My Solar Panels Aren't Working! A Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

SolarEdge Inverter malfunctioning AC and DC voltage is present, but no power is being produced

Waking up to discover your solar panels aren't producing power can be frustrating and alarming. Before you panic or immediately call a technician, there are several simple troubleshooting steps you can take to potentially resolve the issue yourself. Many common solar problems have surprisingly simple solutions that don't require professional intervention.

This step-by-step guide will help you systematically identify and address the most frequent solar system issues, potentially saving you time, money, and the stress of an emergency

service call.

Safety First: Important Precautions

Before we dive into troubleshooting, remember these critical safety guidelines:

• Never climb on your roof to inspect or clean panels

• Don't touch any electrical components or attempt electrical repairs

• Avoid working on wet systems or during storms

• Turn off your system before performing any checks if instructed

• When in doubt, call a professional – your safety is worth more than any potential savings Contact Solar Repower to asses the problem and provide a safe solution

  
  

Step 1: Check Your Monitoring System

Start here because: Your monitoring system provides the most accurate picture of what's happening with your solar production.

What to do:

1. Log into your solar monitoring app or website

2. Check the current power production reading

3. Compare today's production to recent sunny days

4. Look for any error messages, alerts, or warning icons

5. Review historical data for patterns

What you might find:

• Zero production: Complete system shutdown (move to Step 2)

• Reduced production: Partial issues (skip to Step 4)

• Error messages: Note the specific codes for later reference

• No data: Communication problems (check Step 3)

Quick fix: Sometimes logging out and back into your monitoring app resolves temporary display glitches.

If you do not have any monitoring for your solar power plant, Solar Repower can install aftermarket monitoring for your solar inverter to provide instant information on energy production and system operation.

Step 2: Inspect Your Inverter

Start here because: The inverter is your system's "brain" and often the first place problems show up.

What to do:

1. Locate your inverter (usually mounted on an exterior wall or in your garage)

2. Look at the display screen or LED indicator lights

3. Check for any error codes or warning messages

4. Listen for unusual sounds (loud humming, clicking, or silence when it should be running)

5. Feel around the inverter housing for excessive heat (don't touch directly)

What the lights mean:

• Green/Blue solid: Normal operation

• Green/Blue flashing: System starting up or communicating

• Red/Orange solid: Error or fault condition

• Red/Orange flashing: Warning or temporary issue

• No lights: Power supply problem or complete failure

Quick fixes to try:

• Reset the inverter: Turn off the DC disconnect switch, wait 5 minutes, then turn it back on

• Check the AC disconnect: Ensure it's in the "ON" position

• Inspect the circuit breaker: Make sure the solar circuit breaker in your electrical panel hasn't tripped

  
  

Step 3: Verify Power Connections

Start here because: Loose connections are surprisingly common and often easy to fix.

What to do:

1. Check that all visible switches are in the "ON" position:

   • AC disconnect switch (usually near your electrical meter)

   • DC disconnect switch (usually near the inverter)

   • Solar circuit breaker in your main or solar electrical panel

2. Look for any obviously loose wires or connections

3. Check if your home has power (rule out general electrical issues)

4. Verify your internet connection (needed for monitoring systems)

Quick fixes to try:

• Flip breakers: Turn the solar breaker and the DC disconnect off wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on

• Restart your router: Poor internet can cause monitoring issues

  
  

Warning signs to call a professional:

• Burnt smells near electrical components

• Visible wire damage or corrosion

• Sparking or buzzing sounds

• Any connections that feel hot to the touch

• Fault is indicated on display and doesn't disappear when system is reset.

  
  

Step 4: Assess Weather and Environmental Factors

Start here because: Many apparent "failures" are actually normal responses to environmental conditions.

What to check:

1. Current weather conditions:

   • Heavy cloud cover reduces production significantly

   • Snow coverage blocks panels completely

   • Recent storms may have caused temporary shutdowns

2. Shading issues:

   • New tree growth casting shadows

   • Construction or new buildings nearby

   • Seasonal sun angle changes

3. Soiling and debris:

   • Dust, dirt, or pollen buildup

   • Bird droppings or nesting materials

   • Fallen leaves or branches

Normal vs. concerning production levels:

• Cloudy days: 10-25% of normal production is typical

• Overcast: 5-15% of normal production

• Light dust: 5-10% reduction

• Heavy soiling: 15-25% reduction or more

Quick fixes:

• Wait for better weather: Check production again on a clear, sunny day

• Gentle cleaning: Use a hose with a spray nozzle from the ground (never climb on the roof)

• Remove obvious debris: Clear any visible branches or leaves you can reach safely

  
  

Step 5: Review Recent Changes

Start here because: New problems often correlate with recent changes to your property or electrical system.

Questions to ask yourself:

1. Has any electrical work been done on your home recently?

2. Were any new appliances or electrical devices installed?

3. Did you recently change internet providers or router settings?

4. Have there been any power outages or electrical storms?

5. Was any landscaping or construction work done nearby?

6. Did anyone perform maintenance on your solar system?

What to check:

• Timer settings on pool pumps or other high-draw appliances

• New devices that might interfere with monitoring communication

• Changes to your home's electrical panel

• Utility company work in your neighborhood

Quick fixes:

• Reset monitoring system communication

• Check if utility company issues are affecting your area

• Verify any recent electrical work didn't impact solar connections

  
  

Step 6: Test System Response

Start here because: Sometimes systems need a complete restart to resume normal operation.

How to perform a system restart:

1. Turn off the AC disconnect switch (usually near your meter)

2. Turn off the DC disconnect switch (usually near the inverter)

3. Wait 5-10 minutes for capacitors to discharge

4. Turn on the DC disconnect first

5. Wait 30 seconds, then turn on the AC disconnect

6. Monitor the inverter for startup sequence (may take 5-10 minutes)

7. Check production within 30 minutes if sunny

What to expect during restart:

• Inverter lights may cycle through different colors

• Brief delay before production begins

• Monitoring system may take time to reconnect

• Full production may take 15-30 minutes to resume

  
  

When DIY Troubleshooting Isn't Enough

Call a professional solar technician immediately if you encounter:

Safety hazards:

• Electrical sparks or burning smells

• Damaged wiring or connections

• Water intrusion into electrical components

• Any components that are hot to the touch

Complex technical issues:

• Multiple error codes appearing simultaneously

• Inverter failure despite troubleshooting attempts

• Individual panel performance variations

• Persistent communication errors

Physical damage:

• Cracked or broken panels

• Damaged mounting hardware

• Storm damage to system components

• Wildlife damage to wiring

  
  

Preventing Future Issues

Regular maintenance you can do:

• Monthly visual inspections from the ground

• Quarterly monitoring system data reviews

• Annual gentle cleaning (if accessible safely)

• Keeping vegetation trimmed away from panels

Professional maintenance:

• Annual comprehensive system inspections

• Electrical connection tightening and testing

• Inverter maintenance and firmware updates

• Performance optimization and warranty maintenance

  
  

Quick Reference: Common Issues and Solutions

Problem	Most Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Zero production on sunny day	Tripped breaker or inverter shutdown	Reset breakers and inverter
Gradual production decline	Soiling or partial shading	Clean panels, check for new shading
Monitoring system offline	Internet or communication issue	Restart router, check connections
Inverter error codes	Temporary fault condition	System restart, note error codes
Seasonal production changes	Normal sun angle variation	Compare to same period last year

The Bottom Line

Many solar system issues can be resolved with basic troubleshooting, potentially saving you the cost and wait time of a service call. However, never compromise safety for convenience – when in doubt, consult with our certified technicians at Solar RePower.

Remember that some production variations are completely normal, and many apparent "problems" are actually your system responding appropriately to environmental conditions. The key is methodical troubleshooting and knowing when professional help is needed.

By following this step-by-step guide, you'll be equipped to handle the most common solar system issues and keep your clean energy investment running smoothly for years to come.