In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague talks with Hunter Johnson, Vice President of Alliant Insurance, about the crucial role of insurance in the solar industry and how climate change is impacting the way insurance companies assess and underwrite solar projects.
The discussion covers various factors that solar installers, developers, and asset owners need to consider when insuring their projects, including geographic location, weather risks (hail, lightning, wildfires, floods), equipment quality and availability of replacement parts, and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) practices.
Hunter sheds light on the evolving underwriting process, where insurance carriers are becoming more stringent in their assessment of project sites, equipment manufacturers, vegetation management plans, and emergency response plans. He also explains how rigorous O&M programs can help asset owners reduce their insurance rates.
Additionally, Hunter delves into the trends affecting the insurance industry, such as rising rates, higher deductibles, longer waiting periods for business interruption insurance, and capacity constraints. He also touches on the role of reinsurance and the emergence of captive insurance solutions for larger installers.
Throughout the discussion, Hunter emphasizes the importance of considering climate change's impact on weather patterns and the increasing frequency of catastrophic events like hail storms, hurricanes, and wildfires, which can significantly affect the insurability and financial viability of solar projects.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights for solar professionals on navigating the complex world of insurance and mitigating risks associated with climate change to ensure the long-term success of their projects.
Social Media Handles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-johnson-pwca-48651575/
http://www.alliant.com/
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The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. CPS America has offices in California, New Jersey, and Texas. Learn more at https://www.chintpowersystems.com/
0:00 - Intro
2:54 - Hunter's Background Story
4:08 - Major Considerations for Insuring Major Solar Projects for Solar Installers
6:49 - Geographic & Weather Risks Impacting Solar Insurability
8:45 - Role of Technology to Reduce Catastrophic Weather Risk
10:16 - Pie Graph of Major Risk Factors for Solar Farms
11:31 - Importance of Rigorous O&M Plans for Insurers
13:08 - What Insurance can You Buy To protect Your Solar Farm Production
16:01 - Rising Insurance Rates & Deductibles for Solar
18:36 - Major Insurance Trends on Business Interruption Insurance Considerations
21:18 - Capacity Constraints & Reinsurance Challenges
22:10 - How Industry Manufacturers affects Solar Farm Insurance Pricing
24:39 - Creating Insurance Guides for Developers & Owners
27:50 - Residential Solar Installer Insurance Issues and Considerations
30:59 - Captive Insurance Models for Installers
33:34 - Hunter's Outlook - Hopes & Concerns for the Industry
37:12 - Wrapping Up
