A Tree Fell on Your Solar Panels.
Here's What to Do First.

First, understand the hidden danger

Here is what most homeowners do not know: a solar panel makes electricity any time light hits it — even when it is shattered. A cracked panel with a tree lying across it is still generating DC voltage, and that voltage is present in the wiring whether or not the system is switched "on."

That is why a broken array is a safety problem before it is a repair problem. Downed or damaged solar wiring should be treated exactly like a downed power line: assume it is live, and keep your distance.

• Do not climb onto the roof to inspect the damage yourself
• Do not touch or try to move the panels, the racking, or any wiring
• Do not let a tree-removal crew cut the tree off the array before the system is de-energized — chainsaws and live DC wiring are a dangerous combination

The right order of operations

1. Document everything before anything moves

Your insurance claim will lean heavily on photos. Before a tree service, a neighbor, or a storm cleanup crew touches anything, photograph the scene thoroughly from the ground:

• Wide shots showing the tree or branch on the array
• Close-ups of cracked glass, bent racking, and torn wiring (zoom with your camera, don't climb)
• Any damage to the roof itself around the array
• Interior damage if water is getting in

If cleanup has to happen for safety before you can document it, take whatever photos you safely can and note the time — an adjuster understands emergencies.

2. Shut the system down if you can do it safely

If you can reach your AC disconnect (usually a labeled switch near your main electrical panel or meter) without going near the damaged array, switch it off. This does not make the panels themselves safe — they still produce voltage in daylight — but it isolates the system from your home's wiring. If reaching the disconnect means going near the damage, skip this and leave it to the professional.

3. Call a certified solar contractor for an emergency assessment

This is the step that protects both your safety and your claim. A NABCEP-certified, licensed contractor can:

• Safely de-energize and secure the array so tree removal can proceed
• Assess exactly which panels, optimizers, and racking are damaged
• Check whether roof penetrations are now leaking
• Produce the itemized damage report and replacement estimate your adjuster needs

4. Open your insurance claim

Call your homeowner's insurer and open a claim. Give them the basics and let them know a professional assessment is being done — you don't need every answer before you call.

Does insurance actually cover this?

In most cases, yes. Rooftop solar panels are generally treated as part of your home under a standard homeowner's policy, which means damage from a fallen tree, wind, or storm is typically a covered peril — the same way the roof itself would be covered.

What determines whether your claim goes smoothly is documentation. Adjusters need three things:

• Proof of the event — your photos of the tree or storm damage
• A professional damage assessment — what's broken and why it needs replacing
• An itemized estimate — removal, replacement panels and parts, reinstallation, and recommissioning, line by line

What the repair usually involves

Once the system is secured and the claim is moving, the actual work typically follows this path:

• Full removal of damaged and undamaged panels in the affected area
• Roof inspection and repair if penetrations were compromised (often coordinated with a roofer)
• Replacement of broken panels, damaged optimizers or microinverters, and bent racking
• Reinstallation with new mounting hardware and fresh flashing
• Recommissioning — bringing the system back online and confirming it produces to spec, with a written report for your records and your claim

Matching replacement panels matters here. Solar technology changes fast, and a panel from a few years ago may no longer be made. A good contractor will find a compatible module or advise you when a partial re-string is the smarter fix.

What not to do

• Don't let a general handyman or tree crew "just pull the panels off." That's how people get hurt and claims get complicated.
• Don't throw away broken panels or parts until your adjuster has signed off — they may be needed as evidence.
• Don't wait to document. Memory fades and cleanup happens fast; the photo you take today is worth more than the estimate you get next week.
• Don't assume it's totaled. Often only a few panels are destroyed and the rest of the system is fine.

Common questions

Are the panels still dangerous if the power is off?

Yes. Switching the system off isolates it from your house, but the panels themselves still generate voltage in daylight. Treat a damaged array as live until a professional has secured it.

My panels look fine but a branch hit them — should I still get them checked?

Yes. Impact can cause micro-cracks and hidden wiring or racking damage that isn't visible from the ground but shows up later as lost production or a safety issue. A quick assessment now is cheaper than a failure later.

How fast can someone come out?

For active storm damage we prioritize emergency assessments. Call and tell us it's storm-related and we'll get you scheduled as quickly as we can.

Will filing a claim raise my rates?

That's a question for your insurer or agent — it varies by policy and situation. What we can tell you is that a well-documented claim is far more likely to be approved smoothly, and we handle the solar documentation side for you.