If the BK doesn't come up on a google search, there is no other way to find a BK that would be cheaper than PACER. If the person has a common name, that will obviously be a problem. But, if you know in which jurisdiction they filed, you should be able to find the case and won't incur $10.00 worth of charges. It really won't be that expensive.
Hail larger than 1 inch in diameter (golf ball- or baseball-sized hail) can cause considerable damage to panels, although hail of this size also generally causes damage to most structures. To protect your solar panels, a solar panel protective cover is recommended during the times when hail is expected.
Batteries will not charge properly if the solar panel is in the shade, they rely on the energy of the sun to charge. There is another simple test you can do before replacing the solar light rechargeable batteries. Place your solar lights under direct sunshine for a day or two and see what happens. If, after this duration, the illumination time is back to normal, it means that the solar panel was not getting enough light from the sun.