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.
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 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.
Can a solar system work without a battery?
First, it must by law automatically shut off for worker safety. Secondly, a solar array without batteries cannot function during an outage because the excess energy has nowhere to go. And thirdly, all solar systems are equipped with an inverter.
Why does a solar system shut down during a power outage?
If we experience a power outage and the utility company needs to send linemen to inspect or repair power lines, they need to be able to do their work without being electrocuted. Because a solar array without a battery backup system is constantly back-feeding excess energy, the system shuts down for several reasons when it senses a grid outage.
Do solar panels stop working unexpectedly?
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.
A sudden drop in energy production, for instance, could indicate an obstruction or a technical fault. It's about being proactive rather than reactive, ensuring your solar panels continue to provide clean, efficient energy to your home. Like any valuable asset, a little care goes a long way.