Support Articles

In moderate climates, dust can reduce output by 10%; in arid regions, losses may exceed 40%.

Fix: Gently clean panels with a soft brush and hose when visibly dusty—prioritize cleaning during dry seasons.

Modern solar panels are highly shade-sensitive. Even partial shade on one panel can cut the output of an entire string by 30-50% if your system lacks module-level power electronics (e.g., microinverters or optimizers).

Fix: Trim back new tree growth or remove objects casting shadows on the panel array.

2. Seasonal & Environmental Factors

Solar output naturally fluctuates with external conditions and time:

Seasonal changes: 

Output peaks in spring (optimal sun angle + cool temperatures) and dips in winter (fewer daylight hours, low sun angle) or summer (excessive heat reduces panel efficiency).

Temperature effects: 

High heat degrades panel performance—even on sunny summer days, scorching temperatures can lower output.

Natural degradation: 

Solar panels typically lose ~0.5% efficiency annually (normal wear). However, research shows ~20% of panels degrade twice as fast. If your system is several years old, this gradual decline may contribute to lower production.

3. Inverter Issues (System "Brain")

The inverter is critical to energy conversion—always check its status first:

Basic status check: 

1). A solid green/blue light indicates normal operation. A red light or error code signals a problem; zero production on a sunny day points to a significant issue.

2). Troubleshooting steps: Reboot the inverter: Turn it off, wait 1 minute, then power it back on (resolves most "offline" or low-production issues).

3). Check your breaker box for tripped PV circuit breakers and reset if necessary.

4. Mismatched or Faulty Components

Underperformance may stem from system design or component defects:

1). "Christmas Light Effect": Systems with central inverters (not microinverters) operate like old Christmas lights— the lowest-performing panel limits the output of the entire string. Upgrading to module-level power electronics can fix this.

Infant mortality: A small percentage of panels fail prematurely (within the first few years) due to hidden manufacturing defects, potentially losing nearly half their output by year 25.

2). Wiring/connection issues: Loose or faulty DC connections create resistance, lowering voltage and overall system power output.