Staff working at a PV plant left site at the end of their workday, satisfied that everything was working correctly and that everything was operating under normal conditions. This particular PV plant was paired with a construction project, for a combined investment of $18 million USD. Approximately 2% of the country’s electricity is generated in this plant—enough to supply electricity to 80000 households annually.
Upon returning to work the following day, an on-site security guard confirmed that over 200 panels were damaged by the wind—a cost that would be found to total almost US $45000. To prevent further damage, arrays were dismantled so as to reduce any further damage.
Expert Involvement
CEERISK was called to provide adjusting services regarding the nature and extent of the damage, in addition to the quantum sustained by the project. Within days, a member of our network of local experts arrived on site to investigate the claim.
Through interviews the order of events on the night in question were ascertained. It was understood that when staff left the site, everything was operating at expected standards. Expected standards in this case means that all panels are to be left in neutral position, such that they are parallel to the ground in order to decrease wind resistance that could cause damage. When security observed and reported the damage, however, the panels were found to be at a vertical 90* angle. Our engineering experts examined the plants, taking pictures of the damage for evidence and further analysis. Experts also requested pictures and video footage from when the damage was first noted, for the sake of comparison.
In addition to photographic and video evidence, experts also requested additional information from the technical team, including manufacturer manuals, project specifications and method statements, purchase invoice and records generated during instillation (as well as other specifications and data sheets), verifications of damaged parts, and information regarding breakdown replacements. Experts went on to conduct additional research into the weather at the time of the loss.
Bridging the Gap
CEERISK experts concluded that the movement of the array of panels from their parallel, “neutral” position to a vertical, perpendicular position during heavy windstorms ultimately caused the excessive damage. This damage was sustained through three failures: impact with vertical support from underneath; panels coming loose from clamps and impacting with the ground; and damage sustained when panels were forced to move while held in place by clamps.
While the ultimate cause for this was deemed to be the wind, our experts have yet to establish why panels moved from their neutral position despite the locking mechanisms. Although this investigation is ongoing, experts have determined a few probable causes that they are further looking into.
Despite this, however, experts were able to verify that wind was the proximate cause of damage, confirming that the claim was triggered under ‘Natural Perils’ coverage. Going forward, the claim is to be settled based on replacement costs.
