Solar panels are the most reliable, safe, and environmentally friendly to producing electricity.
The only thing raising a concern is the realization that your system fails to produce the amount of power that is being anticipated. There are different reasons why your solar panels do not work at their best, and in the next blog, we are going to explain some of the reasons for low energy production and how to recognize and solve this problem.
- Inspection of Shading
It’s not difficult to think of one of the most obvious reasons why many will grumble about there not being enough sunlight that hits the panels. A very slight shadow, howsoever minuscule on a single panel, may reflect strongly against an entire system’s output.
Steps to check shading
Pay attention to where the sun stands: In the first step, ensure nothing casts a shadow that would darken sunlight to fall on your solar panels.
Track shading throughout the day: Shading can change with time of day or season so it is essential to watch your panels at different times
Look for debris: Leaves, dirt, or bird droppings may fall on your panel and cause partial shading.
Solution:
Trim overhanging branches: Prune trees or plants near your solar panels frequently.
Clear debris: Keep your panels clean from leaves, bird droppings, and dirt that may cause shading.
- Cleaning Your Solar Panels
Dust, dirt, bird droppings, or pollen can accumulate on your solar panels and decrease the efficiency of how much sunlight your panels can absorb to produce energy, thus cutting down on your energy production. Some dust can be washed off by rain, but a more intensive cleaning might be required in dry or dusty regions.
How to Clean
Soft cloth or sponge: clean the panels using water and gentle dish soap, avoiding abrasive material that might leave scratches on it.
Rinse with water: use the hose to clear dirt and debris with a stream of water not too powerful since it might destroy the panels.
Timing it right: Clean your panels during early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays are not so intense .
Solution:
Regular cleaning: Clean your solar panels every few months, or even more frequently if you are from a place with a high dust, pollen, or bird activity.
Professional cleaning: If you do not feel confident in cleaning the panels yourself, consider hiring a professional solar panel cleaning service.
- Damage
Damage, which may include cracks or water entrance, may lower the efficiency of your system. Your physical damage on your solar panels, wiring, or inverters may plummet your energy output to a drastic level.
Checking for Damage:
Trot around your panels and check them for visible damage such as cracks, discoloration, etc.
Check your wiring. Check if your connection is good and not frayed or corroded.
Check the inverter: Inverters, literally, are the brains of your solar system; they convert the energy from your panels into usable electricity. If this is faulty, it can result in reduced output.
Solution:
Call a professional: If you find any damage, call a certified technician to inspect and repair the system.
Routine Check: Even though you might feel that nothing happens wrong, schedule annual professional checkup that can help in discovering the possible malfunctions.
- Check Faulty Inverters
The most important component of your solar system is the inverter. Maybe your solar panels are producing energy, but it is not getting converted into electricity because the inverter has broken down. An inverter might break due to age or overheating and power surge.
Check the inverter:
Indicator lights: Inverters have lights that usually indicate the working status. Most the inverters will present a green light if all is okay; red or orange lights may represent an error message.
Error codes: Modern inverters have adopted error codes. Error codes have enabled numerous trace the problem for their inverters.
Solution
Reset the inverter: Simple problems may get solved by restarting the inverter.
Professional service: If above step does not work, let your installer or technician to come and inspect and fix or replace the inverter.
- Check the weather
These panels are based upon the power, which is to be generated based on the solar rays. Its performance will have a direct result from the aspects of the climate. Days, such as on rainy or on cloudy days at times may provoke temporary fluctuation in the aspects of energy. Still, if this type is for a limited period, nothing much to bother about.
Check for :
Monitor the short-term weather: If the weather remains cloudy for several days or weeks, your output is obviously going to be lower than it would have been.
Check if there is some snow or ice buildup: In cold climates, there might be a snow or ice buildup on your panels blocking sunlight from reaching the panels .
Solution
Wait for better weather: In this case, simply wait for clearer skies to improve performance.
Clear snow and ice: If there is any snow or ice that has collected on your panels, sweep off the snow gently using a soft bristle broom or hire a service professional to do so safely.
- System Misconfigurations or Software Issues
Misconfiguration of your system’s settings may cause a low power output. This problem may be usual, especially when dealing with a new solar system that relies mainly on monitoring software or apps about the energy it produces.
Checking Procedure
You should check on the monitoring app or software on your solar system: There is probably a report stating issues or anomalies of the system.
Analyze the performance of this month against historical values: Compare the months or years before and see whether it indicates a great fall in power production.
Solution:
Check the system settings: Whether your system is well configured or something has changed in the settings that might be influencing its output.
Software updates: Update your monitoring software. There could be some bugs or bugs that are affecting the performance of tracking.
- Age of Your System
Just like any technology, solar panels have an age. Most panels tend to last 25 to 30 years, though they may not perform as well as they used to in their prime. If your system has reached the end of its expected life span, it will naturally produce lesser power.
How to Check
Look at the warranty: Check your panels’ warranty for information on their expected lifespan and performance degradation.
Track long-term output: For panels that are many years old, a slight decline in the power output would be expected over time.
Solution:
Replace your panels: Since your panels have aged and start to produce lower energy, change them to the newer, high-efficiency panel.
Extend the life of your system: Maintenance and care will ensure that the panels last as long as possible.
- Contact Your Installer or a Professional Technician
If you have followed the checklist and still experience low energy production, it is now time to call your installer or a professional technician. A qualified expert can conduct a thorough inspection and pinpoint any underlying issues that you might have missed.
When to Call a Professional:
Low output that persists: When the problem still persists even after you have attempted to troubleshoot.
Complex technical problems: In case you think that there is a serious fault with the electrical parts of your system.
Warranty claims: In case you need to file a warranty claim, a technician will help you prepare the document and repair it.
