Troubleshooting of residential solar Energy systems

A Guide to Troubleshooting Residential Solar Systems

First, common types of faults and troubleshooting steps

Abnormal decline in power generation

Troubleshooting steps

Check the weather and light: Confirm whether it is rainy or cloudy or has insufficient light on that day, and rule out the influence of natural factors.

Clean the solar panels: Check the surface of the solar panels for dust, stains or obstructions (such as leaves, bird droppings), and clean them in time.

Check the connection lines: Inspect whether the connection lines between the solar panel and the controller, as well as between the controller and the inverter, are loose or damaged to ensure normal electrical connections.

Check the component status: Observe whether the solar panels have any damage, cracks or hot spots. If necessary, use an infrared thermal imager to detect abnormal heating areas.

Monitoring system data: Check the output power, voltage, current and other parameters of the inverter through monitoring software or instruments to determine whether there is component attenuation or inverter failure.

The inverter alarms or shuts down

Troubleshooting steps

Check the alarm information: According to the alarm code displayed on the inverter screen or in the monitoring software, refer to the manual to understand the specific cause of the fault.

Check the heat dissipation condition: Confirm whether the ventilation around the inverter is good and whether the cooling fan is operating normally to avoid shutdown due to overheating.

Check the grid voltage: Use a multimeter to measure whether the grid voltage is stable and within the input range allowed by the inverter.

Check the DC side input: Confirm whether the DC voltage and current output by the solar panel are normal to avoid inverter protection due to abnormal input.

Restart the inverter: After troubleshooting, try restarting the inverter and observe whether it returns to normal operation.

Battery failure (if applicable)

Troubleshooting steps

Check the battery voltage: Use a multimeter to measure the battery voltage and confirm if it is within the normal range (for example, the voltage of a 12V battery should be between 11V and 14V).

Check the connection lines: Inspect whether the connection lines between the battery and the controller, as well as the load, are loose or corroded to ensure good electrical connections.

Check the electrolyte (if it is a lead-acid battery) : Open the battery cover and check if the electrolyte level is within the normal range. Add distilled water if necessary.

Check the charging and discharging status: Observe the charging and discharging current and voltage of the battery through monitoring software or instruments to determine if there is overcharging, overdischarging or sulfation.

Replace the battery: If the battery is aged or severely damaged, it should be replaced with a new one in a timely manner.

Controller failure

Troubleshooting steps

Check the status of the indicator lights: Observe whether the indicator lights on the controller are lit normally, and determine the working status of the controller based on the status of the indicator lights.

Check the parameter Settings: Confirm whether the parameter Settings of the controller are correct, such as charging voltage, discharging voltage, load control, etc.

Check the sensors: If the controller is equipped with sensors (such as light sensors, temperature sensors), check whether the sensors are connected properly and whether the data is accurate.

Replace the controller: If the controller is severely damaged and cannot be repaired, a new one should be replaced in a timely manner.

The load is not working properly

Troubleshooting steps

Check the load connection: Inspect whether the connection lines between the load and the inverter or controller are loose or damaged, and ensure that the electrical connection is normal.

Check the load status: Confirm whether the load itself is working properly, such as whether the bulb is damaged or if the electrical appliances are faulty, etc.

Check overload protection: If the load power is too large, it may cause the inverter or controller to overload. In such cases, the load power should be reduced or a device with a larger capacity should be replaced.

Check the fuse or circuit breaker: See if the fuse has blown or the circuit breaker has tripped. If necessary, replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.

Second, precautions for troubleshooting

Safety first: When troubleshooting, make sure the system is powered off to avoid the risk of electric shock. If it is necessary to operate under power, insulating gloves must be worn, insulating tools used, and professional guidance provided.

Step-by-step troubleshooting: Troubleshooting should follow the principle of progressing from simple to complex and from external to internal, gradually narrowing down the scope of the fault and avoiding blind disassembly or replacement of components.

Record data: During the troubleshooting process, relevant data (such as voltage, current, alarm codes, etc.) should be recorded for subsequent analysis and comparison.

Seek professional help: If the fault cannot be resolved by yourself or involves high-voltage or high-risk operations, you should contact professional maintenance personnel in a timely manner for handling to avoid greater losses or safety hazards.

Third, suggestions for daily maintenance

Regular cleaning: Regularly clean the surface of solar panels to maintain their good light transmission and improve power generation efficiency.

Check the connections: Regularly inspect whether the connection wires between components such as solar panels, controllers, inverters, and batteries are loose or damaged. Tighten or replace them in a timely manner.

Monitoring data: Regularly monitor parameters such as power generation, voltage, and current of the system through monitoring software or instruments to promptly detect abnormal conditions.

Preventive maintenance: Based on the usage of the equipment and the manufacturer's suggestions, preventive maintenance is carried out, such as replacing aging parts and adjusting parameter Settings, to extend the service life of the equipment.