Solar panels are one of the best investments you can make on your home, but first it’s important to understand how they work. In this post, we’ll walk you through all the ins and outs of solar panels! By understanding the processes of how solar panels work, you’ll be able to judge whether or not your panels are producing energy efficiently.
So let’s get started on the ins and outs of solar panels:
Solar panels have three parts: an array, electricity inverters, and cables. The array is made up of solar cells that absorb sunlight when the sun is shining. Electricity is then generated as a result.
Once I install my solar panels, how do I know that they are working?
Don’t Solely Rely on Your Electricity Bill
Your electricity bill isn’t the best way to check if your panels are working. Newer solar panels are much more efficient, and they come with a 25-year production and full system warranty, so if you are experiencing issues there is no need to worry!
If you simply rely on your electricity bill to determine if your panels are working or not, you’re probably going to be sorely disappointed! Instead, try checking out the AC output of the system by looking at it with a voltmeter–if it’s less than 1 volt per cell paired with lower power generation readings then you may have a defective panel that needs replacing.
Check your Inverter (If Applicable)
The next step would be to check your inverter if you have an older system, newer systems have micro-inverters. The inverter is basically a bridge between the battery and the solar panel array and converts direct current (DC) from the solar panels to alternating current (AC) for use in your home or business. Wattmeters are one way of checking these values, but if your inverter has its own meter on it, use that instead.
Check Your App (If Applicable)
Check your app and make sure the reports are consistent. If you notice any discrepancies within the app, please contact us right away so we can get your solar panels up and running so you can continue saving!
Keep in Mind the Time of Year
Before assuming your solar panels are not working properly, make sure to check out other aspects that could be affecting your bill.
- The Time of Year: Weather plays a big role in your electric bill. For example, in August your bill may be higher than in December due to running the AC more often.
- The Size of Your Home: A larger home is going to use more electricity than a smaller home and therefore more panels may be necessary for your household’s needs.
- Are the kids back home from school? Summertime means time off from school and activities so your children may spend more time at home and use more electricity.
Of course, we want you to get the most bang for your buck! So these are just a few things to keep in mind when checking your monthly electric bill.
Are my panels producing as much energy as they should?
The first step up to figure out whether your solar panels are producing enough energy is to check the output data: watts per hour, watts per square, and amps. Check your solar panel output specifications to see how many watts you should be getting per hour.
Solar panels are a great way to reduce your electricity costs and make a positive impact on the environment. Don’t rely on your electricity bill, use a load monitoring device, check the data for any problems, and have someone check out your solar panels!
We hope this post has helped you understand how to tell if your solar panels are working! If you have any further questions, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help!
