PV insurance for farms: lightning, power surges, operator liability
Whether on a livestock shed roof or as a ground-mounted system, for many farms the PV system is a fixed part of their income. To make sure a thunderstorm does not leave a hole in your earnings, it needs the right cover.
Key points at a glance
- Surges (overvoltage), often caused by lightning, are the most common type of damage to PV systems.
- Surge protection for your PV system is inexpensive, and many insurers require it.
- A good policy combines property cover, loss of income and operator liability.
- Rooftop and ground-mounted systems carry different risks. Check what suits your system.
Why PV systems on farms need special protection
Agricultural PV systems are usually larger than private rooftop systems. They sit on livestock sheds, machinery sheds and barns, or stand at the edge of a field as ground-mounted systems. This leaves them more exposed to wind and weather, and they are often far from the farmhouse and harder to keep an eye on.
At the same time, real money depends on them. If the system fails, you lose the feed-in tariff or your own electricity for milking equipment, cooling and ventilation. That is why PV insurance for farms should cover three things: damage to the system itself, loss of income until it is repaired, and your liability as the operator.
The five most common types of damage to PV systems
According to Debeka, these are the most common causes of damage to photovoltaic systems:
- 01
Surges & short circuits
Often triggered by lightning, sometimes resulting in fire.
- 02
Severe weather
Storm and hail damage to modules and mounting frames.
- 03
Theft
Of modules or the inverter.
- 04
Animal bites
To cables, for example by martens.
- 05
Snow load
Too much weight on the modules and substructure.
On farms, there are additional typical risks: dust and ammonia in the air of livestock sheds, rodents in barns and machinery sheds, and heavy traffic from large machinery around ground-mounted sites.
Lightning protection and surge protection for your PV system
The most expensive damage is rarely caused by a direct strike. Lightning usually strikes nearby: a tree, an overhead power line or a neighbouring building. The surge then travels along the cables into the system and destroys sensitive electronics, above all the inverter.
Without protection, the surge travels along the cable into the inverter – the most expensive part to be damaged.
External lightning protection
Air terminals and down conductors carry a direct strike safely into the ground. For large rooftop systems on livestock buildings and for ground-mounted systems, lightning protection for the PV system is often advisable. If the building already has a lightning protection system, the PV system usually has to be properly integrated into it by a specialist.
Surge protection for your PV system
Surge protection devices (SPDs) on the DC and AC sides protect the inverter, the modules and the rest of the electronics on the farm. Surge protection for your PV system costs little compared with the system itself, and many insurers require it for full cover.
Tip from the field
Have a specialist contractor check your lightning and surge protection and document the result. The report will help you if you need to make a claim.
What PV insurance needs to include
A good policy for agricultural PV systems consists of three parts that work together:
Property damage (all risks)
Damage to modules, inverter, cabling and substructure caused by surges, storm, hail, theft, animal bites, snow load or operating errors. Ideally on a new-for-old basis.
Loss of income
Replaces the lost feed-in tariff or the extra cost of grid electricity while the system is out of action after an insured loss.
PV operator liability
If a module comes loose in a storm and damages a car or injures someone, you are liable as the operator. Check whether your farm liability insurance includes the system. This often only applies up to a certain size.
Rooftop or ground-mounted: what to bear in mind
Both types of system need the same components, but the focus differs:
| Feature | Rooftop system | Ground-mounted system |
|---|---|---|
| Typical risks | Fire in the building, snow load, storm | Theft, vandalism, damage from wild animals, hail |
| Special considerations | Align your buildings insurance and PV policy | Include fencing, surveillance and access roads in the cover |
| Loss of income | Cover self-consumption and feed-in | Cover feed-in and direct marketing |
| Liability | Falling parts, fire spreading to neighbouring buildings | People and grazing animals on the site |
Comparing PV insurance: what matters
There is more to comparing PV insurance than the premium. These points should be in your policy. Tick off the ones it already includes:
0 of 8 points covered
Strong: your policy covers all the key points.
Conclusion
A PV system on a farm is an investment that should pay off over many years. Lightning and surges are the biggest risks. Technically, you can limit them effectively with lightning and surge protection; financially, with the right PV insurance. Look for all-risks cover, loss of income cover and operator liability that matches the size of your system.
Solar PV
Insure the PV system on your farm: lightning, storm, lost income.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PV system covered by my buildings insurance?
Partly. Some buildings insurance policies cover permanently installed rooftop systems against fire, storm and hail. However, surges, theft, animal bites and loss of income are often not included. For agricultural systems, dedicated PV insurance is usually the safer option.
Do I need surge protection for my PV system?
Yes, it is strongly recommended. Surges are the most common cause of damage to PV systems. Surge protection on the DC and AC sides mainly protects the inverter, and many insurers require it.
How much does PV insurance for farms cost?
The premium depends on the system's capacity and replacement value (new-for-old), its location, the excess and the components you choose. With the FARMRISK calculator, you can see in a few steps what suits your farm.
Is operator liability insurance for PV systems compulsory?
It is not required by law. However, grid operators, landowners and lending banks often require it, and without it you are liable as the operator with your own assets.