Dirty, blocked, or broken means no power
Obstructions, dirt, a faulty inverter, or broken panels could be why your solar panels aren’t working.
It’s fairly easy to clean solar panels or remove obstructions to get them back to their previous performance.
If the panels are broken or the inverter isn’t working properly, call a pro to troubleshoot it.
Solar panels capture the sun’s radiation to produce electricity to directly power your home or store it in solar batteries for later use. Occasionally, something goes wrong, and the panels stop working or don’t produce as much energy as they should. Here are six possible reasons why your solar panels aren’t working so you can get back to running on the sun.
The inverter is responsible for converting the DC power from the solar panels into AC electricity which runs the home’s electronics, lights, and appliances. If the inverter is broken or malfunctioning, the power won’t be converted into usable electricity. If this is the case, the solar monitoring system will show an error message, and you should contact your local solar panel repair company to fix the issue.
If your solar panels aren’t producing as much energy as they normally do, the issue can be as simple as dirty panels. When panels are covered in dirt or grime, they’re less exposed to sunlight and cannot collect as much energy.
Most homeowners can clean solar panels themselves, though you can contact a solar panel maintenance service to do the job. Clean the panels before they get hot so you don’t damage them with the cool water. Washing them with a soft-bristle brush or squeegee and a mild cleaning solution will remove dirt and rainy weather can do the rest. If you’re uncomfortable getting up on the roof, you can use a telescoping brush with a microfiber head to reach them from the ground.
“If your solar panels are on your roof, it’s necessary to take safety precautions or put your trust in a certified solar panel technician. If you're performing a DIY cleaning and notice any cracks, chips, or other blemishes, it’s recommended that you stop and contact your solar contractor.”
— Mike Naughton, CEO and Founder of Integrity Energy, Cleveland, OH
Blocked solar panels won’t produce as much energy as they would with direct sun exposure. If your solar panel production is down, it’s possible that an object is casting shade on them. If a tree is causing the issue, get out your clippers or call a tree trimming company to clear branches away from the panels. During the winter, you’ll need to know how to clean snow off solar panels to allow for maximum sun exposure.
A broken solar panel won’t absorb the sun’s energy and convert it to electricity. If you notice your solar power production plummeting, you should check your panels to make sure they’re not damaged or broken. If you have a way to get to your roof safely, conduct a visual inspection and then call a professional to fix or replace the broken panel. Alternatively, you can call your solar panel installation company and have them inspect the panels or make repairs as necessary.
Defects like microcracks and delamination require your attention. Microcracks are small cracks in a solar panel caused by temperature fluctuations, freeze thaw cycles, pressure from snow or equipment, or impacts from hail or other debris. Delamination is another issue where solar panel layers begin to separate. This can happen if moisture enters the panel and appears as bubbles, blisters, discoloration, or other changes in the panel’s appearance.
Both of these issues affect a solar panel’s ability to produce energy for your home. If you suspect this is the case, have a local pro who repairs solar panels inspect the system. They can identify small issues that you can’t see on the surface and offer solutions for repairing or replacing the panels. These issues might be covered by your warranty, so be sure to read your policy.
The reason your solar panels aren’t working might not have to do with the solar panels at all. Solar panel productivity is calculated with fairly ideal conditions in mind, so environmental factors may be the culprit if your system isn’t generating as much power as expected. These include:
High temperatures: While it might sound like a contradiction, solar panels work more efficiently in lower temperatures. As temperatures rise, they become less efficient, and their voltage decreases.
Clouds and smog: Solar panels need sunlight to capture energy and generate power, so their efficiency goes down on cloudy days. The same holds for days when smog blocks sunlight from reaching the panels.
Orientation: The sun rises in the east, travels on a southern path, and sets in the west. The best orientation for solar panels is toward the south, but that may not always be possible. If your solar panels are facing in another direction, which could be necessary depending on where you’re located and potential obstructions, you may not get the output you were expecting and assume your panels aren’t working.
These issues explain why the solar panels aren’t working, but they aren’t always easily fixed. You can stay on top of regular solar panel maintenance to keep the panels performing at their best and consider adding solar batteries to store excess energy for later use. That way you can use stored energy on cloudy or hot days when solar panels aren’t performing to their potential.
