Property Shade
When you first purchased your solar panels, it was essential to have them located in an area with minimal shade so that you could get the most direct light. If you have recently had new construction around your property giving the panel a new level of shade, it may need to be moved to perform appropriately. If your solar panel was initially installed in a shady area, it might not have been serving to its maximum potential since you had it.Weather Implications
Once the panel has been installed onto the roof, it is now at the mercy of the weather. While you may live in an area with a mild climate, periodic weather events could still have an effect on your solar system. You cannot control what it comes into contact with, and extreme conditions of hail and excessive rain can damage the plates, preventing them from collecting the sunlight.Wildlife Damage
Sometimes it isn’t the weather that will cause an issue, but the wildlife around your home and property. They may see your solar panel as a safe place for nesting, which can cause them to damage the skeleton of the panels when they open it for nests. This impacts the overall integrity of the solar panel and how much sunlight it can absorb.Defects of the Panel
Your solar panel could be defected, which could have been caused before the purchase or done at the time of installation. Those defective during manufacturing are often microscopic damages that are not seen at first glance. It takes the removal of the panel’s layers to find the crack, which will prevent the panel from gaining all the necessary energy. You would not see this for defects that happen during installation until after the panel has been applied. Just a tiny crack is enough to impact the outer layer of the panel.
What Are My Options?
Now that you know the reasoning for your underperforming solar panels, you can move forward with a solution. If the panel is just as simple as shade, then all you need to do is have the panel removed and reinstalled to another location. However, if there is damage to your panel, it will need to be assessed by specialists. Depending on the level of damage, you may need your solar panel repaired or replaced. At Solar Optimum, our team of professionals understands how to install solar panels properly and can determine the fate of your current panel. Contact us today for your residential or commercial property if you would like a consultation.
