Stray bullets damage solar systems in Rio; integrator documents incidents

Two solar systems operating in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, were hit by gunfire, according to a local integrator. The incidents occurred in different neighborhoods and for different clients, raising concerns about the safety of solar installations in urban areas.

The first episode was identified last Friday (27), in the Colégio neighborhood, in North Zone of the capital of Rio de Janeiro. The customer, who had found the integrator through Google searches, had a system that was over seven years old and had never performed preventative maintenance.

"During the roof inspection, we identified a panel with a bullet hole. We removed the module to prevent further generation losses. We can't pinpoint exactly when the shot occurred," reported Daniel de Assis, owner of DLN Solar. 

The second case was reported this week in the Itanhangá neighborhood, in the West Zone (video below). The system had been installed less than a year ago. "Unfortunately, we don't know exactly when it happened, but there is a risk of fire and compromised installation safety when this type of damage occurs," the integrator noted.

According to him, both incidents were documented in images, and clients have already received technical guidance on the risks. He emphasizes that damage caused by external impacts to solar panels, in addition to compromising energy generation, can cause short circuits and, in extreme cases, fires.

The integrator also constructively recommends that more insurers expand the coverage offered for solar systems. Just as there are already packages that cover windstorms, hail, and lightning strikes, he suggests that impacts from gunshots should also be included in insurance plans—especially in Rio de Janeiro—ensuring greater security for consumers and companies in the sector.

Does insurance usually cover damage from stray bullets?

In an interview with Canal SolarMauro Filho, founder and CEO of Elétron Seguros, a Brazilian company specializing in insurance for the solar energy market, explains that coverage for damage caused by gunshots can vary from one insurer to another — some offer this type of protection, others do not.

However, he emphasizes a point he considers even more relevant in this discussion: that every policy has a minimum deductible, which currently starts at R$500,00. For this reason, he believes that the ideal scenario should be for the integrator to activate the insurance only in more severe situations, where the event could jeopardize the client's financial stability. 

"It doesn't make sense to use insurance to replace just one module, but rather for more serious cases, such as strong winds, which historically cause widespread damage to systems," he points out.  

The professional further concludes: "When just one module breaks—whether due to a stray bullet or other cause—it doesn't impact the customer's financial balance. Especially since, with the current cost of equipment, the replacement will most likely be below the deductible," he emphasized. 

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