Solar Savvy! Ensuring Your Solar Powered System is Running Smoothly
As a solar system owner, it's crucial to keep an eye on your system's performance to ensure it's running efficiently. Regular maintenance can help you catch any potential issues early and keep your investment yielding maximum returns. Here’s a guide to help you determine if your solar system needs maintenance and what steps you should take.
Steps to Check Your Solar System for Maintenance Needs
For Solar-Only Customers:
1. Systems with String Inverters:
Check your Inverter: Look at your inverter's display to see if it’s producing power normally. If you see a red light or if the power output (in kW) is lower than usual, there might be an issue.
How much should my Solar Powered System be producing?
This isn’t always the easiest thing to determine. Upon purchasing a new system there is often an analysis done during the design process that takes many factors into account to calculate expected annual and/or monthly production. It is wise to reference the manufacturer’s monitoring platform to see how much your system has produced in the following years and compare them to current production. You can expect to see some degradation in your system over time, as well as shade from trees as they grow larger.
Error Indications: Pay attention to any error messages or fault indicators on the inverter.
What do I do if I see a fault or a red light?
If your primary solar unit has a screen, take note of any fault or error code that shows up on that screen. The next thing to do is to reset the Solar Equipment to see if that clears the error. For instructions on resetting your particular unit, contact us.
2. Solar Systems with Microinverters:
Online Monitoring Portal: Regularly check your online monitoring portal for any error messages or anomalies. Ideally, this should be done monthly.
Professional Assistance: If you are unsure, you can contact us to check your system remotely. If we don’t already have access, you can grant us access, although this service typically comes with a fee.
Utility Bills: An increase in your utility bill could also indicate that your system is underperforming or you’re overconsuming energy. This is not a preferable method but can still be a helpful indicator.
3. For Solar Systems with Storage:
Online Monitoring: Regularly watch your system’s operation online to ensure it aligns with your expectations. For assistance in setting up or monitoring your system please contact us.
Simulate a Grid Outage: Periodically simulate a grid outage to test if your system operates correctly in backup mode. For more info on how to simulate a grid outage, check out our blog on “Winter is coming! Are you Prepared?”
Alert Monitoring: Check for any alerts or errors in your online monitoring portal. These could indicate issues with software, programming or installation.
Red Flags That Require Immediate Attention
Red LEDs on Inverter: A red LED light on your inverter.
Alerts on Monitoring Portal: Any error messages or alerts on your online monitoring portal. If you need assistance please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Higher than Expected Utility Bills: If your true-up bill is higher than expected, it could indicate an issue.
Recommended Inspection Frequency
With Online Monitoring: A system inspection is recommended at the 5-year mark after installation and then every other year.
Without Online Monitoring: We recommend that you have your system inspected on an annual basis.
Our Commitment to You
At CalSolar, we prioritize educating and empowering our customers to be familiar with their own systems. We believe in proactive maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure your system operates at its best.
Community Focus: We care deeply about our community and are dedicated to keeping your PV systems working at maximum potential.
Production Issues: We prioritize resolving production issues quickly to maximize your investment returns.
PGE Challenges: We understand the complexities of dealing with utility companies and are here to help you monitor and reduce your consumption.
Services We Offer
Phone Support and Offsite Troubleshooting: We aim to resolve issues remotely whenever possible to avoid the cost of onsite technician support.
Onsite Technical Support: When necessary, our highly trained and experienced PV/ESS technicians will visit your home or business to efficiently resolve any issues.
Customer Experience: Our goal is to turn a challenging situation into a seamless and pleasant experience. We take pride in the positive feedback we receive from our customers, even in difficult situations.
Remember, we are here for you. If you ever need assistance or have questions about your system, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re proud to be part of our community and are committed to providing you the best service possible.
