How To Tell if Your Solar Panels Are Working

Solar panels are a big investment, so it’s important to confirm your system is producing the energy you expect. If it’s your first time relying on a solar array for your power supply, you might be wondering how to tell if your system is healthy without climbing on the roof or guessing based on one bill. The good news is that most installations include multiple easy checkpoints, and when you use them together, it becomes much easier to separate normal day to day variation from a real performance issue.

The solar panel experts at Solar Liberty share practical steps you can use to know if solar panels are working as intended, plus a few red flags that signal it’s time to schedule service.

Read Your Meter

Reading the meter is one of the easiest ways to confirm production and know if solar panels are working properly. Many solar panel installation services include a production meter that displays the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) generated by your system, and some utilities also provide net metering data in your online account. By checking the meter at the same time each day, you can build a simple baseline for what “normal” looks like for your property.

When functioning normally, you should see the kWh value climb during daylight hours, then slow down or stop overnight. A single low day is not always a problem, but if the meter barely moves over several sunny days, it’s a strong sign something is limiting production.

Use Your Monitoring App or Online Dashboard

Most modern systems include monitoring through an inverter portal, microinverter dashboard, or mobile app. This is often the fastest way to check performance because you can see real time production, daily totals, and longer trends. Start with your daily kWh chart and look for a smooth curve on clear days, where production ramps up in the morning, peaks around midday, then tapers off later in the afternoon.

Pay attention to unusual patterns, such as a flat line during daytime, sharp drop-offs at the same time each day, or repeated “device offline” messages. Some dashboards also display “string” or “panel” level data, which can help identify whether the issue is isolated to part of the array. If you’re not sure what the charts mean, reviewing the basics of how solar panels work can make the readings easier to interpret, especially if you’re comparing seasonal output.

Check the Inverter

The inverter is a key component that converts the direct current electricity created by your panels into usable alternating current electricity for your home or facility. Most inverters have indicator lights or a screen that makes it easier to spot common issues. In general, green or solid “normal” status indicators suggest the unit is operating properly, while red lights, rapid flashing, or error codes may point to a fault or a safety shutdown.

Familiarize yourself with what each indicator means and what “normal” looks like for your specific unit. If your inverter is showing an error code, you can often rule out simple causes, like a tripped breaker, but you should avoid repeated resets. If the issue persists, your best next step is to schedule a professional assessment rather than risking damage. You can also review solar service FAQs for common performance questions, along with the types of issues that require expert troubleshooting.

Compare Production to Your Home’s Usage

Your system can be producing power while your household still pulls electricity from the grid, and that can confuse first time owners. One of the best ways to know if solar panels are working is to compare your production totals with your expected seasonal usage. If you have electric heating, a heat pump, or heavier summer air conditioning loads, your bill may rise even if the panels are generating normally because your consumption is higher.

Look for trends rather than single line items. If your monitoring shows steady daily production but your bill is climbing, the issue may be usage patterns, rate changes, or time-of-use pricing, not the array. If the monitoring shows production has dropped significantly compared to the same season last year, that points more directly to a system performance issue.

Review Your Utility Bill

Your energy bill is another helpful checkpoint, especially over a longer time frame. Compare this month’s usage and credits to prior months and to the same time last year. Some variation is normal due to daylight hours and weather, but a consistent increase over multiple billing cycles can signal a production decline or an equipment problem.

Also check whether your bill format changed. Utility statements sometimes shift how credits appear, which can make performance look worse on paper than it is. Pairing the bill review with your monitoring dashboard gives you a clearer, less stressful picture of what’s happening.

Consider Weather, Shade, and Soiling

Weather has a direct impact on solar output. Cloud cover, snow, and haze reduce production, while very high temperatures can also lower efficiency even on sunny days. Short term dips during storms are normal, and seasonal changes in sun angle can make winter production look different than summer.

Shade and buildup matter too. New shade from a growing tree, construction, or debris can reduce output more than most homeowners expect. Dust, pollen, and bird droppings can also block sunlight, particularly on low slope roofs. If production is trending down and you see visible buildup, it may be time to schedule solar maintenance so the system can be inspected, cleaned, and checked for loose connections or damage.

Look for Physical or Safety Red Flags

Most performance issues show up in your monitoring data first, but you should also watch for physical warning signs. If you notice damaged wiring, loose conduit, cracked modules, or scorch marks near electrical components, do not investigate closely or touch anything. In rare cases, a rapid shutdown event, arc fault detection, or ground fault issue can stop production to protect your property.

If you smell burning plastic, hear buzzing near the inverter, or see water intrusion around electrical equipment, treat it as urgent. Shut off the system if you know how to do so safely, and contact a qualified technician.

Get Solar Panel Repair or Replacement With Solar Liberty!

Monitoring your solar panels’ performance helps protect your investment and keeps your power reliable. If you’ve worked through these steps and still can’t confidently know if solar panels are working the way they should, it’s time to have a professional diagnose the system so you’re not losing production month after month.

As the largest solar installer in New York state, our team is equipped to identify and address issues across a wide range of solar equipment. Our experienced, trained, and NABCEP-certified installers and electricians can diagnose faults, make repair recommendations, and advise when replacement is the most cost effective path forward.

Request a service visit to get solar panel repair or replacement support, and restore confidence in your system’s performance.