A Visual Troubleshooting Guide by Jeho Ashar Energy
When your solar system stops generating power — especially on a sunny day — it can be frustrating and disruptive. While solar panels are designed to last 20–25 years with minimal issues, several things can cause a drop in performance or a complete loss of power output.
At Jeho Ashar Energy Advantage, we want our clients to feel confident when identifying potential panel-related faults — and know when it’s time to call in a professional.
This guide outlines the most common causes of solar panel failure or low output, how to inspect them, and what steps to take next.
🌞 First, Confirm the Symptoms
If your system is:
Not producing electricity during the day
Not charging the battery
Showing 0W or “No PV Input” on the inverter or monitoring app
Producing far less than expected, even in sunlight
…then the issue may lie with the solar panels, cabling, or charge controller.
🔍 Common Reasons Why Solar Panels Stop Producing Power
1. 🧼 Dirt, Dust, or Debris on the Panels
How it affects:
Dust, bird droppings, leaves, or even pollen can block sunlight, leading to significant losses in energy production.
What to do:
Inspect panels from the ground (if safe).
Clean gently with water and a soft brush early in the morning or late evening.
Avoid harsh chemicals or pressure washers.
Pro Tip: Panels in dusty or humid areas should be cleaned every 2–4 weeks.
2. 🌳 Shading from Trees, Buildings, or Antennas
How it affects:
Even partial shading can reduce a whole panel string’s output, especially in systems without MLPEs (optimizers/microinverters).
What to do:
Observe panel area during sunlight hours to detect any moving shadows.
Consider trimming trees or relocating antennas.
Ask Jeho Ashar about shade-tolerant designs and panel optimization.
3. 🔌 Loose or Damaged Wiring
How it affects:
If PV cables are:
Disconnected
Eaten by rodents
Poorly installed or corroded
…your panels won’t transmit power to the inverter.
What to do:
Look for any exposed or hanging wires (from a safe distance).
Check for signs of rust, burnt smell, or melted insulation.
Do not touch — call a certified installer like Jeho Ashar immediately.
4. ⚡ Faulty PV Combiner Box or Isolator Switch
How it affects:
These boxes protect and control solar panel connections. If a fuse is blown or the DC isolator switch is OFF, panels can’t send power.
What to do:
Check if the PV breaker is ON.
If unsure, leave it to professionals — handling live DC can be dangerous.
5. 💥 Damaged or Faulty Panels
How it affects:
Panels can crack due to hail, heavy objects, poor installation, or manufacturing defects. Damaged cells reduce or stop power generation.
What to do:
Visually inspect for cracks, burns, or delamination.
If one panel fails in a string, others may be affected.
Jeho Ashar offers panel testing and replacements under warranty if applicable.
6. 🔋 Battery or Inverter Issues Affecting PV Input
Sometimes, the panels are working — but another part of the system is causing the issue.
For example:
A full battery may stop panel charging
A faulty charge controller may block solar input
Inverter errors may shut off PV tracking
What to do:
Review your monitoring app (Deye Portal, Victron VRM, etc.)
Check for inverter messages like:
“Battery Full – No Charge”
“No PV Detected”
“Overvoltage/Undervoltage”
🧠 How Jeho Ashar Diagnoses Panel Faults
We use professional tools to:
🧪 Test voltage and current from each panel/string
🔍 Inspect with thermal imaging to detect hot spots or cracked cells
⚙️ Evaluate shading and system design performance
📈 Review long-term production data from your monitoring system
🔧 Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Solar Panel Faults
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Monthly panel cleaning | Maintains optimal sunlight absorption |
| Routine inspections | Identifies early signs of wear, pests, or shading |
| Surge protection | Prevents lightning-related damage |
| Monitoring app setup | Enables real-time fault detection |
| Proper installation & maintenance | Avoids long-term degradation and early failure |
📞 Call Jeho Ashar Energy Advantage When You Notice:
Zero solar input during daylight
Inverter says “No PV” or “PV Error”
Abnormal panel discoloration, burns, or cracking
Your system is producing far less power than expected
We’ll respond promptly with:
🛠️ On-site troubleshooting
🔍 Panel inspection and fault isolation
⚡ Replacement of faulty parts
📶 Monitoring setup for remote support
✅ Final Thoughts
When your solar panels aren’t producing power, the cause might be simple — like dust — or more technical, like wiring or component failure. Either way, early detection is key to avoiding power loss and system damage.
Trust Jeho Ashar Energy to get your solar system running at full capacity — safely, efficiently, and with lasting results.
👉 Book a solar system health check today or call our team for urgent assistance.
