Detecting damage to solar panels is crucial for maintaining their efficiency and ensuring the safety of your solar energy system. Visual inspections are a straightforward way to identify issues such as cracks, breakages, or discoloration on the panels.
In some cases, a bad solar panel may also cause your inverter to display an error message. To determine if a solar panel is bad, look for signs such as decreased energy production, physical damage or discoloration, hot spots, potential-induced degradation (PID), and monitoring system alerts.
Visual Inspection – Conduct a thorough visual inspection of your solar array. Look for cracks, discolouration, or any signs of physical damage. Perform inspections periodically and after significant weather events to catch damage early.
First, you should photograph the damage and inform your insurance company if it is severe or caused by a natural disaster. Next, contact a qualified solar panel technician who will evaluate the damage and recommend the most appropriate course of action, which may involve either repair or replacement. Can a Damaged Solar Panel Be Repaired?
Performance Monitoring – Most solar systems come equipped with monitoring tools that allow you to track performance metrics such as energy output, voltage, and efficiency. A sudden or unexplained drop in production can indicate a problem with one or more panels.
Replacement is usually the best option for severely damaged panels, such as those with delamination, major cracks, or significant performance loss due to internal cell damage. Replacing a relatively old damaged panel with a more efficient model can also be beneficial, even if it’s reparable.