4 Signs Your Solar Panel Needs Servicing (And What to Do About It)

Signs Your Solar Panel Needs Servicing (And What to Do About It)

Spot the signs your solar panels need cleaning and repair! Learn quick fixes and when to call an expert, to boost your solar inverter efficiency today

               Photo credit: istockphotos

Solar panels are built to last, but like any high-performance system, they need regular care to work at their best. Ignoring small issues like dirt buildup, minor shading, or warning lights can grow into much bigger problems, such as a drop in energy production, higher electricity bills, and even costly repairs down the line.

Think of your solar system like a car: if you don't change the oil regularly, the engine begins to fail over time. The same goes for your solar panels. If you ignore them, their performance drops, and that small drop in efficiency now can cost you a lot tomorrow.

The good news? 

Many common solar panel problems are easy to spot if you know what to look for. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key warning signs that your system needs servicing, from failing inverters to draining batteries, and what you can do to fix them before they get worse.

Ready to protect your solar investment? Let’s get into it.

4 Common Signs Your Solar System Needs Servicing

1. Drop in Energy Production

Why is my solar system not producing enough power?

One of the most obvious red flags is when your solar panels suddenly generate less power than usual. If your electricity bills start rising  up despite sunny weather, it's time to investigate.

Possible Causes

• Dirty panels due to dust, pollen, or bird droppings blocking sunlight
• Shading issues from tree growth or debris casting shadows reduce the amount of sunlight the panels receive, thus decreasing their efficiency and power output.
• Wiring problems due to loose connections or corrosion in the system
• Inverter malfunction failing to convert DC to AC power efficiently

Quick Diagnostic Check

• Compare your current energy output to past performance using your solar monitoring app
• cut tree branches blocking sunlight 
• Look for gradual declines (natural degradation) vs sudden drops (indicates a problem)
• Check for error messages on your inverter display

Pro Tip: A 10-20% drop in production isn't always alarming (panels naturally degrade approximately 0.5% per year), but a sharp, unexpected decrease warrants immediate attention.

1. Physical Damage and Discoloration

Your solar panels are built to withstand harsh weather, but they’re not indestructible. Visible damage or unusual discoloration are clear signs your system needs professional attention.

Warning Signs to Look For

Cracks or microfractures, which are often times caused by falling branches or improper handling during installation. Even small cracks can reduce efficiency and lead to long-term damage.

Hotspots are darkened areas that feel unusually hot to the touch. These occur when certain cells overheat due to shading, manufacturing defects, or electrical resistance.

Yellowing or browning discoloration (especially in older panels) may indicate encapsulation degradation, where the protective EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) layer breaks down and reduces performance.

What You Should Do

1. For minor dirt or debris, gently clean panels with a soft brush and water (avoid harsh chemicals).
2. For cracks, hotspots, or discoloration, stop using the system immediately and contact a solar technician at HazonPower. These issues can worsen and even become fire hazards.

Pro Tip: Use a thermal imaging camera (some solar companies offer free inspections) to detect hidden hotspots before they cause major damage.

1. Strange Noises or Warning Lights

How to tell if your solar inverter is failing?

Your solar inverter is the control center of the whole system, and when there's a problem, it gives signs. Making unusual sounds and sending warning lights to notify you there's a problem that demands attention.

Red Flags You Can't Ignore

• Buzzing/Humming: A low hum is normal, but loud buzzing suggests loose components or electrical discharge.
• Blinking Error Lights: Most inverters display fault codes.
• Complete Silence: If your inverter's fan stops running entirely, it may have overheated and shut down.

Why This Happens:

• Capacitor failure (common in older inverters)
• Overheating from poor ventilation or direct sunlight exposure on the inverter.
• Grid voltage fluctuations triggering safety shutdowns

Do This NOW

1. Check for display codes
2. Reset the system, turn off the power for 5 minutes, then restart (solves 50% of glitches).
3. Feel the unit to see if it's really hot; turn it off and call a solar technician immediately.

Pro Tip: Inverters typically last 10-15 years. If yours is older and frequently has errors, replacement may be cheaper than repairs.

4. Rapid Battery Drain

What to do when solar batteries drain too fast?

When your solar battery loses its charge quickly, it can be very frustrating and not serve the purpose of energy independence. Common causes of rapid drain may include

• Aging or Damaged Batteries

• Faulty Charge Controller

• Excessive Energy Demand

• Extreme Temperatures

Immediate Actions to Take:

1. Check Battery Health
   • Use your solar monitoring app to track discharge rates.
   • For lead-acid batteries, test voltage with a multimeter (fully charged should read ~12.6V).

1. Inspect the Charge Controller
   • Look for error lights or irregular charging patterns.
   • Reset it by turning off the system for 5 minutes.
2. Audit Your Energy Usage
   • Identify power-hungry devices (e.g., AC, space heaters) running at night.
   • Consider upgrading battery capacity if demand consistently exceeds supply.
3. Call a Pro If:
   • Batteries are older than the warranty (typically 5–10 years).
   • You smell sulfur (rotting-egg odor = leaking lead-acid battery).

Preventive Maintenance Tips

A little proactive care can extend your solar system’s lifespan by years and maximize your energy savings. Follow these key strategies to avoid costly repairs:

1. Schedule Annual Professional Inspections

• Electrical connections (tightness, corrosion)
• Inverter health (error logs, cooling fans)
• Panel integrity (microcracks, delamination)
• Mounting hardware (looseness, rust)

2. Monitor System Performance Weekly

• Use your solar app to check for:
  • >10% output drops (vs. historical averages)
  • Battery irregularities (sudden voltage swings)
• Keep a log to spot gradual declines.

3. Protect Batteries from Extreme Temperatures

For lead-acid/lithium batteries

Protect Your Solar Investment

Your solar system is a long-term asset, but like any valuable equipment, it needs regular attention to perform at its best. By recognizing early warning signs like a drop in energy production, physical panel damage, inverter errors or strange noises, and rapid battery drain. You can address small issues before they become expensive headaches.

It’s smarter to prevent problems than run around to fix them

• Schedule annual checkups (even if nothing seems wrong).
• Clean panels seasonally (or after major storms).
• Monitor system data weekly—your solar app is your best diagnostic tool.

The bottom line? A 1-hour inspection or cleaning today could save you thousands in repairs tomorrow.

Noticed any of these signs? Don’t wait contact certified solar technician today for a full system evaluation