# How can I tell if my solar system is underperforming? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) 4. How can I tell if my solar system is underperforming? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How can I tell if my solar system is underperforming?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-to-tell-if-solar-is-underperforming/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) - [What smoke alarms does Queensland require?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/queensland-smoke-alarm-requirements/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) Compare your app or inverter display on similar sunny days, look for error messages and bill changes, and call a licensed installer if something looks wrong. By Casey Midgley, Arlite Energy 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What is normal? 2. What signs are worth acting on? 3. What if my app shows no data? 4. Can dirty panels be the cause? 5. What to record 6. How do I compare fairly? 7. What will a licensed installer do? 8. Frequently asked questions The safest way to check is to look at what your system already tells you. Compare your monitoring app or inverter display on similar sunny days, check for any error messages or warning lights, and look for a change in your power bills. If something looks wrong, note what you see and call a licensed installer. Do not go on the roof or open any equipment. ## What is normal? Solar output changes all the time, and most of those changes are not faults. - **Weather.** Cloud and rain reduce output. Panels still work under cloud, just at a lower level. - **Season.** Winter days are shorter and the sun is lower, so output is usually lower than in summer. - **Heat.** Very hot panels tend to be a little less efficient. - **Shade.** Trees, neighbouring buildings and structures can shade panels at certain times of day, and that changes through the year. - **Age.** Panels slowly produce a little less as they age. Our article on [how a solar power system works in a Brisbane home](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) explains how these things fit together. ## What signs are worth acting on? - **An error message or warning light.** See our article on [solar inverter red lights and errors](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-inverter-red-light-fault/). - **Little or no generation in good sun.** Your app or display shows low output in clear conditions. - **A sudden change in your bills.** You are buying more power from the grid than usual. - **Output that stops or drops at the same time each day.** This can be shade, a limit on how much you can export, or a fault. Our article on [why solar export is limited](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-export-limit-energex/) explains one common cause. - **Visible damage.** A cracked panel or debris you can see from the ground. Do not climb up to look closer. ## What if my app shows no data? A monitoring app can lose its connection while the system keeps working. Check the inverter’s own display or lights from where you can see them, and compare your bill. If the app stays offline, tell your installer. ## Can dirty panels be the cause? They can. Dust, leaves and bird droppings may reduce output. Cleaning is not a job to try yourself, because roofs are dangerous places and falls cause serious injuries. Arlite’s team can clean panels as part of a visit, and offers [solar cleaning](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-cleaning/). Stay off the roof and away from the equipment Solar wiring carries electricity whenever the sun is on the panels, and the inverter can stay live in daylight even when its display is dark. Never open the inverter, touch wiring or climb onto the roof to investigate. If there is smoke, sparks, flames or a burning smell, leave the building and call 000. ## What to record 1. Today's output — Take a screenshot of your app or photograph the inverter display, and note the time and the weather. 2. A comparison day — Find a similar sunny day from the same time of year in your app history and screenshot it for comparison. 3. Any messages or lights — Photograph the display or app message, and write down any code exactly as shown. 4. Your bills — Compare your latest power bill with earlier ones for the same time of year, and note whether the amount you buy from the grid has increased. 5. What has changed — Note anything new, such as a tree that has grown, a new building nearby, a storm, an outage or recent work on the roof. ## How do I compare fairly? Compare like with like. A sunny day in summer is not comparable with a cloudy day in winter. Look at clear days at a similar time of year, and look at the pattern over several days rather than one reading. The more notes and screenshots you can give the installer, the faster they can find the cause. ## What will a licensed installer do? Arlite’s team tests the panels, inverter, wiring and connections methodically, explains the cause plainly, and repairs and retests the work. They can also diagnose and repair systems they did not install. Read more about [solar fault finding](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/fault-finding/) on the Arlite website. If you rent, report the problem to your landlord or property manager rather than trying to arrange anything yourself. Talk to the Arlite team Seeing lower output than usual? Call **(07) 3062 9299** or use the [Arlite contact page](https://arlite.co/contact/) and the team will get back to you. You can also book an in-home, no cost consult. ## Frequently asked questions - Usually not. Shorter days and a lower sun mean less generation. Compare with the same time of year and with similar clear days rather than with summer. - The app may have lost its connection. Look at the inverter display or lights from where you can see them, check your bill, and tell your installer if the app stays offline. - We do not recommend it. Roofs are dangerous and falls cause serious injuries. A professional can clean panels and check the system at the same time. - You can safely look at the display or lights and photograph them. Do not open the inverter or touch any wiring. - A licensed installer can. Arlite diagnoses and repairs existing solar systems, including ones it did not install. [Learn about Fault Finding](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/fault-finding/) Related services: [Solar Cleaning](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-cleaning/), [Solar Batteries](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/solar-batteries/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) - [Clean Energy Council](https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [SolarWhy is my solar inverter showing a red light or error?A red light or error means the inverter has detected a condition; note the code and call a licensed installer, and do not open the unit.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-inverter-red-light-fault/) - [SolarWhy is my solar export limited?Your network provider sets how much solar power your home can send to the grid, so limited export is usually a rule, not a fault.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-export-limit-energex/) - [SolarHow does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?A plain-English walk through the panels, inverter, meter, grid and optional battery, and why your output rises and falls through the day.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [SolarHow do I turn off a solar inverter safely?Panels make power whenever light hits them, so shutdown should be done by your installer or a licensed electrician, not by guesswork.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What is normal? 2. What signs are worth acting on? 3. What if my app shows no data? 4. Can dirty panels be the cause? 5. What to record 6. How do I compare fairly? 7. What will a licensed installer do? 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-to-tell-if-solar-is-underperforming/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).