Photovoltaic insurance: How to protect your system from major damage!

Photovoltaic insurance: How to protect your system from major damage!

Investing in photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a common way to generate sustainable energy in recent years. This investment usually pays for itself over years or even decades, which is why damage to these systems before amortization can be financially burdensome for the owners. Such systems cost up to 10,000 euros and more, which makes protection through appropriate insurance essential. Loud Inside Digital PV systems can be insured for as little as 35 euros per month, but separate photovoltaic insurance policies cost between 65 and 107 euros annually.

Even though there is no obligation to have insurance, it is important to protect yourself against possible damage. Damage from natural disasters such as hail and storms can cause significant costs, which have doubled in recent years, with 1,850 million euros in 2022. Floods represent another risk that can particularly endanger inverters and electricity storage systems.

Comparison of insurance offers

Stiftung Warentest analyzed 95 photovoltaic insurance policies, including 57 that offer the minimum protection it considers necessary. The insurance policies tested can be divided into 22 extra policies, 67 additional modules in residential building insurance and 6 integrated components. Recommended additional modules cost from around 35 euros and offer extensive protection, but additional protection against theft and loss of income often has to be insured separately. Purchasing separate policies is particularly advisable for operators of solar systems in order to protect against damage caused by operating errors or design defects.

Owners of PV systems are also obliged to inform their private liability insurance about the ownership of their system, as they are liable for damage caused by their solar panels. Repairs can quickly run into four figures, increasing the risk for owners. Damage caused by storms or impending dangers caused by falling solar panels can thus be protected preventively.

Additional information about insurance

In detail it becomes clear that government-recommended insurance covers basic risks such as lightning, fire, storms and hail, while special photovoltaic insurance also covers loss of yield. Such reimbursements are based on the daily energy output of the last 12 months and can amount to up to 2.50 euros per kWp. However, ground-mounted systems and solar thermal systems are not covered in these policies. Anyone looking for comprehensive insurance should therefore combine them cleverly: residential building insurance with full coverage, suitable additional modules or independent photovoltaic policies could represent the best solution.

Overall, it can be seen that with the growing number of photovoltaic systems, the range of insurance options has also increased. Since 2017, the range of PV insurance has doubled, giving consumers more options to optimize their protection. It is worth comparing the tariff landscape and taking individual needs into account when choosing photovoltaic insurance.