Microburst destroys three solar plants in São Luiz Gonzaga, Brazil
2024Published 31 Oct 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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What happened
A storm with strong winds and hail caused the collapse of two sheds housing three solar photovoltaic plants in São Luiz Gonzaga, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. According to data supplied by the system integrator when the solar insurance claim was made, the winds twisted the steel framing and threw the modules, which were bent and embedded in trees. Brazil's Civil Defence classified the event as a microburst, a downdraught of air separated from a storm cloud that reaches the ground with great force, sometimes accompanied by hail.
Each of the three plants was insured under an equipment all-risks policy and received a payment of R$ 90,000, totalling R$ 270,000. The claim was reported to the insurer on 18 June 2024 and payment was confirmed on 27 July 2024. The source is a promotional article published alongside the insurer, and it does not give the date of the storm.
Contributing factors
The source states that the wind twisted all the steel framing of the sheds and that the modules were displaced. It does not state the design wind rating of the structures, whether they met any standard, or how the modules were fixed. The mounting type is not stated.
Lessons learned
- Structures that house or support PV arrays should be designed and inspected against local extreme wind and microburst loads, and the design basis should be documented.
- Operators should confirm that equipment insurance covers windstorm and hail damage, and understand the claim process and timeline before an event occurs.
- Keep current records of plant layout, equipment identification and pre-event condition so that damage can be assessed and claims settled quickly.
More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, weather and external hazards, spacing, layout and fire spread, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-10-31. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
