean \u201cno damage\u201d. With hailstones of 2 cm or larger, microscopic cracks can form in:<\/p>\n This damage is invisible to the naked eye but immediately causes yield loss<\/strong> \u2014 and deteriorates progressively over the following months.<\/p>\n Microcracks in solar cells are not static. They expand under the thermal expansion and contraction that occurs every day as the panels heat up and cool down. A small microcrack after a hailstorm can develop within 6 to 12 months into a completely defective cell or string.<\/p>\n A thermal camera detects temperature differences of 0.05\u00b0C per pixel. A damaged cell or microcrack behaves differently from a healthy cell \u2014 it produces less electricity and converts that lost energy into heat. This makes the damage thermally visible as a hotspot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The DJI Matrice 30T<\/strong> from Droneview.be combines a 48MP visual camera with a radiometric thermal camera. In one flight above your installation \u2014 without setting foot on the roof \u2014 we deliver:<\/p>\n This is where many owners leave money on the table. An insurance claim for hail damage to solar panels without objective evidence is regularly disputed or undervalued by insurers. A professional thermal inspection report:<\/p>\n After a storm, we try to prioritise urgent requests. For hail damage inspections, we apply a response time of 24 to 72 hours<\/strong> after your request, depending on location and weather conditions.<\/p>\n You receive the inspection report within 48 hours after the flight<\/strong> \u2014 fully documented and immediately usable for your insurer or installer.<\/p>\n Droneview.be inspects your solar panels quickly, safely and without setting foot on the roof. Complete thermal inspection report for your insurer within 48h after the flight.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.droneview.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/hagel_zonnepanelen.jpg\")
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\nThe Visible Damage: Cracked Panels and Glass Damage<\/h2>\n
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.droneview.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/hagel_zonnepanelen_schade.jpg\")
<\/h2>\nWhy Hail Damage is Often Invisible<\/h2>\n
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\nWhat Hail Damage Does to Your Yield<\/h2>\n
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\n Damage type<\/th>\n Immediately visible?<\/th>\n Yield loss<\/th>\n Thermally detectable?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Broken glass<\/td>\n Yes \u2713<\/td>\n Total loss<\/td>\n Yes \u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Microcracks in cells<\/td>\n No \u2717<\/td>\n 5-30% per affected cell<\/td>\n Yes \u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Damaged encapsulant<\/td>\n No \u2717<\/td>\n Progressive, months later<\/td>\n Yes \u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hotspot from microcrack<\/td>\n No \u2717<\/td>\n Can damage neighbouring cells<\/td>\n Yes \u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Damaged wiring\/connectors<\/td>\n Sometimes \u2717<\/td>\n Complete string failure possible<\/td>\n Yes \u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nHow Thermographic Drone Inspection Detects Hail Damage<\/h2>\n
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\nWhy an Inspection Report is Essential for Your Insurance<\/h2>\n
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\n\u2014 Guy Liebert, Droneview.be<\/span><\/div>\n
\nWho is a Hail Damage Inspection Relevant For?<\/h2>\n
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\nHow Quickly Can Droneview.be Come Out?<\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 Insulation Control and Water Infiltration Detection<\/a>
\n\u2192 Rates for our Drone Inspection Services<\/a><\/div>\nHas your installation suffered hail damage?<\/h3>\n