Solar power systems convert sunlight into electricity which is sustainable, renewable, and plentiful. As the cost of utilizing solar energy to generate electricity decreases each year, people around the globe are now making a transition to solar power systems. Although solar systems are designed to generate electricity with maximum efficiency, sometimes a solar system may not produce enough power to run electrical appliances. This article has covered all the situations where a solar power system is not producing enough power and how to fix them by yourself. Below are the four situations with possible solutions under which solar system output drops:
1. Cloudy Weather
Solar system works efficiently when solar panels are exposed to direct sunlight. However, under cloudy weather conditions, solar panels are still productive but deliver less power. On the other hand, during peak sunshine hours, your solar panels may produce more electricity than you use. You can’t undo the weather changes, but you can enhance the efficiency of a solar system by utilizing this excess energy to generate more electricity during cloudy days or at nighttime hours in two of the following ways:
a. Battery Energy Storage Systems
Battery energy storage systems are the best option to store surplus energy during the daytime when sunlight is abundant. The stored electrical energy can be used during cloudy days when the solar panels are not producing enough energy, or at nighttime hours when there is no sunlight. The battery energy storage systems are successfully implemented in an off-grid solar system installation where the user is not dependent on the utility supply company. The off-grid solar systems have one more advantage of delivering steady backup power in a utility shutdown or grid power failure.
b. Net Metering
Net metering services allow users to send any surplus power generated by a solar system into the national electric grid and get credits from the utility provider. These credits may be cashed out to offset any electricity expenses incurred on cloudy days or at nighttime when there is insufficient sunlight to generate enough electrical power. Net metering is widely adopted in on-grid solar systems. On-grid solar systems are different from off-grid solar systems, in which the solar system is directly tied to the grid power to offset any additional units consumed and lessen the overall electricity cost burden.
2. Shading & Obstruction
Solar panels generate maximum power when directly facing sunlight without any obstruction. It is important to keep the solar panels free from anything that hinders the way they receive sunlight. Shading and obstruction to the sunlight can be caused in two ways:
a. Trees and Buildings
Shading is mostly caused by trees or high-rise buildings situated in the neighborhood. You can use a solar pathfinder tool to locate any new sources of shade and, if possible, eliminate them. Low power output can also be caused by poor tilt and compass direction (azimuth angle). You can also contact your solar installer to change the tilt and azimuth angle, if possible, to directly receive maximum sunlight.
b. Dust Accumulation
Dust, dirt, and pollen may slowly accumulate over time and block solar radiations from reaching the solar panels, causing drops in their output-producing ability. Therefore, watch out for any dust and debris by physically inspecting the rooftop solar panels, then cleaning them with a water hose, and wiping it out to dry them with a soft cloth.
3. Ground Faults
Ground faults are another kind of common problem for low power output in solar systems. However, they are more difficult to identify and involve measuring the voltage and current of each conductor as well as the equipment grounding conductor (EGC), which transfers stray current to the ground. The presence of voltage and current on the EGC indicates a ground fault.
Damaged conductor insulation, incorrect installation, squeezed wires, and water may cause ground faults by creating an electrical connection between a conductor and the EGC. If the ground fault occurs, determine the cause of the problem and repair any broken wires or improve the overall surroundings around the solar panels. If the problem persists, you may contact your solar installer to rectify ground faults.
4. PID Effect
Potential Induced Degradation (PID) may degrade the effectiveness and performance of solar panels. It may also reduce the lifespan of your solar panels and cause overall drops in output power. The PID effect is caused by the difference in voltage between the solar panel and the earthing. This occurs when the negative pole of the inverter is not properly grounded resulting in partial voltage discharge inside the main circuit of the system.
PID may be effectively avoided in solar power systems by properly grounding the negative pole of the inverter. If PID has occurred, it may be minimized by grounding the negative DC pole of the inverter to prevent negative string voltages. The PID effect can also be prevented by installing an anti-PID box. It is preferable to install it before the occurrence of a problem to avoid the degradation of solar panels over time.
Conclusion
Solar systems are an effective way to generate electricity through renewable energy sources. Most solar systems come with a 10-25 years of PV panels warranty. Solar systems work throughout the whole year to generate reliable electrical power for households.
However, in some circumstances, solar systems won’t produce enough power to run electronic appliances. This article has covered all the situations when the solar system can’t generate enough power. Practical troubleshooting tips and techniques have been given to fix solar power systems with a low output.
We hope that this article will enable you to confidently fix your solar output problems. Nevertheless, we highly recommend reading the user manual(s) that come with the components of a solar power system. If you are still facing difficulty, contact your solar service provider for technical assistance.