Solar systems fail quietly. There's no smoke, no noise — just a slow leak in your savings that can go unnoticed for months. Here are the seven warning signs that your system needs professional attention, roughly in order of how often we see them.
1. Your energy production has dropped
The clearest signal. Compare this month's production to the same month last year in your monitoring app. Seasonal variation is normal; a sustained drop of 10% or more (in similar weather) is not. Common culprits include failed optimizers or microinverters, soiling, new shading, or wiring degradation.
2. Your electric bill went up for no reason
If you don't watch your monitoring app, your utility bill is your early-warning system. When solar production falls, you buy more grid power. An unexplained bill increase — especially in a sunny month — deserves investigation.
3. Inverter error lights or fault codes
Your inverter is the heart of the system, and it's usually the first thing to fail — string inverters commonly need replacement after 10–15 years. A red or flashing status light, a blank display, or repeated fault codes mean it's time to call a pro. Some faults (like ground faults) are also safety issues; don't ignore them.
4. Visible physical damage
From the ground, look for:
- Cracked or shattered glass (hail, falling branches, thermal stress)
- Brown or yellow discoloration ("hotspots" — often a failing cell)
- Delamination — bubbling or peeling at panel edges
- Burn marks or melted spots near junction boxes
Burn marks in particular warrant an immediate call — arcing DC connections are a fire risk.
5. Panels or sections reporting zero
If your monitoring shows individual panels flatlined while neighbors produce normally, you likely have a failed microinverter or optimizer. These are typically covered by manufacturer warranty — even if your installer is gone — and replacement is routine for any qualified technician.
6. Evidence of animals
Droppings on panels, nesting material poking out from underneath, cooing sounds, birds repeatedly flying beneath the array — pest activity is a repair issue in the making. Chewed wiring causes shorts, ground faults, and fire hazards. See our critter guard guide for prevention.
7. Water stains on the ceiling below your array
Roof leaks at mounting points are the most serious installer-workmanship failure. If you see water staining inside your home below the array, get both a solar pro and a roofer involved immediately. Caught early, it's a resealing job; caught late, it's structural repair.
What a repair visit looks like
A professional diagnostic typically costs $150–$300 and includes electrical testing, monitoring review, and often thermal imaging. Most repairs land between $250 and $1,500 — small money against a system that should produce for 25+ years. Get the details in our solar repair service overview.