How To Tell If Your Solar Panels Are Working

In addition to being cost-effective, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly, many people choose to install solar panels for their homes or business because they require very little maintenance. While solar panel installations are known to go years without an issue, talk to our team at Westcoast Solar Energy if you’re concerned about your solar energy production.

5 Ways To Check On Your Solar Energy Production

1 – Review Your Electricity Bills 

While reviewing their energy bills is often the first step homeowners take to determine if their solar panels are working, utility bills often lack key information on the efficiency of their solar panel installations. How much you pay the electric company can fluctuate depending on how much energy was bought and sold through net energy metering, while to know how efficient your system is, you would need to know your solar energy production and solar energy usage. 

Nevertheless, a high electricity bill can indicate an issue with the system where a service call is necessary. 

2 – Know Your Inverter

PV Installations come with an inverter that turns direct current energy from the solar panels into alternating current electricity that can be used inside the home or business. Sometimes an inverter malfunctions leading to an underperforming solar system. Luckily inverters are easy to check as they are equipped with indicator lights. If the light on the indicator is green and steady, it is working as it should, while if the inverter is displaying a yellow, red, or flashing light, it is time to call your solar company to troubleshoot the problem. 

3 – Look For Dirt, Debris, And Other Obstructions

Over time, leaves, pollen, bird droppings, tree sap, dust, and other debris can build up on top of solar panels resulting in reduced solar energy production. While this is often cleared away by rain, if the panels are visibly covered, it may be time to take a hose to the roof or get them professionally cleaned by your solar company. 

4 – Inspect Your Solar Meter

Solar meters and monitoring systems log solar PV system energy generations in real-time and compares this data against historical production records. If you have installed a solar meter for your system, check it often to catch any performance issues early on. 

5 – Talk To Your Solar Energy Company

While energy production is affected by high temperatures, dirt, shade, weather, and other factors, well-maintained solar panel systems pay for themselves over their lifetime. To ensure your system is working with optimum efficiency, talk to your solar energy provider at (707) 664-6450