Solar Panel All Risks Insurance

The cost of Solar Panel Insurance depends on several factors, including:

1. Insured value of your installation
2. Materials / components used
3. Location-specific risks
4. Damage history
5. Desired coverage options and policy limits
6. (Fire) safety measures
7. Use and maintenance
8. Manufacturer’s warranties

The premium is paid annually and does not include policy fees and insurance tax.

In addition to a Solar Panel All Risks Insurance, it is wise to take out the following insurances for optimal coverage:

Business Liability Insurance
Protects against third-party damage claims resulting from incidents with your Energy Storage System.

Environmental Damage Insurance
Reimburses costs for environmental damage caused by your energy storage system.

Consult our insurance advisors for tailored advice and the right coverage for your specific situation.

Our information request form makes it easy. By completing the form you provide us with all the essential information about your PV installation such as:

• The number, brand, and type of your solar panels and inverters.
• The installation date of your solar system.
• The total value of your solar PV-installation.
• The location of your solar energy system.
• Your personal information for a customized policy.
• All relevant documentation of your solar installation.

• Consult with Your Insurer
  Before installing solar panels on a bitumen roof with flammable insulation materials, it is crucial to contact your insurer. Inform them about the specific composition of your roof, the planned installation work, and the measures you’re taking to reduce the risks. This helps prevent problems with your insurance and possible exclusions.

• Roof Inspection
  Have a professional roof inspection carried out to assess whether your roof is suitable for solar panels. The expert will check if the roof has sufficient load-bearing capacity and whether structural reinforcements are necessary. If required, the inspection can indicate whether a roof replacement or renovation is needed.

• Roof Renovation
  For older roofs or roofs with flammable insulation materials such as EPS, PUR, or PIR, it is advisable to consider a roof renovation. Replace flammable insulation materials with non-flammable alternatives, such as mineral wool, to significantly reduce the fire risk and increase the safety of your property.

• Professional Installation
  Ensure that solar panels are installed only by a certified and experienced installer. Make sure the installer complies with your insurer’s conditions and has demonstrable experience with installing solar panels on roofs with flammable insulation materials. A professional installation minimizes risks such as fire and leaks.

• Risk-Reducing Measures
  To increase the fire safety of your installation, consider using the following risk-reducing measures:

• • AllShield Roof Coating
    This non-combustible coating limits the spread of fire by preventing ignition of the roofing material and insulation. It reduces the amount of fuel available for the fire, causing it to extinguish itself before becoming uncontrollable. With the AllShield roof coating, the flammable roofing under the solar panels is effectively protected from fire.

• • ArcBox
    This is a protective housing for DC connectors, specially designed to minimize the risk of fire caused by electrical arcing. When a DC connector is placed inside the housing, it ensures that, in the event of an arc, the arc is safely contained. This keeps any potential fire limited to the housing, preventing it from spreading to nearby flammable materials. This significantly reduces risks, especially for installations on flammable roofs and critical locations such as hospitals, schools, and factories, where the consequences of fire can be severe.

• Scope 12 Inspection
  Have a Scope 12 inspection carried out by a certified inspector. This inspection checks the correct installation of your solar panels and connectors. By complying with this inspection, you meet the requirements of your insurer and ensure a safe installation.

• Maintenance
  After installation, it is important to have regular maintenance performed. This ensures that the installation remains in optimal condition and potential risks, such as faulty components or wear and tear, are detected in time.

Are you considering installing solar panels on the roof of your commercial property? We offer two essential whitepapers specifically designed for property owners considering solar panel installations. 

Discover how to ensure the fire safety of your installation, which materials and installation techniques help reduce fire risks, and which preventive measures you can take to minimize the chances of damage.

Download one or both free whitepapers now and gain instant access to valuable tips and advice. Click the name of the whitepaper you wish to receive, fill in your email address, and receive the whitepapers directly in your inbox:

Whitepaper: A Fire-Safe Business – Ensuring Fire-Safe PV Installations on Roofs

Some insurers impose stricter requirements for installing solar panels on certain types of roofs or refuse to cover them altogether. This is often due to the increased risk of fire, collapse, and other structural damage associated with solar panel installations.

Here are some key considerations:

• Fire Safety
  Roofs with flammable insulation materials, such as EPS (expanded polystyrene), PUR (polyurethane), and PIR (polyisocyanurate), pose a higher fire risk. Additionally, improperly installed solar panels or connectors can cause short circuits, increasing the risk of fire or electrical arcing. When flammable insulation catches fire, the chance of rapid fire spread is significantly higher, often leading to a total loss of the building. This increased risk makes insurers cautious when providing coverage for buildings with such roof constructions.

• Roof Structure
  The strength of the roof structure is a crucial factor in installing solar panels. Not all roofs are designed to bear the additional weight of both the solar panels and their mounting systems. For older or less sturdy roofs, this can lead to sagging or even collapse. Beyond the weight of the installation itself, extra loads from heavy rainfall or snow can further increase pressure on the roof. Due to this increased risk, insurers often require a load-bearing capacity calculation before approving coverage for a building with a solar panel installation. They want to ensure that the roof structure can safely carry the total weight.

• Asbestos-Containing Roofs
  Installing solar panels on a roof containing asbestos is not permitted. Installing solar panels requires drilling into the roof to securely attach them, ensuring they withstand wind and storms. Drilling into an asbestos-containing roof can release asbestos dust, which is harmful to health. Therefore, solar panel installation on an asbestos roof is not allowed. It’s important to have the asbestos removed by a specialist before installing solar panels.

• Thatched Roofs
  Solar panels on thatched roofs present a significant fire hazard because thatch is highly flammable. Moreover, the placement of solar panels can disrupt roof ventilation, increasing the risk of heat buildup or spontaneous combustion. As a result, insurers are often reluctant to approve solar panels on this type of roof.

Conclusion
Insurers’ concerns about solar panels on certain roofs mainly stem from increased fire and safety risks. Ensure you’re always aware of your insurer’s conditions and take appropriate fire and safety precautions to prevent problems.

Want to have a conversation about the risks of your building? Get in touch with us!

A solar panel all risks insurance policy is often categorized under Operational All Risk (OAR) insurance by many insurers. An OAR insurance covers both material damage to the solar panel installation and the potential loss of production that may occur as a result of such damage.

Additionally, some insurers include a solar power installation under a Machinery Breakdown Insurance, often supplemented with a Machinery Breakdown Business Interruption Insurance. This combination also provides coverage for both material damage and production loss.

In all cases, it is advisable to carefully review the policy terms to fully understand the coverage and to ensure that the insurance best suits your specific situation.

Yes, a Scope 12 inspection is mandatory for commercial solar panel installations. This inspection is essential to ensure that your solar panel installation meets the required safety standards, which in turn guarantees your insurer’s coverage. Find out more!

Inherent Defect Coverage offers is an extension of the warranty of your solar panels and/or inverters by compensating consequential damage not covered by the manufacturer in the event of a valid warranty claim.

Additionally, this coverage serves as a safety net in the event of manufacturer bankruptcy. If an inherent defect occurs and the manufacturer is no longer able to honor the warranty, both the defective product and any resulting damage will be covered.

Read more about Inherent Defect Coverage.

1. Note the date and time of the damage.
2. Report the damage as soon as possible.
3. Take measures to limit further damage.
4. Keep receipts of the costs for any measures taken.
5. Do not discard damaged parts until they have been released by the insurer.
6. Take clear photos of the damage.

Learn more about reporting damage!

1. Gather information: Ensure you have all the necessary information about your installation.
2. Contact us: Call us or use our contact form.
3. Risk Assessment: Schedule an intake conversation to map out your risks and needs.
4. Arrange a quote: We compare quotes from different insurers.
5. Make a choice: Choose the best quote and take out your policy.
6. Policy: Receive your policy.

The insurance is determined by:

1. Type and value of the installation
2. Location and associated geographical risks
3. Claim history
4. Desired coverage options and policy limits
5. Security measures