Have you noticed a sudden spike in energy bills? Has your green energy production dipped? These are common signs that your solar panels might not be working to their full potential. This could be an easy fix, but it might indicate something more serious.
Many signs can indicate a hiccup in your solar panel system, but if you want to be sure that your solar panels are working correctly, you should pay close attention to your solar meter. The screen should be clearly visible and display a steady rise in energy production.
But what if the solar meter appears fine? Not to panic. If your meter is working but you’re still concerned that your solar panels might not be, our solar panel maintenance experts can look for other signs that could indicate an issue – we’ve been installing and maintaining solar panels since 2011.
Our guide walks you through simple steps to check on your panels and spot any issues before they become costly problems.
Ways to check if your solar PV system is working
If you think your solar PV system is on the blink, it’s time to take a closer look.
Some faults are easy to spot, like an overgrown tree, while others require a little more digging. Below, we show you how to check if you have a real problem with your solar system. And if you do spot something out of the ordinary, our team at Going Green Renewables is here to help – just give us a call.
So, let’s get into it.
Check the solar meter
One of the first steps you can take to determine whether you have working solar panels is to check your system’s output on the solar generation meter. This is the display panel that shows how much energy your solar PV system produces.
Many modern solar panel systems have monitoring apps that will send a notification alerting you to any problems with your solar production. However, you can also check the display panel yourself. The meter should be clear to read and show a steady increase in how much electricity is being produced. There is usually an indicator light that flashes as your green energy production rises.
If you don’t get a notification or there is a problem with the solar meter display, then you might be taking more energy from the National Grid. This could indicate that you have a problem with your solar panels.
Check the solar inverter
A solar inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity from solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity to power your home, since you can’t use the DC electricity directly.
If you have a solar inverter installed, you can use it to monitor the generation of renewable energy for your property. This helps you pick up on any lacking solar power production. If the lights on your solar inverter are showing anything other than green, this could indicate a potential issue within your solar system. That could be the inverter itself, wiring issues, or something else preventing the solar inverter from doing its job effectively.
Many modern solar systems have an app that connects to the inverter to help you monitor changes easily from your phone.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for and what it means:
| Signs from your inverter that your solar panels are working properly: | Signs from your inverter that your solar panels have a problem: |
| A green light or “normal operation” message | A red or orange fault light |
| A display showing power generation (W or kW) | An error message |
| Daily energy production (kWh) | Zero output during a sunny day |
Review your energy consumption
Many modern homes opt for a smart electricity meter to track the energy performance in their home. If you have one of these handy tools, you can keep a close eye on how much energy your home requires from the National Grid. Usually, with a solar installation, you could save up to a tonne of carbon each year – depending on where you live, of course.
If you notice you’re relying on grid energy more than usual, this could be a clear sign that your solar panels are struggling to produce energy.
Compare your electricity bills
While it is normal in the UK for solar panel performance to drop a little during cloudy weather and winter, a sudden or significant increase in electricity usage could indicate a potential problem.
Your electricity bills can often tell you more than you realise. If your solar panels work fine, you should need less electricity from the National Grid, resulting in a smaller bill. So, if your energy usage habits haven’t changed but your bills have suddenly doubled in price, it could be a sign that your solar PV system isn’t generating as much power as it should.
Of course, energy prices can fluctuate, so it’s worth looking beyond the total cost and checking how many units of electricity you’re actually using. If you’re importing more electricity than normal, it’s worth investigating further.
Here are two good signs that your solar system is doing its job:
- You use less grid energy during daylight hours and sunny months
- You notice you’re saving money on electricity
Visually inspect the solar panels
Sometimes a simple visual check is enough to spot an issue. It’s good to do visual inspections of your solar panels every couple of months, and after any bad weather. That way, if you notice any damage or obstruction, you can get a professional to fix it before it leads to a bigger problem.
Take a look at your solar panels from ground level and see if anything looks unusual. Look out for obvious signs of damage, such as cracked glass, loose panels, discolouration, debris build-up, or anything casting a shadow over the system. You should also keep an eye out for overgrown trees, heavy bird droppings, or nesting birds underneath the panels, as these can all affect performance over time.
If you spot anything that looks suspicious, contact a qualified solar installer who can assess the system safely. Never climb onto your roof yourself.
Contact your solar installer
Whether a lack of solar power or a flashing light has you questioning if your solar panels are working, you should contact a trusted solar company to confirm. They will be able to assess your panels and determine the right course of action to fix the issue. Our solar panel services include a 5-year guarantee to give you peace of mind and assurance that you’ll be covered should you experience any further issues.
Need to contact a solar specialist? At Going Green Renewables, we provide fast and effective solar panel maintenance and replacement services. Contact us today and we’ll have you back up and running in no time!
Common solar panel faults
Now you understand how to know if your solar panels are working, let’s take a closer look at the root cause of the problem.
Solar panel issues we see usually come down to one (or more) of three things:
1 – Solar panel obstructions
It isn’t always a technical fault that causes your solar output to decrease. Sometimes, it can be as simple as leaves, trees, bird droppings blocking sunlight, or pigeons nesting under the panels.
While solar panels generally require very little maintenance, you should still take care of them throughout the seasons. This requires regular cleaning, cutting trees back, and putting measures in place to prevent animals from setting up camp under your solar panels.
2 – Wiring issues
A full solar panel system requires a fair bit of wiring, which can become worn out over time and develop poor connections. Faulty wiring is another solar panel issue to look out for, which is why it is important to work with an accredited solar panel installer.
3 – Corrosion
If you live in a particularly polluted area or face severely bad weather, over time, your solar panels could bear the brunt of these conditions. Corrosion is a common problem in solar panels. While their materials are built to last, regular cleaning and periodic maintenance are always good if you’re worried about your solar panels lasting in adverse conditions.
Struggling with an underperforming solar panel system? Get in touch!
Higher electricity bills, a lack of solar energy production, and physical damage are all signs that your solar PV system might need some TLC. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Going Green Renewables.
We’re experienced solar installers serving customers in Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire. Our services cover everything from solar panel installation to solar battery storage, EV chargers, and more. We also provide maintenance, so you have peace of mind that your solar investment will keep your property running for years to come.
If you suspect your solar panels aren’t generating electricity, give us a call on 01252 560 587 or fill out our contact form for a free quote.
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Frequently asked questions about checking solar panel performance
Is a generation meter the same as a solar meter?
There are different types of generation meters for different renewable energy systems. But in the context of solar panels, yes, a solar generation meter is the same as a solar meter. The phrases may just get used interchangeably.
Your generation meter records how much electricity your solar panels have produced over time. This helps you to monitor the performance of your solar PV system and identify any unexpected drops in energy generation. If you have a modern system, this information may be displayed through an online monitoring platform or mobile app instead of a separate physical meter.
Is my solar meter separate to my electric meter?
Yes, in both what it does and where it’s located. Your solar generation meter should be located near the fuse box or solar inverter. It measures the electricity produced by your solar panels, while your electricity meter records how much electricity your property imports from or exports to the grid.
If you have a smart meter installed, some of this information may be available in one place. However, the two devices perform different jobs and track different parts of your energy usage. When we install solar panels for customers, we always walk them through the different technology available so they feel confident using and monitoring their solar system.
How do I know when it is working at peak performance?
Solar panels produce the most electricity during the day (particularly on sunny days), when they have clear access to strong, direct sunlight. The exact output will vary depending on the time of year, weather conditions, roof orientation, and the size of your system. For most UK homes, solar production tends to peak around the middle of the day during spring and summer.
The easiest way to understand whether your system is performing well is to compare current generation against previous days with similar weather conditions. If you have a monitoring app, this becomes easier, and you can also set up alerts to notify you when energy drops more than expected.