If you already have solar panels, you may occasionally wonder whether they are generating as much energy as they should. Solar panel performance naturally changes throughout the day and across the seasons. Therefore, seeing lower generation does not automatically mean there is a problem.
However, knowing what to look for can help you spot unusual changes early. Your monitoring app, inverter and electricity usage can all provide useful information about how your system is performing.
At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we install solar PV and battery storage systems across Blackpool, Poulton le Fylde, Thornton Cleveleys, Lytham St Annes, Preston and surrounding areas. Here are some of the main ways you can keep an eye on your solar system.
What affects solar panel performance?
Solar panels generate electricity from daylight. As a result, their output will constantly change depending on the conditions outside.
For example, you would normally expect much stronger generation on a bright summer afternoon than on a dark winter morning. Cloud cover, shading, the position of the sun and the length of the day can all affect generation.
The orientation and pitch of your panels also matter. In addition, every property has different surrounding buildings, trees and potential sources of shading.
Therefore, it is better to understand the normal performance of your own system rather than compare one day’s generation directly with somebody else’s.
Check your solar monitoring app
One of the easiest ways to check solar panel performance is through your monitoring system.
Modern solar installations often provide an app or online portal where you can view information about your system. Depending on your equipment, this may show how much electricity your panels are currently generating and how much they have generated over a day, month or year.
If you have battery storage, you may also be able to see energy moving between your solar panels, battery, home and the electricity grid.
This information can be particularly useful because you can start to recognise your system’s usual patterns.
For example, generation should normally rise during the morning, reach its strongest point around the brighter part of the day and then fall as daylight reduces. However, weather conditions can make the graph much less consistent.
Compare your generation over time
Looking at one cloudy day will not tell you very much about the overall health of your solar system.
Instead, look at performance over a longer period.
If your monitoring app stores historical information, compare similar periods where possible. For example, comparing October generation with June generation would not give you a particularly useful result because daylight conditions are completely different.
However, a significant and unexplained reduction compared with similar conditions may deserve further investigation.
Remember that weather varies from year to year too. Therefore, even comparing the same month across two years will not always produce identical figures.
Is lower generation always a problem?
No. There are many completely normal reasons why your solar generation may appear lower.
Cloud, rain, shorter winter days and temporary shading can all reduce output. Likewise, the time you check your monitoring app makes a significant difference.
Solar panels do not need hot weather to operate. In fact, solar PV technology converts light into electricity rather than relying on heat.
Consequently, a cold but bright day can still provide useful solar generation.
Want us to take a look at your solar requirements?
West Coast Electrical & Renewables installs solar PV and battery storage systems across Blackpool and the wider Lancashire area.
Check your solar inverter
Your inverter plays an essential role within a solar PV system. It converts the DC electricity generated by the solar panels into AC electricity that your property can use.
Many inverters have status lights, screens or monitoring systems that indicate whether the equipment is operating normally.
If your inverter displays a warning message or fault code, do not simply reset equipment repeatedly without understanding the cause. Instead, check the manufacturer’s guidance or contact a suitably qualified solar professional.
A warning does not necessarily mean there is a serious fault. However, it is worth investigating, particularly if your monitoring system also shows that generation has stopped.
What if my monitoring app shows zero generation?
Firstly, consider the time of day.
Zero generation overnight is completely normal. Similarly, generation can become very low during poor daylight conditions.
However, if your system consistently shows no generation during daylight hours, particularly on a bright day, it may need checking.
Sometimes the issue can relate to monitoring rather than the solar panels themselves. For example, an app may temporarily lose its internet connection even though the solar PV system continues operating.
Therefore, it is important to establish whether the system has actually stopped generating or whether you simply cannot see the data.
What about battery storage?
If your property has solar battery storage, the monitoring information can become even more useful.
A battery can store electricity for use later, depending on the system settings, available capacity and how much energy your home needs.
Many modern battery systems also allow homeowners to use time of use electricity tariffs. For example, some people choose to charge their battery from the grid during cheaper tariff periods and use that stored electricity later.
However, tariff rates and availability vary between energy suppliers. Therefore, it is important to check the current terms offered by your chosen provider.
At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we work with established battery manufacturers including AlphaESS and Tesla. The right battery arrangement will depend on the property, existing solar system, electricity consumption and what the homeowner wants to achieve.
Can shading affect my solar panels?
Yes. Shading can have an impact on solar panel performance.
Trees, neighbouring buildings, chimneys and other structures can create shade at different points throughout the day. Additionally, the effect can change throughout the year because the sun sits at different heights in the sky.
This is one reason why professional solar design is so important.
Before installing a solar PV system, installers should consider factors such as roof orientation, available space, shading and expected system performance.
Rather than simply fitting as many panels as possible, a solar system should be designed around the individual property.
Should I clean my solar panels?
Solar panels are designed for outdoor use and generally require relatively little maintenance. Rainfall can help remove some surface dirt.
However, dirt, debris and bird fouling can sometimes build up and potentially affect performance.
You should not climb onto a roof to inspect or clean solar panels yourself. Working at height carries significant risks. If you believe your panels require inspection or specialist cleaning, use an appropriate professional service.
How can I tell if something has actually gone wrong?
The most useful approach is to understand what is normal for your system.
A sudden change is usually more noticeable when you regularly check your monitoring data. For example, you might notice that generation has completely stopped, an inverter warning has appeared or your system is behaving very differently despite similar weather conditions.
At that point, further investigation may be sensible.
However, avoid judging your system based solely on one day’s figures. Solar generation naturally fluctuates, sometimes significantly.
Solar panels and battery storage in Blackpool and Lancashire
A well designed solar system should take your property, roof, electricity consumption and future requirements into account.
At West Coast Electrical & Renewables, we install solar PV and battery storage across Blackpool, Poulton le Fylde, Thornton Cleveleys, Lytham St Annes, Preston and surrounding areas.
We are MCS certified and RECC members. We can design new solar installations as well as discuss battery storage and wider renewable energy requirements.
Most importantly, we take an individual approach to each property rather than assuming the same system will suit every household.
Thinking about solar panels or battery storage?
Whether you are considering solar for the first time or looking at battery storage alongside your energy system, we can discuss the options available for your property.
