Solar panel faults and repairs
If your panels are making less electricity or an app has stopped updating, the panels themselves may still be working. Start with what you can see safely, then contact the right person for help.
What has gone wrong?
Choose the closest description for safe next steps.
Smoke, sparks, a burning smell, heat or repeated trips
Keep people away. Do not open the inverter, touch damaged cables or climb onto the roof. If there is fire or immediate danger, leave and call 999. Otherwise, contact a qualified solar electrician urgently. Do not keep resetting a tripping switch.
A cracked panel, loose cable or storm damage
Keep clear and contact your installer or a qualified solar electrician. If it is safe, take photographs from ground level and note when the damage appeared. Do not touch the damaged equipment or go onto the roof.
A red inverter light, error code or blank display
Note the message and when it appeared. You can photograph the display from a safe position and look up the exact code in the manual. Contact the installer or manufacturer for advice. Ask whether the warranty covers the fault before paying for work.
The panels are generating less than usual
Compare several days with similar weather and the same time of year. Check the generation reading as well as the export reading: lower exports can simply mean your home used more electricity. Look for new shade or debris from ground level. If the drop continues, send your readings and screenshots to the installer.
The monitoring app is offline
Check whether your internet connection and the app service are working. Look at the inverter’s normal display without opening it. If it looks normal, contact the app support team or installer to check the monitoring connection.
The battery is not charging or supplying the house
Save screenshots of its charge level, schedule and any messages. Check the normal user instructions for a reserved charge level or scheduled charging period. Contact the installer or battery support team if it still behaves unexpectedly; do not open the equipment.
The original installer has stopped trading
Look in your installation paperwork for equipment warranties and any insurance-backed cover. Contact the manufacturer or named cover provider. If you need another installer, explain that this is a repair to an existing system and ask whether they work with your equipment.
Keep checks at ground level
Solar panels can generate electricity whenever light reaches them, even when the household supply is switched off. Leave electrical testing, covers, rooftop connectors and roof access to a qualified professional.
Useful information to collect safely includes the date, weather, app screenshots, meter readings and any error code. Find your installation certificate, manuals and warranties before calling.
Check warranty cover first
Panels, inverters, batteries and installation work may have separate warranties. Ask whether the fault, labour and call-out are covered, and whether proposed replacement work could affect existing cover.
Questions for a repair company
- Do you work with this make and model?
- What is the inspection charge if no fault is found?
- Will you give me a written explanation of the fault and repair?
- Is the replacement compatible with the rest of the system?
- What warranty covers the part and labour?
- Will you handle any electricity-network paperwork needed?
After the repair
Keep the report, invoice, test results and new warranty with your installation documents. Check that monitoring and battery schedules work as expected, and ask the repairer to explain any changed settings.
Do panels need cleaning?
Rain helps keep many tilted panels clean. Heavy dirt or bird fouling can reduce output, but avoid going onto the roof yourself. Ask a specialist whether cleaning is needed and how it can be done safely.
Find an MCS-certified installer and ask about their experience with repairs.
Your checklist at a glance
Solar panel repair safety checklist
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