Do your solar panels need fixing? Are you concerned that your solar panel system is underperforming and you suspect that there's a fault in the panels?
The Skylamp Solar solar panel engineers know all there is to know about the subject, and we offer a first-class solar panel fault-finding and repair service.
When you've invested so much, it's essential that any faults are discovered and fixed quickly. Solar panels are a good way to save money on energy bills, but only if the system works efficiently. And when the system breaks down or efficiency is lower than expected it is no longer cost-effective.
So, what can go wrong, and what will Skylamp Solar do about it? Let's find out.
On the whole, solar panels are robust, well-built and will last for many years. The average warranty these days is between twenty-five and thirty years.
They are designed to be low-maintenance and to perform at peak efficiency (around 90%) for at least ten years, falling to 80% for the remaining time.
Sadly, that doesn't mean that they are immune to damage or faults.
As most solar panels are situated on a roof, it's unlikely that you'll be aware of any physical damage or obvious faults unless you climb up to take a look. The first you'll know about it is when power generation drops drastically, or you realise that there's not enough power coming through to run your household appliances.
Here are some common problems that Skylamp Solar engineers have to deal with:
Solar panels are basically a sandwich of glass, metal and plastic. The outer surface (encapsulant) is sealed, but occasionally it can lift away, allowing moisture inside.
The internal components will eventually start to rust, affecting the way the panel performs. And as the damage is on the underside, people don't usually see it until it's too late. The problem usually starts in a corner or at one edge and works its way across the panel.
This happens because of poor manufacturing standards, mishandling during transit and installation, or a combination of them all. Also, extreme heat can be a factor, which is why this problem is common in tropical climates.
The Skylamp Solar team will check for this problem and fix the panel if possible, otherwise, they will need to replace it. The fact is that unless we catch this issue very early on, there's little hope of repairing the damage. This highlights the need for regular inspection and maintenance work.
Most commonly from falling debris, such as tree branches. Birds can also damage your solar panels by nesting beneath them, or even on top!
We will clear away any old nesting material (it is illegal to disturb nesting birds), check the mounts and fixtures, and examine the panels to assess any damage. Unfortunately, if there are cracks in the panel surface it may not be possible to repair them. However, the mounts can easily be repaired or replaced.
As for nesting birds, the best deterrent is to install wire mesh or bird spikes. We have a post entitled “how much does it cost to pigeon proof solar panels” if you want to read more.
These usually happen as a result of mishandling the panels while in transit, or poor workmanship in the factory.
However, they don't always cause problems and the panels may work perfectly anyway. The trouble only begins if the cracks grow bigger and interfere with the connections inside the panels. This stops the flow of electricity from that section, resulting in a loss of output, so your solar panel system won't be running efficiently.
The cracks are usually too small to detect by human eye, and it often takes a solar panel repair professional to identify the issue.
As there's very little electrical wiring with solar thermal, this problem is more likely to affect solar PV and hybrid solar systems. If the wiring has been damaged or installed incorrectly, your system will suffer and electricity generation will be drastically reduced - or may stop altogether.
Loose wiring can also cause problems, interrupting the DC voltage charge from the solar panel to the inverter.
Our engineers will check the wiring for any issues and ensure that it is installed properly and working as it should.
Hot spots occur when a small section of a panel overheats, usually due to a manufacturing fault that causes a bad connection. The electrical charge is generated but can't escape, creating a short circuit that makes the area heat up.
An accumulation of dirt and debris (including leaves, moss and bird droppings) or constant partial shading can also cause hot spots. This is very bad news for your solar panels, as a persistent short circuit will eventually damage the entire panel and affect your system's output.
Once again, it usually takes an expert to find this problem.
Skylamp Solar solar panel experts will check each one for damage, but the best way to discover the problem is to test the entire solar power system. We will examine the inverter and take note of any error code showing, and check any other equipment for faults.
If we discover hot spots in a panel, it will have to be replaced to ensure that your solar panel system performs as it should.
You can help by keeping a close eye on the data from your solar generation meter and inverter, and by having your panels cleaned fairly frequently.
You might notice silvery lines across your panels (if you are able to reach them safely!) that resemble the trails left by slugs and snails. However, these lines are often associated with micro-cracks or delamination (as mentioned above), although they can appear as a result of impact on the panel.
These marks only usually appear on older systems after several years, by which time it could be too late to save the panel.
If you're lucky, your solar system will work perfectly well for years without any noticeable effect on performance. On the other hand, as they can indicate the presence of micro-cracks and delamination, there's a risk that your panel will fail.
The Skylamp Solar solar panel system repairs team will inspect any panels with snail trails (also known as worm marks) and check for signs of delamination or micro-cracks.
Although most modern solar panels have a lifespan of in excess of 25 years, they gradually become less efficient as they degrade over time.
This is reflected in the warranty and acknowledged by the manufacturers, so customers must expect this. Even so, the loss is typically only a drop from 90% to 80% efficiency.
If your system suddenly drops below this, it could be down to PID.
This technical issue only affects photovoltaic panels, as it relates to the earthing of the system. A solar PV system must be earthed for safety reasons. Sometimes, there's a vast difference between the voltage generated by the panels and the earthing charge.
So called stray circuits occur - a sudden partial discharge of voltage to the main circuit. This almost always results in a loss of output.
Like some of the other issues here, it takes a specialist to recognise whether PID is affecting solar systems. The first sign would be a dramatic downturn in output that steadily declines over time.
Our engineers will take the following action:
Once again, this highlights the need for anyone with photovoltaic panels to closely monitor their solar system. The sooner we can catch a problem, the easier it is to fix it!
Although solar panels are described as 'self-cleaning', they still need a helping hand at times, particularly if there are a lot of trees around the immediate area or if you are in a coastal region.
Heavy soiling can lead to permanent damage, so it's best to have your solar panel system cleaned at least a couple of times a year to stop dirt and debris accumulating. Excessive amounts of bird droppings and wet leaves will significantly affect how much energy your panels generate and stop them running cost-effectively.
The problem can be much worse in winter with PV systems as electricity generation will be down. You may not be able to run all of your appliances, and if you use a battery to store energy to be sold back to the grid then your passive income will be severely limited - or even cancelled out completely.
It's a similar story with solar thermal systems; without adequate output, you'll be relying more on your supplier, meaning higher energy bills.
While keeping your panels clean can't be classed as 'repair', it's still a real problem for some people and it needs attention.
Skylamp Solar solar panel specialists will always check to see if your panels need cleaning when we perform repairs or maintenance. We can also arrange a cleaning schedule to keep your solar system running properly if you wish.
Even though solar panels come with long warranties, we strongly recommend that you consider regular solar panel maintenance work.
The secret to making your solar panels work for you is to keep them in excellent condition for as long as possible. It's a balancing act, as you need to be sure that your system is cost-effective and that you are getting a return on your investment.
That's why Skylamp Solar is the right choice; with competitive pricing and a highly efficient team, we will never perform any unnecessary work and will always strive to keep your solar panels running at peak performance.
Even if you have a new system, it's a good idea to arrange an annual inspection and maintenance schedule for your peace of mind.
It all depends on the problem and the measures required to fix it.
Although Skylamp Solar engineers carry certain spare parts, we may need to order some parts as there are many different solar panel brands, each with their own price bands.
Rather than offering vague figures, it's best if you contact us with a specific issue. If you're not sure what the problem is (which is often the case!), we are happy to inspect your whole solar thermal system to discover what the problem is.
Either way, we can give you a personal quote when we have worked out what the problem is and what action we need to take.
On balance, it costs less to maintain solar panels rather than having to try to fix them at a later date. Solar panel maintenance and annual inspection are essential to the long life of your solar array, and will help them to deliver the best performance.
It's important to stress that solar panels are a good investment; they save money on energy bills and help you to become energy independent. They also reduce your carbon footprint by at least 13%, and as technology advances, they will deliver even better benefits.
They are also low-maintenance and should last for many years, and all of the problems mentioned here are pretty rare. Some will only be an issue with cheaper brands while others can be avoided through careful monitoring of the system and by a sensible approach to maintenance.
The trick is to invest in a good quality system, use a trusted, professional company to have it installed and have the system cleaned and inspected about once a year.
Skylamp Solar can help on all of these counts, helping you to make the most of your solar panels.
So, if you are experiencing problems with your panels, or you need advice about installation, call us today and we'll guide you along every step of the way.
The most common solar panel problem is hot spots, a part of the panel gets hotter than the rest. If the power inside cannot get through the pathways it gets hotter.
Potential induced PID caused by leaks down through the ground earth, hot spots caused by faulty cells and pathways, cracks within the cells resulting in a poor energy conversion rate.
It is rare that a solar panel can be repaired as it is a sealed unit but we can diagnose the faulty panel or other part of your system and replace those parts.
Yes you can retrofit new solar panels to replace aged or damaged solar panels as long as the frequency matches.
