Why Your Solar Panels Aren’t Producing Power & How to Fix Them
Solar panels are incredibly low maintenance and if they’re installed correctly, they are unlikely to stop working unexpectedly. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never run into an issue with your system. Solar energy systems are comprised of several electrical components, all of which can experience issues.
Every second your solar energy system is down costs you money, so it’s important to fix your solar panels as soon as you notice your solar panels are not producing full power.
To help, we’ve rounded up some of the most common solar panel problems and how to solve them. Need professional solar maintenance in Arizona? SouthFace Solar & Electric is here to help. Give us a call or schedule service online now.
The Problem: Dirty Solar Panels
Solar panels are constantly exposed to the elements, which means they can get pretty dirty. If a layer of dirt, dust, or grime has formed on your solar panels, it could be blocking sunlight and preventing your home solar panels from producing at their full power.
The Solution: Solar Panel Cleaning
Typically, the rain will wash away any grime that accumulates on your solar panels. But if your PV panels are particularly dirty–after a dust storm, for example—they might need to be cleaned.
You can clean your solar panels yourself using distilled water and a soft cloth. Just be sure to avoid abrasive sponges, soap, and power washers so you don’t damage the panels while cleaning them. If you’d rather not climb up on your roof to clean your solar panels, call SouthFace Solar & Electric for professional solar maintenance and cleaning.
The Problem: New Obstructions
Obstructions like trees and buildings throw shade on your solar panels, blocking the sun and preventing them from producing energy. If your solar panels are not producing as much power as they once did, check for new obstructions that didn’t exist when you installed your system. If the trees surrounding your home aren’t regularly trimmed, for example, their foliage may be blocking your panels’ light.
The Solution: Remove What You Can
If overgrown trees are blocking your solar panels, a little landscaping should solve the problem. You can likely remove overgrown branches or foliage to restore your solar panels’ access to the sun without cutting down full trees.
The Problem: Malfunctioning Inverter
Your solar inverter is responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity your solar panels produce into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what our homes and buildings are wired to use. If your inverter is malfunctioning, it won’t be able to convert DC to AC electricity and you won’t be able to use the power your solar panels produce.
If there is a problem with your solar inverter, you will likely receive an error message via your solar monitoring system. When this happens, call a solar professional right away to avoid downtime.
The Solution: Schedule Solar Inverter Servicing
There are several issues a solar inverter can develop. To find out what’s causing your solar inverter to malfunction, it’s best to call a solar repair company for inverter servicing. An experienced solar technician will know what to look for and can find out what’s wrong with your solar inverter quickly.
Solar inverters don’t last as long as solar panels (inverters are typically warrantied for 10-15 years while panels are warrantied for 25+ years) so don’t be surprised if your inverter fails while your solar panels are still in great condition.
Get Help With Solar Panel Troubleshooting & Repair in Arizona
If you’re experiencing an issue with your solar panel system, SouthFace Solar & Electric is here to help. We are a local solar company in AZ that has been in business since 2008, and we offer solar maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair services throughout all of Arizona. Our solar professionals can troubleshoot your solar panels, figure out why your solar panels are not producing enough power, and recommend the best solution.
At SouthFace Solar & Electric, we’re committed to providing excellent customer service. For us, that means being on-call even after your solar installation is complete. Anytime you are concerned about your solar system’s performance, we are here to help. We also provide professional solar maintenance and repair for systems we did not originally install.
