Solar panels are designed to work evenly and without any interruption for many years. They produce clean and green energy by harnessing the power of the sun. However, sometimes solar panels may start getting problems and don’t produce any power. These issues can be easily fixed by simple troubleshooting techniques which are discussed in this article.
If the solar panel is not producing any power, then it may be due to the faulty inverter, charge controller, or the solar panel itself. All three fault diagnoses with troubleshooting steps are given as follows:
Troubleshooting Solar Panels
Solar panels are the major component of a solar system, converting sunlight into DC power. However, if they do not work properly then the solar system will not produce any output power. Here are some easy steps that you can perform to fix faults related to solar panels:
Step 1: Check for Wiring, Cables & Connectors
Visually inspect the entire system for any physical damage or accidental disconnection. Trace out the individual branch wiring by going backward from the main junction box. Look out for any loose or dirty connection. Properly tighten any loose connectors and clean the dirty connection as needed. Identify any broken or damaged wiring, and replace it with cables of the same rating. Also, check the connections between the solar panel modules, they may become loose or rusted due to exposure to heat and moisture.
Step 2: Check the Breaker, Switches & Fuses
A tripped breaker or blown fuse can cause no power at the output. Therefore, one of the initial stages in diagnosing the issue with the solar panels should be to inspect the breaker switches. The switch can be tripped by overloads, surges, or errors, preventing the system from generating electricity and supplying it to the appliances. The solution is to reset the tripped breaker and switches; replace the blown fuses.
Step 3: Check the Solar Panel Modules
Although solar panel modules are manufactured to work over decades. However, faults and defects in solar panel modules themselves can be the reason that the solar system is not producing any power. Check out for any physical signs of damage such as cracks, hot spots, UV discoloration, or water seeping inside the solar panel’s surface. Damage in any solar panel can cause the entire solar array to stop working since the panels are connected in series or parallel. Call your solar service provider for repairing or replacing the faulty solar panel. If the solar panel is still covered by its manufacturer’s warranty, you may get a free replacement.
Troubleshooting Solar Charge Controller
If you are using an off-grid solar power system, then it will not produce any power if its solar charge controller is faulty. Solar charge controllers (SCC) receive power from solar panels and deliver output to charge batteries. Take the following steps to troubleshoot a faulty solar charge controller:
Step 1: Reset or Restart the SCC
If the solar charge controller displays a moon error symbol, zero power, a halted display, etc., it may be the cause of the zero amp issue. The solution is to simply restart your solar charge controller. As with any electronic circuit, resetting works like magic. A quick restart can easily resolve the solar charge controller program issues. There are two types of resetting an SCC: Soft & Hard Reset. Try a soft one before attempting a hard reset.
Soft Reset
A gentle reset is straightforward. Restart your charge controller by pressing its reboot button. In some models, you must simultaneously press the power and reset buttons, and in others, four buttons together. The display screen will flicker and illuminate briefly before returning to its original state. It is comparable to restarting a phone.
Hard Reset
Hard Reset is essentially unplugging and disconnecting the system from the main supply. Attempt this at night if you wish to complete it. Before disconnecting the panel, disconnect the load. Remember the order in which you disconnected the cables. Wait like two to ten minutes. Reconnect the wires in the same order as they were disconnected.
Step 2: Faulty SCC
After doing a restart or soft and hard reset the solar charge controller should start working. Check the output of the solar charge controller with the help of a multimeter, if it is still showing zero output or its display is off then the SCC may be faulty or its internal circuitry is damaged. The only solution is to replace it with a new SCC. Consult with your solar installer, if the SCC is under the manufacturer’s warranty, then you will get free-of-cost replacement.
Troubleshooting Solar Inverter
After diagnosing and confirming that the input side of the inverter receives full power from the grid and there is no issue facing the DC side of the inverter, the next step is to check the output of the solar inverter. If the output is still zero and the inverter is not producing any power then follow the below troubleshooting steps:
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Step 1: RISO / ISO Fault
Excessive moisture and damp circuitry can cause RISO / ISO faults on wet days. As the weather becomes dry, these faults go away by themselves. If the solar inverter is getting RISO / ISO faults then it will show an indication on the screen and will not produce any power. Check the user manual of the inverter to remove this specific fault, if not resolved then call the manufacturer to resolve it.
Step 2: MCB / RCD Tripping
Miniature circuit breaker (MCB) trips when it detects overcurrent from the load side. Investigate the load and reduce it to within the allowable limit. Reset the RCD and check the inverter’s output. Residual current devices (RCD) trip when it detects any leakage current in the solar system. Some electronic devices possess leakage currents during operation. If this current exceeds the limit of RCD then it trips. Ensure that proper ground connection is present in your building, if not then take expert electrician services. After doing proper grounding, reset the RCD.
Step 2: Solar Inverter Faulty
If removing the RISO/ISO fault and resetting MCB/RCD doesn’t work then it may be the solar inverter itself that has become faulty. Solar inverters work uninterrupted over the years, but sometimes get faulty as any electronic device may get. Replacement is the only option. Contact your solar technician or if it’s under warranty the contact manufacturer’s representative for the inverter’s replacement.
Conclusion
Solar panels are the ideal source of renewable energy that works for years without any interruption. However, if they don’t produce any power then it should be fixed to get in operation. This article has provided all the troubleshooting techniques related to zero power output by solar panels. Nevertheless, always follow the safety instructions provided in the user manual of all components installed in the solar system. For further technical support, contact your solar service provider.
