Solar System Troubleshooting: When Your Panels Underperform
Production dropped? Here is how to troubleshoot a solar system — checking monitoring, inverters, panels, and knowing when to call the installer.
Check the monitoring app first
Most systems have a monitoring app (Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla). If production dropped sharply, compare to the same month last year — weather, snow, and seasonal sun cause natural variation. A sudden drop to near-zero usually means an inverter fault.
The common culprits
A tripped breaker or inverter error, a panel covered by debris or snow, tree shading that grew, or a failed string. Simple checks: look at the inverter screen for error codes, check breakers, and see if the panels look physically damaged.
When to call the installer
If monitoring shows one panel underperforming (with microinverters) or the inverter shows a persistent error code, call your installer. Most workmanship warranties cover troubleshooting and repairs for 10–25 years. Keep your paperwork handy.
FAQ
Why is my solar system producing less?
Seasonal sun, snow, debris, shading growth, or an inverter issue. Compare monitoring data to the same month last year before worrying.
How do I reset a solar inverter?
Turn it off, wait 5 minutes, turn it back on (per manufacturer instructions). Persistent errors need an installer call under warranty.
Who fixes solar panels under warranty?
Your installer (workmanship) and the equipment manufacturer (panels/inverter). Keep contracts and warranty docs to file claims.
Ready to compare real installer quotes?
The estimates above are based on public data — your actual price depends on your roof, installer, and market. EnergySage collects quotes from pre-screened installers in one place (free, no obligation).
Compare quotes on EnergySage →
We may earn a commission if you sign up through links above — it never affects our data or estimates.
Sources
- U.S. EIA — electricity rates by state, eia.gov/electricity/monthly
- NREL PVWatts v8 — solar production by location, pvwatts.nrel.gov
- DSIRE — state incentives and net metering, dsireusa.org
- See how every figure on this page is calculated — PVFig methodology.
Comments powered by GitHub Discussions — enable by configuring the Giscus repo in
app/components/Comments.tsx.