Solar panels are becoming more popular all the time, especially with the increasing costs associated with traditional electricity. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t without their problems. When it comes to troubleshooting solar panel issues, it’s best to let the professionals diagnose and fix any major problems, but you can get an idea of what might be wrong by familiarizing yourself with these most common issues with solar panels.
Inverter Problems
The inverter in your solar panel system is one of the most important components because it is responsible for converting the DC electricity generated by your solar panels into AC electricity, which is the usable form of electricity that you’re familiar with. Your home or business can only use AC electricity, so if your inverter stops working, so does your ability to use your solar panels.
Since inverter issues can lead to a loss of power or even fire, these should only be handled by solar panel professionals. Whenever you’re dealing with an electrical component, you want someone who is knowledgeable about electricity to take care of the issue. Otherwise, you could get hurt or even killed. You should pay attention to the inverter’s display pane for any error codes that you can provide to your solar panel professional for additional information.
Battery Problems
Solar panel systems that aren’t connected to the power grid have to have batteries in which to store the electricity they generate. As with any batteries, solar panel batteries can malfunction and lead to a loss of power or worse. Batteries that become overcharged or damaged in any way can be dangerous, so again, it’s vital that you leave their installation and inspection to a professional.
While learning about the most common issues with solar panels, it’s essential to consider professional solar panel installation for optimal performance.
Of course, you can and should visually inspect your solar panel system’s batteries regularly so that you can report any abnormality to your solar panel professional. Issues with solar panel batteries should be addressed immediately so that they don’t lead to even worse situations like fire. Unlike the inverter, your batteries don’t have displays that can give you an error code, but your system can detect some battery problems and produce a code on the main panel display.
Hot Spots
There is an entire system of wiring inside your solar panels and if there is a break in this wiring, it can lead to what are called hot spots. A hot spot is an area in a solar panel system that consumes energy rather than generating it. This causes the panel to heat to a high temperature and become overloaded. This situation can then short circuit the entire system, leaning to a loss of power and possibly fire.
It is absolutely critical that your system is inspected regularly (at least annually) to detect any loose or damaged wires. Hot spots are difficult for the average homeowner to detect because there won’t be any error codes or indication of a hot spot until the system short circuits.
Conclusion
Yes, there are things that can go wrong with solar panel systems, but they should not deter you from installing this incredibly efficient electricity generator for your house. Just be sure you have it installed by a qualified solar panel professional and set up a regular maintenance and inspection schedule with them to minimise the need for solar repairs and keep it running smoothly.
