How Do You Know If Solar Panels Are Working

The inverter is the first place to check to make sure your solar energy system is working properly.

How do you know if solar panels are working. In this kind of system if a single panel isn t working the whole string goes down kind of like if you cover half the panel on a solar calculator with your finger the calculator won t work. Look at the figures on your generation meter. A simple health check is to look at the colour of the lights shining on the box during daylight hours when the system s meant to be running. Most generation meters will have some sort of indication light that will let you know instantly if your system is not functioning correctly.

24 7 real time monitoring the solar analytics smart monitor keeps track of your solar energy system s performance in real time live five second data and measures against a number of benchmarks including local weather data. Your inverter makes the direct current dc produced by your solar panels useable as alternating current ac for your home. How do i detect if my panels are working properly. What matters is how much sun your home gets year round.

While solar panels work on cloudy and rainy days their output won t match that on clear sunny days. When it s overcast your solar panels will likely operate at 10 to 25 of their rated capacity. This loss of power can also be experienced if a couple of your panels are extra dirty or shaded. A green light on your inverter means your system is functioning properly.

If solar panels are the brawn of your solar energy system then the inverter is the brain. But don t get stuck on this detail.