Why Are My Solar Panels Not Producing Enough Power?

You jump out of bed, do your best impression of "Here Comes the Sun" and wait for your solar panels to start capturing all that free energy. What could possibly go wrong?

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If your solar panels aren't installed correctly or they're damaged in some way, they could produce much less power than you expected.

Why Are My Solar Panels Not Producing Enough Power?

There are several common reasons for solar panels not working. If your solar system isn't producing enough energy, check for one of these culprits.

1. Dirty Panels

When a young child plays outdoors, it takes very little time for them to end up covered in dirt and grass stains. Now, imagine what your solar panels go through. They're outside 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, exposing them to wind, rain, sleet and snow. During a storm, heavy winds can pick up dirt from the ground and cause it to land on your solar panels. Your panels can even get a little grimy after several years of use. If your solar panels are dirty, the photovoltaic cells can't capture as much energy as they should.

2. Faulty Inverter

The energy that comes from the sun isn't the same energy your home's electrical system uses to power appliances and electronics. As a result, you need some way to turn direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity. The inverter performs this task. If you have a faulty inverter, your solar system won't be able to convert as much DC energy into AC energy, leaving you with less power than anticipated.

3. Panel Obstructions

For your solar panels to work properly, the sun must reach them without any obstructions. Just because there were no obstructions when you installed your panels doesn't mean there are no obstructions now. For example, contractors are always putting up new buildings, so a new home in the neighborhood may be preventing your solar panels from receiving as much sunlight as possible. When this happens, they can't produce as much energy as expected.

4. Cloudy Weather

In some cases, underperformance is a temporary problem caused by dreary weather. When it's cloudy, your solar panels don't receive as much sunlight as they do on a sunny day. This reduces the amount of DC energy captured and converted to AC energy.

How Do I Check If My Solar Panels Are Working Properly?

If you're concerned about your solar panels working properly, there are a few things you can do to determine if you need repairs. First, check the lights on the inverter. If you see a flashing red light, it's time to call your solar company for troubleshooting help. Depending on which model you have, you may also see an orange light when there's a problem with your solar system.

Another way to check your system is to look at the meter. Every system is a little different, but you should have a screen that shows you how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you're producing. If the total is increasing, your solar panels are probably working fine. Your solar meter won't move as fast as a traditional utility meter, so don't worry if it's moving slowly. Just look for the total number of kilowatt-hours produced.

Finally, stay on top of your electric bill. If you notice a sharp increase or if your net metering credit isn't as high as it used to be, you may have a problem with your panels. Net metering is a policy that allows solar users to send their excess energy to the power grid. Utility companies typically issue a credit for the extra energy, lowering your bill significantly.

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How Can I Increase My Solar Panel Energy Output?

One of the best ways to maximize output is to choose your solar panels carefully. Look for high-efficiency panels designed to help you save money. If you already have solar panels, you can still boost your output by following a few simple tips.

• Keep your solar panels clean. Dirt and debris block sunlight from entering PV cells, reducing the output from your solar system.

• Adjust the tilt of your panels. Because the earth is round, the optimal tilt for your solar panels depends on where you live. For example, the sun sits high in Texas, so homeowners in the Lone Star State don't need quite as much tilt to maximize efficiency.

• Make sure your panels are oriented correctly. The United States and Canada are north of the equator, so if you live in either country, your solar panels should be oriented true south.

• Place mirrors around your solar panels to direct more sunlight to the PV cells.

• Keep trees trimmed to minimize shade.

What Happens If Solar Panels Alone Aren't Generating Enough Electricity to Power Your Home?

There's no rule that says you have to disconnect your home from the power grid when you install a solar system. Therefore, if your solar panels don't produce full power, you can still use energy from the grid to meet your electricity needs. If you disconnect your electric service, however, you won't have an alternate source of energy if your solar system underperforms.