Renew Risk unveils first-of-its-kind model to tackle storm risk to US solar farms
Dr Joshua Macabuag, CEO at Renew Risk
6 May 2026 - Renew Risk, the leading provider of risk analytics for renewable energy assets, today launched its US SCS Model; the first catastrophe model purpose-built specifically to model severe convective storms for solar farms in the United States. The model provides insurers, reinsurers and brokers with a step-change in their ability to understand and price solar risk.
Recent years have seen multi-million-dollar losses at US solar farms from severe storms, with hail accounting for just 6% of loss incidents but 73% of financial losses1.
A key determent of loss severity is the engineering characteristics of a solar farm. In spring 2024, a severe hailstorm destroyed thousands of panels at Fighting Jays Solar Farm in Texas, causing extensive damage to the 35 MW site. Just 15km away, two solar farms equipped with weather tracking systems that automatically adjust panels to a vertical stow position ahead of storms sustained no direct hail-related damages. A third nearby site experiences only minimal damage due to a motor issue in its hail mitigation system2.
Renew Risk's new model supports insurers and reinsurers with resilience planning across their renewable portfolios, through an asset-first approach to modelling storm risk to solar farms.
“Historically, risk management has focused on rarer but catastrophic events such as hurricanes and earthquakes. However, high-frequency, highly localised severe convective storms are now the primary loss driver in the US, accounting for 51% of natural catastrophe related losses in 2025 – totalling $46bn. For the solar market, traditional models fail to capture how this complex peril interacts with varied engineering systems. Our next generation US Solar Model gives our clients the competitive edge to grow their portfolios profitably and with confidence.”
At a time when insurers are under pressure to deploy capacity with greater confidence, the model incorporates:
Detailed insights into asset value distribution, total insured value and business interruption calculations, powered by Renew Risk’s leading Industry Exposure Database and updated monthly.
A machine-learning approach to storm-scale modelling, addressing the lack of historical claims data in the remote locations solar farms are typically sited. Developed in partnership with AI-powered firm Vāyuh’s advanced physics-AI modelling engine.
Integrated modelling of hail, tornadoes and straight-line wind to capture the interconnected dynamics of severe convective storms.
Asset-level parameters including glass thickness, stow angle and system reliability, enabling a highly granular and customisable view of risk.
“By taking an asset-first approach to model development and partnering with best-in-class organisations, we have developed a technically robust, highly asset-specific view of SCS risk that captures the unique risk drivers of utility scale solar farms.”
The launch forms part of a broader product expansion strategy, following the recent release of windstorm models for offshore wind farms along the UK, Ireland and Europe’s coastlines. Thes new offerings build on Renew Risk’s established portfolio of existing models addressing offshore wind risk across other global markets, including Taiwan, Japan, and the US.
Founded in 2021, Renew Risk has rapidly established itself as a specialist in renewable risk analytics, raising £4.7 million in seed funding at a £16 million valuation. The company’s agile approach enables it to develop new catastrophe models in around nine months, significantly faster than traditional providers, whose timelines often exceed three years. The models have been developed and validated in collaboration with early market adopters, ensuring they reflect real-world underwriting and risk management needs.
Renew Risk works with leading insurers and market participants, supporting underwriting and risk management across global renewable portfolios.
By improving risk transparency and enabling more accurate pricing, Renew Risk aims to unlock insurance capacity, accelerate renewable infrastructure deployment, and support global decarbonisation goals.
Interested in learning more about our new US Solar Model? Get in touch to request a demo
Our US Solar Model represent the latest additions to our existing suite of industry-leading natural catastrophe risk models. Check out our full product portfolio to learn how we’re helping manage the risks of earthquakes, tropical cyclones and windstorms to offshore wind farms across Europe, Taiwan, Japan and the US.
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![A comprehensive view of windstorm risk to offshore wind farms around the UK.]()
UK Windstorm Model
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![Europe Windstorm Model]()
Europe Windstorm Model
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![Access specialist risk intelligence for offshore wind farms located around earthquake-prone Japan.]()
Japan Earthquake Model
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![Japan Typhoon Model]()
Japan Typhoon Model
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![Taiwan Earthquake Model]()
Taiwan Earthquake Model
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![Taiwan Typhoon Model]()
Taiwan Typhoon Model
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![US Hurricane Model]()
US Hurricane Model
About Renew Risk
Renew Risk is the leading risk management provider for renewables. Combining scientific expertise with an asset-first approach, we provide unparalleled depth to renewable energy risk intelligence to deliver the insights the market needs to understand, quantify and manage the risks to the assets in their portfolio at pace. Together with our clients and industry-leading partners, Renew Risk is building resilience into the energy transition.