EN3RGY SOLUTIONS
Why Your Solar Panel System Has Stopped Working: Common Faults and Fixes
Realising your solar panels have stopped producing energy is a frustrating experience for any homeowner. Whether it’s a sudden total failure or a slow decline in performance, solar issues require professional “detective work” to uncover.
At Sharpe Trade Services, we handle these calls every day. As local Adelaide experts for 45 years, we specialize in inspecting and testing older systems or those installed by other operators. Here is what we typically find when a solar system stops working.
1. The Blown Fuse: A Critical Safety Event
In many recent callouts, the culprit is a blown fuse. Fuses are essential safety components in a rooftop solar system. They act as a “weak link” designed to break the circuit if the wiring or a panel gets too hot. This prevents melting components and reduces the risk of a rooftop fire.
A fuse can blow due to:
- Overcurrent: Unexpected surges in energy production.
- Bad Connections: High resistance at the fuse holder creates heat, which can melt the fuse even if the current is normal.
- Incorrect Sizing: If the fuse or the associated wiring was not sized correctly during the original installation, it is prone to premature failure.
2. Degraded Performance and “Invisible” Faults
Sometimes a system doesn’t stop entirely but degrades so slowly that it barely shows up on your monthly power bill. Performance issues often stem from:
- Micro-cracks or Hotspots: Internal damage to the solar cells that can only be detected with specialized testing equipment like thermal imaging cameras.
- Snail Trails: Discolouration on the panels that indicates moisture ingress or manufacturing defects.
- Wiring Wear and Tear: Years of wires rubbing against roof material in windy conditions can expose bare wires, leading to arcing and power loss.
3. The Vital Role of the DC Isolator
The DC isolator is the switch that allows you to manually shut down the power flowing from the panels to the inverter. Because these are located on your roof, they are exposed to Adelaide’s intense sun and rain.
A common service we perform is installing weatherproof covers for these isolators. This simple addition shields the component from UV degradation and moisture, significantly extending its lifespan and ensuring it remains safe to operate during an emergency.
Why Professional Testing is Necessary
Only a licensed electrician using specialist testing equipment can safely diagnose solar faults. Our in-house technicians perform a comprehensive safety test that includes:
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) and Short Circuit Current (Isc) checks.
- Insulation Resistance testing to find hidden wiring leaks.
- Visual inspection of all rooftop mounting and cabling.
FAQ
No. Solar systems operate at high-voltage DC, which is extremely dangerous and can cause fatal electric shocks. Maintenance on any part of the solar electrical system must be performed by a licensed electrician.
We recommend a professional safety and performance test every 12 to 24 months. This ensures that small issues like loose connections or debris build-up don’t turn into total system failures or fire hazards.
It is a protective housing installed over your rooftop DC isolator switch. It prevents rain ingress and UV damage, which are the primary causes of isolator failure and rooftop solar fires in Australia.
This usually means there is moisture in the system or a wire has been damaged and is touching the roof or the mounting frame. The system shuts down automatically to prevent a fire or electric shock.
