Solar Panel Not Working? How to Diagnose & Fix Common Issues

Solar panels are designed to last for years to come, and so are other solar components, including inverters. Like any other technology, solar systems can also malfunction or underperform in certain conditions or due to various issues.

Are your solar panels not working properly? Is your inverter giving a warning light on its display? There must be a technical issue with your system while producing and delivering the desired amount of power. Troubleshooting basic issues is something that every homeowner should be aware of.

If you are searching for how to perform solar panel troubleshooting, you have come to the right place. This article not only talks about the common solar panel performance issues but also presents troubleshooting tips. Let's dive deeper into the discussion.

Essential Safety Precautions You Should Never Take for Granted

Before you start the troubleshooting task, it is crucial to ensure your personal safety. Below is a list of a few things to keep in mind while troubleshooting solar systems.

• Wear protective gear, such as non-slip shoes, goggles, a helmet, safety gloves, and other similar equipment.
• Always use insulated tools while working with electrical wires.
• Ensure to turn off the solar system before starting troubleshooting.
• Never touch exposed terminals and live wires, especially with your naked hands.
• If you are not confident enough to troubleshoot a specific issue, do not do it yourself. Instead, call a licensed professional to handle the task.

Following the above tips will help you troubleshoot your solar panel system safely.

Common Issues in Solar Systems & Effective Troubleshooting

Let's find out different issues associated with various solar system components.

1. Solar Panel Problems

Solar panels are one of the most important components of your solar system. They may experience a variety of issues, including physical damage, corrosion, loose connections, and dust buildup. Let's look at the potential symptoms and possible solutions of each solar panel issue.

i) Physical Damage

• Symptoms:Burned spots, cracks, visible fractures, and anything unusual you notice on the panels physically.
• Solution:Solar panels can't bear high pressure; therefore, avoid placing heavy objects on them. Moreover, avoid stepping up directly on the panels, as they may not bear your body weight. Replace the damaged solar panel as a priority.

ii) Corrosion or Loose Connections

• Symptoms:Sudden performance drops or irregular power output of the panels.
• Solution:Check if the terminals are corroded. If so, use the terminal grease or apply terminal cleaning solution to remove the corrosion immediately. If you notice loose wire connections, don't forget to tighten them on the spot.

iii) Shading, Debris, Dirt

Symptoms: Reduced electricity production during peak sunlight hours.

Solution: Inspect for overgrown tree branches or plants. If you find them, trim them immediately. Look for bird droppings, debris, dust, dirt, and tree leaves covering your panels' surface. Use a soft cloth and lukewarm water to clean solar panels.

2. Inverter Issues

An inverter is also the key component of your solar system. It is used to convert DC power into AC energy to run your home appliances. Since solar panels produce DC power, which can't power your AC appliances. Therefore, you need to convert it into AC electricity using a solar inverter.

i) Unusual Noise or Overheating

Symptoms: Hot casing or a loud noise coming out of your inverter.

Solution: Ensure the inverter's dust filters are clean. Plus, install it in a cool and well-ventilated space. Clean filters and proper ventilation will help the inverter return to its original state.

ii) No Output Power

Symptoms: When the inverter does not produce power at the output, its screen goes blank with nothing to display on it.

Solution: Resetting the inverter may help you resolve this matter. If not, check AC/DC disconnects and breakers.

iii) Warning Lights / Error Messages

Symptoms: Fault codes or red warning lights on the inverter's display

Solution: Review the user manual to find a quick solution to this issue. Alternatively, contact the customer support center for detailed assistance.

Now that you know how to do solar inverter troubleshooting, let's go ahead and look at more issues and their effective solutions.

3. Battery Storage Problems

Solar batteries help you store excess energy. If they are not stored in a proper place, you may experience several issues. Some of them are given below.

i) Corrosion on Terminals

Symptoms: Intermittent, loose, or poor connection

Solution: Clean the battery terminals using water and baking soda. Plus, tighten all the connections correctly.

ii) Battery Not Charging

Symptoms: Zero stored power or low battery voltage.

Solution: Check your panels' output and the solar charge controller. Additionally, check the battery's voltage using a digital multimeter.

iii) Quick Battery Discharge

Symptoms: A shorter backup power duration

Solution: Look for phantom drains. Reduce loads connected to batteries. Check the battery's health with the multimeter.

4. Monitoring Issues & Data Errors

Many solar system installer companies provide you with performance monitoring apps or tools to see how your system performs over time. If they don't provide you with such apps, you can easily arrange your own. There can be multiple issues while tracking your solar system's performance.

i) No Data Displayed

Symptoms: Offline application or dashboard

Solution: First, check your internet connection. If it is active, updating the firmware may resolve this problem. If the issue persists, restart the monitoring device.

ii) Inaccurate Readings

Symptoms: The data displayed on the monitoring application does not match the actual output.

Solution: Recalibrate sensors. If it does not work, update the software.

How to Diagnose Performance Issues Quickly?

You are now familiar with the most common issues associated with solar power systems and how to troubleshoot them. Let's get into the details of how you can diagnose the performance issues of your solar systems. Below is a list of a few things to perform.

• Check the voltage from batteries and panels using a multimeter.
• Use a performance monitoring app or software to identify anomalies and trends.
• Make it a habit of reviewing daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports.
• Draw a comparison between the actual performance and the expected electricity generation (considering bad atmospheric conditions).

When to Call a Professional?

When troubleshooting involves electrical safety risks or the problem is beyond your scope, you should immediately call a professional solar technician. Some issues where you may need help from a licensed technician are outlined below.

• If you notice smoke or a strong smell coming out of the inverter or any other component of your solar system, contact the concerned professional.
• When your system consistently produces low power output, only a professional can help you get out of this trouble.
• If there is an issue of code violation or grid compliance, you won't be able to handle this concern alone. Therefore, look no further than calling a trained professional.
• When you see burned wires, don't touch them with your naked hands. Instead, call a professional and have the issue resolved in a timely manner.
• If there are firmware errors or an inverter replacement is required, it is the right time to call a trained solar technician.

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Actionable Tips for Preventive Maintenance

Following the tips below will help you maintain your solar power system very well.

• Clean your solar panels regularly (at least twice a year). If you live in an area where dust often covers your panels, you may need more extensive cleaning.
• Keep performance monitoring apps and firmware up to date.
• Hire a certified technician for annual inspections to identify and fix potential issues.
• Maintain a log of service history and performance parameters.
• Check the batteries' health and cycle them regularly.

Final Words

Solar panel troubleshooting not only saves you money and time but also enhances performance in the long run. If you understand the common issues and learn how to fix them on time, you can easily maximize your Return on Investment (ROI) and extend the solar system's lifespan. This is what most homeowners dream of.

If your solar panels are not working properly, you can perform basic troubleshooting. If the issue is out of your scope, don't hesitate to call a professional licensed technician for worthy assistance. Read the discussion above to better understand when you should call a trained technician.

FAQs

Why is my solar panel not working properly?

There could be multiple reasons behind this issue, such as wiring issues, inverter problems, shading, dirt buildup, and physical damage. Regular inspection can help you identify and fix these issues in a timely manner.

Can I troubleshoot my solar panel system on my own?

Yes, you can troubleshoot for basic issues only, such as monitoring the system's performance and checking the panels' cleanliness. If there are any physical damages or electrical faults, call a professional instead of trying to do it yourself, as it can be a highly risky task.

How often should I inspect my solar system for problems?

You can do visual inspections every 1-2 months to identify potential issues. Additionally, a detailed annual inspection may help you find and fix deeper issues with the solar panels and the entire system.