Finding the Most Common Solar System Failures

No matter how good your solar system is, there are always things that can go wrong when it comes to using any kind of technology. Luckily, you’ll be able to get on top of it as fast as possible thanks to websites, apps, and e-mails from solar companies that inform you the second your solar panel system begins to drastically underperform. Keep reading this blog to learn exactly which failures are the most common and what can be done to fix them. Make sure these failures are fixed by a professional and that you use this blog as a guide for how to locate any issues that may be going on in your system. This blog is meant to help you inform a professional exactly what needs to be fixed, and it is not a suggestion that you should be the one fixing them by yourself.

Fixing ground faults.

• Use the correct crimping tool, per the manufacturer. Some crimping tools need to be calibrated or limit the number of crimps per inspection job.
• Ensure housing and gaskets are firmly seated around insulation. Ensure that the string wire connector housing is the correct size for the conductor insulation’s diameter.
• Avoid securing field connectors at a local low point in a wire run as this can cause water to hug the wire and lead toward connectors.
• Install connectors at the top or sides of module frames. Installing connectors at the lower of the frame where water collects is unsafe and could lead to electric shock.
• Secure both sides of each connector to prevent expansion stress.

System communication failures.

• Ensure notifications are properly set, including the threshold of upload attempts to prevent nuisance communication failure alarms.
• Ensure all components are installed correctly, as intermittent failures can be caused by loose connections or faulty wiring.
• Dedicate a circuit breaker to supply power to devices. It is simple to unplug communication devices if the power is outputted through a wall outlet.
• Have a clear protocol for the building’s IT personnel. Replacing a router will cause a disruption or failure for the distributed antenna system (DAS) system.
• On remote sites using cellular models, make sure there is a plan administrator who will remember to pay the bill!

Circuit string voltage failures.

• Verify all connectors are terminated properly. Ensure any field-installed module-to-module jumpers are installed properly.
• Avoid wire chaffing and ground faults by practicing appropriate wire management within the racking system. Look for pinched wires and wire insulation that is exposed to metal edges, which can cause both breakage and circuit transfer.
• Inspect module bypass diodes visually or with a thermal imaging camera.
• Utilize a string-level tester with insulation testing capabilities. This is how you will learn the vitals of your system, like Voc, Isc, Vmax, and Imax, and you’ll be able to test insulation at 500 V to 1,000 V.

Short circuits and module soiling.

• Inspect for module soiling.
• Verify all connectors are tight and making good contact. Current can pass through poor connections.

Inverter stops working.

• Do not power cycle an inverter if a problem occurs. Although power cycling can fix some inverter problems, it will not correctly identify the cause, and you’ll just be wasting your time.
• Log inverter fault codes and consult the operations’ manual. Call the manufacturer’s technical support, if needed. There, they can often teach you how to be better at looking out for and fixing field problems.

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