When you install your solar energy system, you want it to be operating at maximum efficiency, because this is the point where you can make the most out of your investment. However, several factors can affect the generation of electricity from solar panels, and at certain times, you might be tricked into thinking that your solar panels might not be working at all. In this blog, you will learn how to tell if your solar panels are working or not, and what factors can affect the functioning and the efficiency of solar panels in Pakistan, given its wide range of weathers throughout a year.
We’ll also be looking at the best solar panels in Pakistan, and the best solar panel company in Islamabad, Beacon Energy. Our insights and efforts for the renewable energy segment in Pakistan are changing the way the country views and utilizes energy.
How do I know if my solar panels are working? Solar panels do not generate noise or have other instruments/ meters around them that would otherwise alert a user to their operation. Therefore, you will need to look elsewhere to understand and know whether or not your solar panels are working. Here’s how you can know.
i. Weather indications
Weather is a fine indicator for solar energy in general; cloudy, rainy, overcast, and snowy conditions tend to negatively affect the performance of solar panels, and if you have such weather for days at end, the generation numbers will go down accordingly. This might lead some people to think that their solar panels are not operational, which is usually not the case. If you have sunshine and you still notice a drop in power, then it’s time to worry about your solar panels. Otherwise, it’s usually due to the weather.
ii. Physical electrical connections
If you do notice an energy generation drop for your solar energy system, the first thing that you should check are the physical electrical connections, especially if considerable time has elapsed since the last maintenance. Many times, wiring may get severed or connections may get compromised over time, and these will obviously affect the generation and the efficiency of the solar panels. By inspecting and ensuring the physical and electrical connections, you can shift the suspicion away from the solar panels and instead look at the other factors.
iii. Check your inverter
Inverters are the main connecting point between the solar panels and the rest of the system, and are crucial in making the generated electricity usable by home appliances and power boxes. Should you notice a drop in generation, before checking the solar panels, you should check the solar inverter, which usually presents a problem in most cases. Many hybrid inverters and smart inverters come with display lights that inform the user of its status; should these lights be red or flashing, you will then need to contact your solar energy company to help troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
iv. Consult the partner application (if available)
Many smart solar energy solutions, like Beacon Energy’s INTRIX, come with a partner application that helps you know all about your solar energy system, including generation metrics, total power output, and many other things. These applications show you all that you might need to know about the system, and should your system be experiencing any such issues, you can always consult the application. It will accurately inform you of the system status, and will also make it easy for you to contact your solar energy company.
v. Physical inspection
Solar panels are made out of tiny PV cells that generate electricity. While solar panels are considered robust enough to stand up to extreme weather and other anomalies, sometimes, a solar panel may experience damage due to excessive blunt force, installation problems or freak weather conditions (hailing). Once you have exhausted all other possibilities and the rest of the equipment seems to be working fine, you can check your solar panels for damage on the surface of the PV module, where the cells are located. If the damage is visible, the panel will most likely need to be replaced. However, sub0surface level damage or micro- cracks may also affect the panels; however, that damage does not offset generation that much.
Beacon Energy: Reliable, robust solar energy solutions for Pakistan
Pakistan is a country with a fast-growing demand for solar energy, given the energy skyline of the country is really dubious and at best, unreliable. Which makes solar energy a prime candidate for helping people enjoy clean, renewable and reliable energy. As such, solar inverters of the highest quality are imperative for Pakistan, and Beacon Energy, with its prime offering INTRIX as a hybrid inverter and solar energy solution is poised to help. Combining the best of what the solar industry has to offer with modern AI input, Beacon Energy’s smart solar solutions are geared for the Pakistani energy situation and are the perfect solution for energy crises which the country is plunged deep in. Clean, reliable energy for all with the best solar company in Pakistan, Beacon Energy, now has smart solar solutions that cater to all your energy needs, without polluting the environment or keeping you at the mercy of an unreliable grid.