Climate insurance provider Descartes Underwriting has partnered with Nextpower to integrate data-driven insurance solutions for solar power plants. The coverage targets risks from straight-line winds, using real-time wind speed data from project sites.
The partnership leverages Descartes’ climate scientists and natural risk modelers to assess site-specific wind conditions. This approach enables more precise underwriting for solar assets, which have traditionally been vulnerable to wind damage.
Nextpower’s project network will serve as the distribution channel for the policies. Details on premium structures or coverage limits were not disclosed in the announcement.
Wind-related losses have become a growing concern for solar operators. Straight-line winds—distinct from tornadoes—can cause catastrophic damage to panels and mounting systems. Descartes uses proprietary modeling to predict such events.
Some analysts question whether real-time data alone can fully mitigate underwriting risk, given the unpredictable nature of severe wind events. Others note that insurance costs remain a barrier for smaller independent power producers.