kWh Analytics, climate insurance provider, collaborated with Nextracker, a solar tracker manufacturer, that resulted in a 50% reduction in severe convective storm deductible for a solar project in Arkansas. This partnership demonstrates how strategic technology implementation can improve insurance terms while enhancing risk mitigation for renewable energy assets.
The collaboration was initiated when traditional carriers became unwilling to cover a municipal solar developer’s hail risk, a growing challenge for solar assets in severe weather regions. kWh Analytics, recognizing that the project employed Nextracker’s solar tracking systems, developed an insurance structure with hail limits with low deductibles contingent on the implementation of Nextracker NX Horizon Hail Pro automated stow technology.
“This collaboration with Nextracker exemplifies how data-driven underwriting can incentivize resilience measures and benefit all stakeholders,” said Jason Kaminsky, CEO of kWh Analytics. “By quantifying the risk reduction from advanced technologies like automated hail stow, we’re able to offer significantly improved insurance terms.”
The NX Horizon tracker system features core technology that enables stowing without relying on grid power. The Nextracker asset management team collaborated with the municipal utility to upgrade existing tracker systems to include Hail Pro control system hardware and firmware, implementing automatic stow capability. These enhancements included integrating DTN hail forecasting service and Nextracker’s tailored hail stow thresholds, which trigger automatic stowing based on hail size, proximity to the site and likelihood of impact.
“As extreme weather events become more frequent, having the ability to actively mitigate hail risk is becoming essential for solar asset owners and insurers,” said Andrew Griffiths, VP of asset management, Nextracker. “Our Hail Pro technology is delivering measurable value by keeping critical infrastructure operating in the field, and in this case, contributing to lower insurance deductibles. This collaboration proves that smarter tracker design and advanced software can strengthen asset resilience and improve project economics.”
News item from kWh Analytics
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