Solar panels are, for the most part, very reliable in their output, so when things start to go wrong, it can often be tricky to spot – particularly given that this happens quite naturally anyway (especially here in the UK where we have such pronounced seasonal performance changes). The trick is to understand what is normal and not. For Solar Panel Installation Bristol, contact https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installation-bristol/
Here are some common tell-tale signs of a system that isn’t working as it should, and steps to take next.
1) Your generation goes from high to showing zeros
This is all normal as they progress through autumn/winter. A sudden and lasting drawdown for days or weeks is not. Look for an obvious before-and-after point in your monitoring app.
2) The inverter has a warning light and an error message
Most inverters will have a green light when it is on, and the other 2 lights are fixed red as signals of a fault. If you do see an error code, snap a photo of it if possible: knowing when the install failed (error code time stamp) is usually helpful to speed up diagnosis.
3) Your electricity bills surprise you and rise out of nowhere
If you are using the same amount of energy, but your bills have gone up.
4) You are seeing gaps in the monitoring app
This is an example of data loss, which can be due to a Wi-Fi or monitoring issue and not necessarily the fault of the solar.
5) The sight of dirt, bird droppings
From the ground, look for:
Bird poo (far more output-critical than you would think!)
Leaves or debris
Tree growth or neighbouring privacy shading
Here in the UK, rain will generally keep panels clean enough, but if there’s a lot of heavy localised dirt, this can lead to significant losses.
6) Movement
If you can safely check out the array, keep an eye on things like cracked glass or lifting edges and panels that look a little askew. Do not climb onto the roof to look.
7) Strange noises or heat coming from equipment
A mild hum coming from the inverter may be well-known. Loud buzzing, clicking, or a hot/burning smell is unusual. Stay away from anything that looks dangerous and contact a professional.
What to do next (safe steps)
If your app permits, compare with the same period of a year ago.
Verify inverter status and capture a photo of any fault code.
Call your installer back if the problem remains.
Avoid DIY repairs. Very high DC voltages are present in solar systems, and faults should not be serviced by an unknowledgeable person.
