Nearly seven in 10 owners had had no problems with their solar panels in our survey of over 2,000 owners.* The most common – and most serious – problem owners face is with the inverter. In some cases inverter problems mean you don't get any usable renewable electricity. It can also be a pricey problem to fix.
Your solar panels not working could be from several different issues, including: 1. Lack of sunlight If your solar panels are shaded or concealed by trees, buildings, or debris, they may not receive enough sunlight to perform correctly. So, when installing solar panels, it’s best to have them in a suitable location to avoid this issue.
Probably the most common issue found on faulty solar panel systems isn’t actually the panels themselves - it’s all down to the inverter. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) generated by the panels into alternating current (AC), which powers the electrical components around your home.
If your solar meter is not working correctly, you won’t have the right readings to calculate feed-in tariff payments or know your energy savings. The solution is to get a new solar meter. When you notice this problem, it could be software or hardware related. Sometimes solar meters fail because the technology used becomes obsolete.
It's also possible that the DC power from the solar panels has been lost, explains Mr Robinson. This could be caused by the DC rotary isolator being switched off, connectors from positive and negative cables being disconnected or the DC cables severed. Check if your inverter is still within its warranty. If so, contact the company about the fault.
The most common cause of low power output in solar panels is obstructions or shadows on the array. Checking Voc (voltage open circuit) and Isc (current short circuit) measurements can help diagnose panel issues. Loose connectors and improperly seated terminals can cause low voltage or current output.