WHY ARE MY SOLAR PANELS UNDERPERFORMING - CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

Having solar panels is an effective and environmentally friendly way of generating your own electricity, particularly for off-grid use. However, they can sometimes underperform or not meet your energy production expectations. If your solar panels aren't performing as expected, here's a guide to understand why that might be and what can be done to remedy it.

1. Shading: Solar panels need direct sunlight to work at their maximum efficiency. Shadows from buildings, trees, or other obstacles can drastically reduce their output. Regularly checking for obstructions and removing anything that causes shading can improve your panels’ performance.

Solution: Ensure your panels are installed in an optimal location that receives direct sunlight for most of the day. If shadows can’t be avoided due to structural or environmental constraints, consider using solar trackers or adding more panels to compensate for the lost energy production.

2. Incorrect installation: Improper tilt angle, wrong direction, or poor wiring can all lead to underperforming solar panels.

Solution: Ensure your panels are installed correctly. Panels in the northern hemisphere should generally face south, and those in the southern hemisphere should face north. Depending on your location, the optimum tilt angle is roughly 30 to 45 degrees.

3. Dirt and Debris: Dust, leaves, bird droppings, and/or snow can accumulate on your solar panels and block the sunlight.

Solution: Regular cleaning is important for the maintenance of solar panels. However, always use appropriate cleaning methods to avoid causing any damage to the panels. We recommend a microfiber cloth and some water to clean and dry the panel(s). Do not use harsh chemicals on the face of your panels (glass cleaner, etc.).

4. Poor Quality or Age: Lower-quality panels or panels that are older can have decreased output.

Solution: Ensure that you invest in high-quality solar panels from reliable manufacturers. Although more expensive initially, these will typically perform better and last longer, providing a higher return on your investment. As for aging solar panels, after a 25-year period, a decrease in performance is to be expected. A solar panel replacement may be required at this point.

5. Equipment malfunction: Sometimes, the issue could be with the inverter, the charge controller, or the batteries rather than the panels themselves.

Solution: Regularly inspect and maintain your equipment. Keep a close eye on energy output to spot any problems early on. If a component is not working as it should, get a professional to diagnose it.