Common Solar Panel Problems

Solar panels are significant investments and should last around 25 to 30 years. However, you may be wondering why your solar PV system isn’t working as efficiently as it was before…

The bad news is that there is no one direct answer to this problem. But the good news is that we’ve listed all of the most common problems you may be experiencing with solar panels.

10 Common Solar Panel Problems And Their Solutions

Diagnosing the problem with your solar panel is usually really simple, but in some cases, it may be a little more tricky.

1. Dirty solar panels

Dirty solar panels can seriously reduce the efficiency and performance of your system.

A build-up of dust, bird droppings, debris, and pollen can block sunlight from hitting the solar PV panel. In turn, the panel isn’t able to generate as much electricity as it did before.

Of course, this dip in your electricity generation can lead to higher energy bills since you’ll need to draw more energy from the grid.

It’s also important to note that having an accumulation of dirt on your panels can lead to solar panel degradation or faster wear and tear, effectively decreasing their lifespan.

Solutions

The best solution for dirty panels is to clean them regularly. Ideally, you should clean them (or hire a professional service to clean them for you) at least once or twice a year. But, if you live in an area where the dirt is likely to build up more quickly, you may need to increase this to three or four times a year.

With regular maintenance, you can keep your solar panels working perfectly all year round.

2. Malfunctioning inverters

Your inverter is an essential component of your solar power system. It’s responsible for converting the direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC), which you can use for electricity in your home.

When your inverter fails, it can lead to a pretty big disruption within your solar system and a loss of power production, higher energy costs, and even potential system damage.

Usually, inverters have a built-in safety feature that will cause solar panel systems to shut down when they detect an error. When this happens, it can lead to total power loss – leaving you and your home or business in the dark.

Solutions

Besides regular maintenance and cleaning to keep your panels working properly, there are a few other solutions you can use to fix this problem.

1. Consult the manufacturer’s guide: Most inverters display error messages when they detect a fault. If your inverter is showing an error code, consult the manufacturer’s guide to understand the root of the problem. In some cases, the fix may be as simple as resetting the system, but you may need to schedule repairs if the problem is more severe.
2. Monitoring systems: You can use solar monitoring systems to keep an eye on your inverter’s performance. These can help provide real-time data on how well the inverter is performing and alert you to potential problems much earlier.
3. Check the circuit breakers: Make sure the solar PV breaker in your consumer unit is on or facing up. If it keeps tripping to the off position, it may be time to call an engineer.
4. Check the connections: Remember to check all the electrical connections to ensure they are completely secure and aren’t damaged or corroded. Loose or damaged connections can easily cause inverter malfunctions.
5. Upgrade: If you have an older inverter or it has malfunctioned several times already, it may be time to upgrade to a newer, more reliable model. Newer models also typically come with better diagnostic features, too!
6. Use microinverters: Microinverters are typically installed on each solar panel individually and can improve your overall system. What’s great about microinverters is that they also isolate the fault compared to a traditional inverter system.

3. Shading

If you’ve noticed your system is giving a lower output than usual, it may be because of solar panel shading. Shading is when the panels are covered by things such as trees, other tall buildings, or even roof components like chimneys. This is also the main problem caused by dirt build-up.

Usually, the initial inspection before installing solar panels should identify potential obstructions, but this common problem can’t always be helped.

When this happens, it can cause one or more solar panels to have a lower power output and affect the entire system – kind of like a domino effect! Luckily, this is an incredibly easy problem to fix.

Solutions

1. Inspect your solar panels and remove obstructions: To know if your solar panel problem is caused by shading, you’ll need to do a visual inspection of your system. Generally, it’s easy to identify what is causing the shade. If you can, you may also be able to remove the obstruction. For example, if it’s caused by trees, you can cut its branches back.
2. Call in the experts: If the problem is less obvious, it may be time to call in our professionals at Eco Happy. Our team of experts can identify and rectify the problem, guiding you on how to avoid similar problems with your solar cells in the future.
3. Use systems such as bypass diodes: Some mechanisms and systems can be installed directly onto your solar panels. They can help to bypass the panel that is generating less electricity than the rest and keep your system running optimally even when one panel is shaded.

4. Faulty wiring and connections

Faulty connections or wiring in solar energy systems aren’t only the cause of performance issues but can pose significant safety threats as well. When damaged or faulty wires are left untreated, they can cause a myriad of problems, such as:

• Power disruptions
• Power fluctuations
• Fire hazards
• Shocks
• Elevated temperature-induced degradation of system components such as inverters and panels

Solutions

1. Call an electrician: If you suspect you have a connection problem, it’s best to have an audit done by an electrician or our qualified team of solar experts. We can help you identify wiring defects, loose connections, and damaged components as a result of faulty wiring.
2. Replace damaged wiring: In the case of damaged connections, you’re going to want to replace them as quickly as possible to avoid potential safety hazards.
3. Routine inspections: To avoid this problem altogether, it’s a good idea to hire our team of professionals perform routine inspections of your solar system.

5. Temperature and humidity

Changes in temperature and humidity can affect the efficiency of solar systems, leading to reduced energy production and (potentially) long-term damage to certain system components.

Generally, when it is too hot for solar panels, it can cause the cells to operate less efficiently by decreasing their electricity generation and the rate at which they convert energy.

On the other hand, colder temperatures can affect the performance of your system – especially during winter. Humidity can cause corrosion or moisture within the system components as well, which can lead to power outages and other problems.

Additionally, thermal cycling, where the panels heat up and cool down repeatedly, can lead to material contraction and expansion. This creates mechanical stress on your solar panels and may cause microcracks, delamination, or failures in the solder joints.

Solutions

The best (and easiest) way to avoid temperature damage to your solar panel system is to have an expert team execute your installation. These professionals will be able to assess the risk of temperature damage and install weather-resistant materials and other mechanisms to avoid these problems completely.

However, if your panels are already installed, you may need to repair the existing damage or replace any damaged panels first. Then, you should call in the professionals to perform an assessment of your system and carry out any re-installations or component replacements you may need.

Eco Happy’s team of dedicated solar experts can help to guide and advise you on the best course of action to stop this from happening again.

6. Extreme weather damage

In some cases, the problem is a little deeper than heat, cold, or humidity. Instead, extreme weather like hailstorms, heavy rain, snow, or even extremely high winds can have an impact on your solar system’s performance.

Not only can they cause physical damage to the solar panels themselves, but they can also place too much stress on the system’s structure and cause it to fail. In more severe cases, like lightning strikes, you may experience power surges or complete system failure. Either way, this common problem can be more than inconvenient to deal with.

Solutions

1. Waterproofing: If you want to avoid moisture or water from heavy rain or melted snow from getting into the sensitive electrical components of your system, you can always use some easy waterproofing methods. Ideally, you’ll want to seal cable entry points and junction boxes to protect them. Or, you can install a drainage system to help any water flow away from your roof.
2. Surge protection: You can’t always control the weather – especially when it comes to lightning strikes. But you can protect your system by installing surge protection. That way, if there is any unexpected power outage, you can rest easy knowing the electrical components of your system are safeguarded.
3. Damage inspection and repairs: If your solar panels have already been damaged by extreme weather, you will need to call in a team of solar professionals to assess the damage. They can guide you on any repairs or replacements you need to make to keep your system running smoothly.

7. Poor installation

Poor solar panel installations can lead to a range of issues, which may even include premature system failure! Typically, subpar installation methods, inadequate quality controls, and the use of low-quality materials can compromise the performance, reliability, and lifespan of the solar PV installation.

Although the fix for this problem isn’t always that simple, Eco Happy is here to help!

Solutions

If your previous installation team has let you down, it’s time to call in the experts in solar panel installation – Eco Happy. Our dedicated team of professionals is qualified and knowledgeable on how to rectify a poor installation. Whether it’s as easy as reinstalling the mounting frames or as tricky as replacing your entire system, you can rely on them for quick and efficient service.

If you haven’t already hired installers to set your system up, then be sure to contact Eco Happy for a free quote. We can guarantee nothing but the best service from start to finish, and it’s our promise that you will never have a sub-standard installation experience from us!

8. Outdated technology

If your solar panels are using outdated technology, it could pose a threat to the entire system. This is because it limits their ability to harness solar energy and deliver the optimal energy output for your home or business.

As solar panel technology continues to evolve, older systems are becoming obsolete, which can also lead to more maintenance requirements, decreased energy bill savings over time, and (of course) less energy production. Older models may also lack the efficiency and durability of newer ones, which can mean a smaller return on your initial investment in the system.

It’s important to remember that while solar systems are made to last for around 30 years, their lifespan is largely dependent on the materials that were used during installation, the expertise of the installers, and various other factors. In turn, this could mean that your system only has a lifespan of 10 or 15 years rather than 25 or 30.

Solutions

1. Replacements: If the whole system is outdated, it may be a good time to replace your solar panels and any other components your system requires. Although you may need higher upfront costs to do this, you’ll benefit from bigger energy savings over time and lose less of your original investment.
2. Upgrade your inverter: In some cases, you may need to upgrade your inverter to a newer model with more advanced features, monitoring capabilities, and future compatibility with some of the new smart grid technologies.
3. Consult with solar experts: Before you replace your entire system, you’ll want to call in professional installers to assess your existing setup. After their assessment, they can advise you on what exactly needs to be replaced or upgraded. And, if you only need to replace one or two components, this can be much more cost-effective.

9. Broken solar PV generation meter

If it seems as though your energy readings have been way off, you may be dealing with a broken (or at least malfunctioning) solar PV generation meter.

A broken meter can disrupt the accurate monitoring of energy production, which may potentially be problematic since these meters are used to calculate feed-in tariff payments. So, identifying this problem quickly and addressing the subsequent issues that come with it is incredibly important – especially for accurate energy accounting.

Solutions

1. Upgrade your meter: The best way to ensure that your meter is working correctly is to replace (or repair) it. Generally, if your meter is malfunctioning, it can be fixed by simply calling a professional to repair it or address the underlying issues that are causing the malfunctions. Still, if your meter is outdated or simply just not working correctly at all, it will need to be replaced.
2. Meter calibration: Every now and again, it’s a good idea to perform a meter calibration to see if your meter is functioning correctly. If it’s not, you should schedule a replacement as quickly as possible.

10. Isolator problems

Isolators play a really important role in the safety and performance of solar energy systems. And, if there are any issues with the isolators, it could lead to some pretty nasty consequences like electrical hazards, system malfunctions, and even operational disruptions in businesses.

Solutions

1. Cleaning: Be sure to clean the isolator contacts and terminals regularly. That way, you can keep them in optimal condition and keep your system generating electricity through your solar panels.
2. Tighten connections: You should always check and tighten any electrical connections that may be loose. This will help to keep your system working for years to come! As long as you do this regularly, that is.

FAQs

How do I know if my solar panels are faulty?

Usually, you can always check your inverter readings and monitor them closely. If you see a significant dip or steady, gradual decline in the energy your system is producing, it’s time to troubleshoot and figure out why your solar panels aren’t performing as well as they should.

How do you check if solar panels are working properly?

Not only can you monitor your inverter readings, but you can also easily tell if your solar panels are working by how much money you’re saving on your utility bills. For example, if your bills are much less than they were before, your solar panels should be working.

How do I keep my solar panels in good condition?

Solar panel systems are incredibly easy to care for. The easiest way to keep your solar panels in good condition is to schedule regular cleaning and maintenance throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

That’s all on our list of tips, tricks, and solutions to help solar panel owners troubleshoot their problems.

At Eco Happy, we’re dedicated to helping you get the most out of your solar system, and that includes keeping it in tip-top shape even after it’s installed. So, if you need help maintaining, repairing, or even assessing your solar panels, we’ve got you covered.