5 Warning Signs Your Solar Panels Need Repairs or Replacement ASAP

5 Warning Signs Your Solar Panels Need Repairs or Replacement ASAP

Installing solar panels is a significant step towards contributing to clean energy and reducing carbon footprints. We at Solar Medix know that investing in clean energy is not a cheaper affair. Nevertheless, solar panels also need regular care and maintenance, just like every significant house equipment. Deterioration, aging, and environmental and climatic factors may adversely impact solar performance.

Therefore, if you are turning your attention to the proper and effective functioning of your solar panel system, do not delay and take appropriate action on time; minor issues escalate to more extensive problems that are expensive to fix.

This article will guide you through all 5 warning signals that you should immediately get to check your solar panel system for repair or replacement. We’ll also cover when you should repair and when you should get new panels, as well as some common mistakes to avoid. You will also learn when the right time is to engage world-class solar experts from Solar Medix to perform an inspection.

Why Regular Solar Panel Inspections Are Crucial

Although solar panels are designed to be low maintenance, that does not mean they require no maintenance. Regular maintenance is crucial because all systems, including your solar panels, need regular checks; otherwise, they will not function effectively.

Regular inspections prevent minor issues, such as dirt buildup and loose wiring, from becoming significant problems. This does not cause the solar system to incur higher electricity and repair bills.

Frequent checks prevent issues from becoming out of control, ensuring the extended solar panels’ lifespan. So, schedule your inspection with Solar Medix immediately instead of waiting for the panels to shut down.

5 Solar Panel Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Let’s focus on the five specific signs telling you to call for a professional. If the panels exhibit any of these signs, resolve the issue quickly. Otherwise, the problem could worsen and cause a reduction in the amount of energy production.

  1. Significant Decrease in Energy Output
  2. Visible Physical Damage
  3. Persistent Inverter or Electrical Issues
  4. Unusual Changes in Energy Bills
  5. Structural or Pest Issues Around Panels

1. Significant Decrease in Energy Output

Is the output from your solar system lower than it was before? Whenever the energy output from the panels decreases significantly, it becomes one of the most evident indicators of a problem with the solar panels.

It could be due to old panels, dirt accumulation, shading, or internal problems. Although your panels are a few years old, they should work optimally. If not, they need immediate maintenance.

  • Fact: In a lifespan of 20 years, a well-maintained solar system can function at about 80 to 85% efficiency, and power loss will be 0.5 % on average per year (Source: National Renewable Energy Resources (NREL))

What could cause a drop in energy output?

  • Ageing Panels: Solar panels can give inefficient performance over time.
  • Dirt and Debris: Dust, bird droppings, or leaves can accumulate, preventing solar panels from getting much sunlight.
  • Shading: Trees, new buildings, or construction can inhibit sunlight and reduce efficiency.

What should you do?

  • Regularly clean your panels of dust, debris, and other buildups.
  • Cut back some trees or bushes that appear to block sunlight.

2. Visible Physical Damage

Damage to solar panel systems should not be overlooked. Any form of cracking, dents, or broken glass could diminish the system’s energy output and may lead to further damage that would require repairs if not adequately addressed.

Various factors could cause physical harm, such as hailstorms, high winds, or, to some extent, poor installation.

What to look for:

  • Cracks: These are dangerous and can weaken the panel and decrease efficiency.
  • Dents or Chips: Damage to the glass or frame may also cause some issues in the future.
  • Discolouration: Yellow or brown spots on the panel could indicate that the material is starting to wear off.

What should you do?

  • Must monitor the condition of your panels after storms.
  • If you see damage on the panels, contact a professional for further analysis.
  • Depending on the severity of the damage, the panels would be replaced or repaired.

3. Persistent Inverter or Electrical Issues

Your inverter is essential to ensure that the energy generated by your panels is usable. If you are experiencing problems with your inverter, frequent error codes or displays, blinking lights, and no power supply, the system is not functioning well.

Electrical issues, such as faulty inverters and even damaged wiring, can affect the overall performance of the solar energy system.

Signs of electrical problems:

  • Error messages or warning lights on the inverter.
  • The output from the inverter is lower than usual.
  • Energy output is unstable, or the system shuts down.

What should you do?

  • Examine the manual and check the inverter for warning/light codes to resolve the issue.
  • If problems still exist, call a specialist, like Solar Medix experts, to fix or replace the inverter.
  • Sometimes, the replacement of the inverter alone can do wonders for the performance of your system.

4. Unusual Changes in Energy Bills

While solar panels are expected to significantly contribute to limiting electricity usage, are you still experiencing high energy bills? This could signal underperformance from your panels or the panels are not working at their maximum potential.

Alternatively, an abrupt increase in energy demand can indicate an issue within the electrical circuits, such as malfunctioning wires or inverters.

What could cause this?

  • Underperforming Solar Panels: Older or faulty panels are inefficient in energy production.
  • Inverter issues: Your system will not effectively convert energy if the inverter is not functioning appropriately.
  • Wiring problems: Wiring detached or damaged leads to inefficient system working.

What should you do?

  • Compare your current and the previous energy readings to disclose significant changes.
  • If your panels seem underperforming, look for dirt buildup or damage.
  • Get in touch with an expert to diagnose wiring or inverter problems.

5. Structural or Pest Issues Around Panels

The issues that a customer may experience with solar panels can sometimes arise from other problems, such as pest infestation in a roof structure.

Chewing wires and nesting from animals like birds and squirrels can affect the panels’ performance. Furthermore, a leak or damage to the roof’s structure increases the risk of damage to your solar panels.

What to watch out for:

  • Pest infestations: Animals that damage the wires or the panels
  • Roof damage: Leaks and structural problems which arise on the roof
  • Improper installation: Panels which were not placed firmly can move, resulting in roof damage

What should you do?

  • Checking for pests around the panels, looking for signs like droppings or nests
  • Look for any signs of damage on your roof that may affect your solar system.
  • You should contact a professional to repair pest or structural issues.

When to Repair vs. Replace Your Solar Panels

While dealing with the malfunction of solar panels, many people get confused about whether repairing is a good option or if they should replace them.

The following guidelines should help you make the right decision:

1. When to repair:

  • When dirt accumulates, or a small crack has developed on one of your panels.
  • Inverter or wiring faults that require only minor fixing.
  • Any panels or parts that still have a warranty can be serviced by the manufacturer.

2. When to replace:

  • wide cracks or multiple panels breaking down entirely
  • Panels that become less efficient after a period of 20 to 25 years
  • When several panels are functioning poorly, replacing them is the only solution.
IssueRepairReplace
Minor damage (small cracks)Yes, if isolated to one panelNo
System-wide performance dropNo, if not easily fixedYes, if repairs are ineffective
Warranties expiringYes, with manufacturer supportYes, if no support is available
Heavy physical damageNoYes

3 Benefits of Acting Quickly

Responding to solar panel issues promptly is critical when you want an efficient solar system that lasts longer.

Below are the three main advantages of acting quickly once a problem has been spotted.

  1. Preventing Further Damage
  2. Ensuring Maximum Energy Output and Cost Savings
  3. Increasing the Lifespan of Your System

1. Preventing Further Damage

  • Stop Issues from Escalating: Undetected small cracks or electrical faults can, over time, create a bigger headache regarding repair costs as they spread.
  • Minimize Downtime: Minimal damage means maximum productivity, implying that the solar power system will not be out of service for long.
  • Protect Your Investment: Quick repairs bring better returns on investment such that solar panels can last a very long time.

2. Ensuring Maximum Energy Output and Cost Savings

  • Maximize Energy Generation: Problems that are resolved quickly ensure the solar panels work to their full potential and lower your electricity bills.
  • Boost Efficiency: Repairing poorly functioning parts, such as inverters, brings back the required operations.
  • Save on Repairs: Stopping minor inconveniences from becoming much larger can help prevent paying too much for repairs.
  • Fact: It is estimated that homeowners can save about $10,000 and $30,000 within 20 years in terms of average energy bills in most states of the United States with systems of varying sizes and electricity rates (Republic of Solar).

3. Increasing the Lifespan of Your System

  • Extended System Life: Always being proactive with damage repair can increase the lifespan of your solar panels.
  • More Reliable Performance: Properly maintained panels guarantee better and more reliable energy for many years.
  • Lower Replacement Costs: By identifying the problems early, the expense of replacing entire systems is avoided.

For people unsure whether it’s appropriate to repair their solar panels or if it’s high time to replace them, we recommend our blog: Lifespan of Solar Panels: When to Repair vs When to Replace.

Choose Solar Medix for Your Solar Panel Repairs and Replacement

At Solar Medix, we believe that you deserve to get the most from your solar energy system. Whether you are experiencing issues or need emergency maintenance, give us a call and let our skilled technicians diagnose the problem and get it taken care of. From a basic repair to a complete replacement, Solar Medix will ensure your system operates properly!

If you’re having any of the above warning signs, feel free to make an appointment with Solar Medix for a free consultation to ensure they bring you all the energy savings you can get.

FAQs

Solar panels with minor damage or a few cracks can still be used; however, if the panels are extensively damaged and are older, replacement of the entire system may be necessary. A professional solar specialist like Solar Medix can guide you in making the best decision.

There are several causes for solar panel damage, such as severe weather (hail, high winds), pest interference (like squirrels chewing on wires), poor installation, and the natural aging process whereby materials get degraded through time, decreasing efficiency.

You may have to replace your solar panels if they lose a lot of energy output, are physically damaged in a way that is beyond repair, have outlived the 20-25 year lifespan of most solar panels, or the inverter or electrical issues continue after being repaired.

Dirt can accumulate, or wiring issues can develop over time. If these little problems fall through the cracks, they affect the overall efficiency of your system, potentially leading to costly panel replacements. Hence, frequent checks increase energy production yield and longevity of the system.

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