Have you installed solar panels on your roof? Or are you researching to install them? If yes, you should understand when your solar panels are working or when they are not.
Monitoring components like inverter efficiency and checking on the weather need to become a habit. In this article, we will take you through a few things to know when checking your solar panels’ output.
Are Your Solar Panels Working Well?
Solar can be intimidating if you don’t have the right information. Although quality solar panels are worry-free, you still have to know a few things about the system. Some of this information includes:
1. Checking the Weather
By now, you know solar panels rely on sunlight to convert it to energy. In cases where it rains or gets cloudy, the output of your solar panels will be affected. During cloudy days, the overall production is about 10% to 25% of the rated efficiency.
Cloudy days are common, so what you can focus on is the general output year-round. Also, most panels are built in a way they can withstand all seasons.
2. Examine Your Solar Meter
If you want to know how well your solar panel system is working, you can look at the installed solar meter. You will understand its effectiveness in providing energy for your home. Typically, the meter displays kilowatts per hour as it cycles different screens. When you notice the kWh are increasing, this indicates that the PVs are working as they should.
3. Don't Electricity Bill as an Indicator
Most energy companies provide a way of monitoring your system. However, your electricity bill might be unreliable because it doesn’t show the total amount of energy your PV system produced. It does not indicate how much energy was used in the house, only the total amount you exported to the grid.
Suppose something goes wrong with the system, the grid steps in to provide electricity. It can take about three months to get your electricity bill, which is a long time for you not to know about your system’s status.
You can check your system’s data regularly to know how well it is performing. If you have a digital screen on your inverter, you can see your solar panel’s data. Also, you can have an online account connected to your inverter.
The inverter displays the amount of energy you supply to the grid or your house in kilowatt. It also shows the total energy produced for the day in kilowatt-hours. You can check this number when it gets dark.
4. Check the Inverter
The inverter is at the center of your solar panel’s production. Some inverters work better than others. Also, most homeowners avoid going near the inverters. If you want to know how the solar panel system is working, you need to do a simple health check on the inverter. First, you check its color.
Normally, you do this during the day when the system is running. In case you see a red or orange color on the inverter, you should look for an error code on display. You should also call an installer to check on the system.
If the voltage is too high or too low, it can cause an inverter to shut down. There could also be an issue with the circuit breaker or an earthing problem.
5. Regulate Check-up Maintenance
Ideally, installing solar panels should eliminate or drastically reduce your electricity bill. Though this system may require little maintenance, it is advisable to have it checked once in a while to maintain production.
It is also essential to clean your solar panels regularly. You should wipe off dirt and dust that can affect the general output of the system. You can do so two or three times a year to ensure your solar panels are working well.
When installing solar panels, you are given a user manual. In it, you will find general information about your solar panels, such as the estimated production. You can use it as a guide to assess how well your system is working.
Remember, your system may not work 100% percent. Conditions such as high temperatures, solar panels’ orientation, and system losses can affect the efficiency. Additionally, clouds or rainy days will significantly reduce the amount of energy harnessed in a day.
Dirt on the panels or shading around the system can also affect production. That said, an excellent solar panel generates enough energy when installed correctly and maintained well. You can contact Dynamic Slr for seamless solar panel installation in Texas. We get our solar products from the top brands; therefore, quality is not a gamble.
Take Away
Are you looking for a solar installation company in Texas? Get in touch with Dynamic Slr for a seamless transition from conventional electricity. We have a team of professional installers who will guide you through the process.
