In recent years, the southern region of Brazil has faced increasingly extreme weather events, such as storms, cyclones, hail and floods.
These phenomena have caused significant losses in several areas, especially in the solar energy, which causes concerns among both consumers and integrators.
Currently, the three states in the South region – Paraná (PR), Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC) – represent 85,13% of the cases of claims compensated by solar insurance through Elétron.
Of this total, 74,07% of the losses were caused by gales, hail, atmospheric microexplosions, floods and inundations.
Within this scenario, Rio Grande do Sul stands out as the state with the highest number of claims compensated, representing 55,45% of cases and totaling more than R$2,2 million in compensation paid by Miscellaneous Equipment Risk Insurance between January and July 2024.
The impact of climate change on photovoltaic systems
Although solar energy equipment is resilient and efficient, it is not prepared for weather disasters as severe as those that have occurred.
An example of this was the impact of flooding on photovoltaic systems after the tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul, already considered the biggest climate and political crisis in the state's history.
The water that reached the roofs caused metal structures, cables and solar s to be damaged or even swept away by the flood. Another item that was severely affected were the inverters that remained submerged for days.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Elétron's insurance claims indicate that most cases involved partial losses, mainly related to inverters. However, there were also cases of plants that suffered total loss.
New opportunities and adaptations in the solar energy sector
While climate change poses a major challenge for the solar sector, it also highlights the urgency of market adaptations.
Culturally, in Brazil, it is still common for many people to not recognize the importance of insurance.
Rio Grande do Sul is a good example of this situation: data from the National Confederation of Insurers (CNseg) shows that most victims of the tragedy did not have coverage. Only 30% of those affected had some type of insurance, and among them, only 10% had specific policies for flooding and inundation.
However, this perception is beginning to change, especially in light of recent extreme weather events.
This gradual shift in awareness and behavior is already visible among some consumers and solar energy professionals, who are beginning to recognize insurance as an essential rather than a luxury item.
Consequently, the increase in this demand encourages insurers to adapt to new climate realities, developing more specific coverage aligned with current needs.
Conclusion
With the intensification of extreme weather events, not only in the South region, but throughout the country, it is essential that consumers and solar energy integrators see insurance as an essential part of photovoltaic projects.
Protecting the system against potential climate damage not only safeguards the investment made, but also ensures the continuity of energy generation, which is crucial to the success of any solar project.
Therefore, awareness of the risks and the importance of adequate protection are the first steps towards addressing growing climate uncertainties.
Furthermore, by considering including solar insurance, integrators not only add value to their services, but also promote the safety and peace of mind of their customers. After all, in times of unpredictable weather, having specialized coverage makes all the difference.
The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.
