
A successful solar portfolio isn’t just built—it’s maintained to maximize its potential. It’s never too early to start thinking proactively about the long-term performance of solar energy assets. Underperformance takes a toll on solar assets everywhere. According to solar software company Raptor Maps, equipment-related underperformance increased by almost 180% since 2019, resulting in up to potentially $4.6 billion in losses for the solar industry. Solar energy systems may be designed to operate under a range of environmental conditions, but prolonged exposure to the elements along with increasing severe weather can reduce their efficiency and lifespan.
Rain or shine, sleet or snow, weather constantly affects your solar assets. And the risks associated with it have proven to be unpredictable. In its latest Solar Risk Assessment report, kWh Analytics found large discrepancies between predicted and actual physical damage to solar projects due to increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events. Project losses from weather-related physical damage were underestimated by more than 300% in regions across the U.S. If you want to protect your renewable energy investment and safeguard your solar assets, now is the time to implement weatherization strategies.
Weatherization Best Practices for Asset Owners
- Structural Integrity Maintenance: Regularly inspect mounting structures and racking systems for signs of rust, loose bolts, or cracks that can compromise the structural integrity of your solar energy system. Check for areas of pooling water both on rooftops and mounting structures that can lead to corrosion or electrical shorts. Stowing trackers during hail, high winds, or heavy rainfall can prevent module damage.
- Sealing, Drainage, and Erosion Control: Ensure all electrical enclosures, junction boxes, and inverters are properly sealed to prevent moisture damage. Strategically optimize different stow positions based on weather conditions. For example, consider evaluating nighttime stow positions along with wind, snow and hail stow positions so that during non-critical weather events, water properly sheds. If raining during the day trackers should continue to track as normal. Regular inspections of stormwater managements systems help ensure the site is draining as intended and free of blockage.
- Heat Regulation: Excessive heat can reduce solar panel efficiency by impacting system components such as inverters and cables. Integrating cooling solutions such as passive ventilation systems, reflective coatings, or shade structures can help manage overheating. Inverters can derate if the cooling fans fail, so inverter fans may need to be replaced multiple times throughout the inverter’s useful life. Lead times on cooling fans in the summer can be long, so active monitoring and service planning is crucial.
- Wind Protection: Install barriers or wind-resistant mounting systems in areas prone to strong winds. Stowing trackers during high winds or storms to prevent structural damage. Regularly inspect mounting systems for loose components by sampling a portion of the array each year for hardware that can loosen due to vibrations/movement. Check ballasted systems and structures for signs movement that can be indicated by displaced slip sheets.
- Storm Preparedness: Develop a storm response plan that includes securing loose equipment, shutting down systems safely, and performing post-storm inspections to identify damage. In colder climates, plan ahead to keep roads and access to sites open and clear. Software that supports weather forecasting can help you stay ahead of incoming large storms.
- Wildfire Defense: Mow areas and implement weed abatement within the areas surrounding arrays. Keeping a clear fence line is important because it helps maintain the integrity of the fence by preventing damage from overgrown vegetation, which can cause rot, rust, and structural weakness. Service vehicles should also avoid entering a site if the grass is overgrown and too high.
- Monitoring and Analytics: Use real-time monitoring systems to track performance anomalies caused by weather events. Advanced analytics can help predict maintenance needs and identify areas for improvement.

Severe weather events are increasing in frequency and showing no signs of slowing down. Data from the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT) shows that the number of reported natural disaster events has quadrupled since the 1970s, exceeding 400 annually since 2020. These extreme conditions exacerbate solar asset underperformance.
Renewable energy insurance providers are also tracking potential losses. A recent report from GCube Insurance points to wildfires, windstorms, and tornadoes as the leading causes of damage to solar energy systems, comprising 80% of insurance claims. As a result, insurance premiums are increasing, and project owners are feeling the impact. Weatherization can reduce risk and enhance long-term resiliency of renewable assets. Good asset management can make or break your systems’ energy production, which ultimately makes the difference between a good and a bad investment for your organization.
ForeFront Power Asset Management
Once solar energy assets are up and running, many believe that’s the end of the project. At ForeFront Power, we view energization as only the beginning. Our experienced asset management team knows the ins and outs of operating and maintaining solar energy systems year-round. We treat your systems as if they are our own.
Ready to get the most out of your solar assets? Reach out to our asset management team to schedule a free consultation.
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