1. Increased Electricity Bill

If you notice a sudden increase in your electricity bill, or if your electricity bills do not decrease at all after installation, this may be a sign that your solar panels are not working properly. Although you can expect your electricity bill to fluctuate from month to month, over time you will notice a decrease in your electricity bill thanks to your solar panels. Therefore, if you see an increase in cost, it is best to check the entire panel system.

Additionally, if you don’t see any reduction in your utility bills, that’s also a good sign that the panels were not installed properly to begin with. Keeping a careful eye on your utility bills is a great way to detect problems early and save money in the long run. If you are concerned, contact your solar installation company to come and check it out.

2. Inverter Shows Red or Orange Light

If your solar panel system’s inverter displays a red or orange light, don’t ignore it. These lights warn you that there is a problem with your panel system. The inverter is responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that you can then use in your home. A red or orange light on the inverter indicates a problem within the system, such as the panels, cables, or inverter unit.

Ignoring the warning sign can lead to more costly problems with your system’s performance. This not only means you’ll pay more on your monthly electric bill, but it also means you could end up costing more in repairs. If you see this red light, again contact your solar company.

3. Weather and Production Don’t Match

Pay more attention to weather reports in your area because keeping up with the weather can tell you a lot about the performance of your solar panel. On sunny days with clear skies, you should have optimum energy production as the panels can efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. However, if you notice a consistent pattern of low energy production on sunny days, this is a good indication that your solar panels are not working effectively.

Cloudy or overcast days and extreme weather events such as storms or heavy snowfall can disrupt energy production. You’ll probably notice a decrease in energy output, but it usually won’t be a complete reduction. Monitoring the performance of your solar panel system in different weather conditions can help you identify potential problems.

4. Sun Meter Not Increasing

Your solar meter should provide alerts or readings that let you know if your panels are working as they should. Check the kilowatt-hour totals of your solar meter, which measures the energy produced by your solar panels. When the total kilowatt hours increases, the panels are working. But if the number stays the same, decreases, or increases only slightly, there may be a problem. You also need to be able to compare solar meter readings with previous periods. Be sure to monitor your solar meter regularly to detect increases or decreases in energy production.