A severe thunderstorm on Saturday evening caused widespread damage to rooftop solar installations across Rajasthan, exposing significant risks for uninsured projects, questionable solar panel quality, and the absence of a regulatory framework to protect consumers.
Uninsured Systems Lead to Heavy Losses
Industry representatives highlighted that most rooftop solar systems remain uninsured, forcing owners to bear substantial financial losses. Vendors noted that without insurance, damage to rooftop systems results in permanent consumer loss. “Most rooftop solar plants are not insured. They cannot even avail the government subsidy for the second time,” said one installer, adding that annual insurance costs range between Rs 300 and Rs 600, but awareness remains low.
Quality Concerns and Mounting Practices
Reports from storm-affected areas revealed cracked and shattered panels, damaged frames, and displaced modules, suggesting poor material quality and weak mounting practices. Ajay Yadav, president of the Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan (REAR), wrote to REC Ltd’s chief manager, emphasizing that modules from reputed manufacturers failed under wind pressure. “The solar module frames were found damaged and broken. In some instances, the panels were torn and displaced or rolled due to wind pressure,” he noted.
Yadav stressed that despite complaints, distributors and manufacturers have not offered support, leaving vendors to face credibility loss and direct financial burdens for replacements. He warned that the issue is not isolated, with similar failures reported across multiple installations after recent weather events.
Estimated Damage and Calls for Action
It is estimated that nearly 200 rooftop solar systems were damaged in the storm. Calling for urgent intervention, Yadav urged authorities to review module quality standards, enforce accountability on manufacturers and distributors, and strengthen technical guidelines for wind-load resistance and durability. “Strengthening technical guidelines for wind-load resistance and durability of solar modules is the need of the hour,” he emphasized.
Need for Regulatory Framework
The incident has amplified calls for a robust regulatory framework, mandatory insurance, and stricter quality checks to protect consumers and sustain confidence in the rooftop solar push. Without such measures, the growth of renewable energy adoption could be hampered by recurring losses and safety risks.
