Is my solar system underperforming?
Compare what your system produced with what it should produce for your town, size and season.
How to check
Take your daily kWh from the inverter app on a clear day and enter it into our health check. Under 85% of expected is worth a look; under 65% usually means something is wrong.
Common causes
- Dirty or dusty panels.
- New shade from trees or buildings.
- Winter sun and weather.
- The inverter limiting output because the battery is full and loads are low.
- A faulty string of panels.
What you can do safely
- Rinse dusty panels with a garden hose from the ground.
- Check the app for fault codes.
- Check the Wi-Fi dongle so the readings are up to date.
- If output stays low on sunny days, get an installer to check it.
Solar systems carry dangerous voltages. Only do the safe checks listed. If unsure, call a pro.
Common questions
- Why does my system produce less when the battery is full?
- With nowhere to send the energy, a non-exporting inverter reduces solar output. That's normal, not a fault.
- How often should panels be cleaned?
- In dusty areas every few months; after good rain often not at all. Always clean from the ground.