Renewable energy has become increasingly popular in recent years, and perhaps the most visible sign of this trend is the solar panel installation. Some homeowners shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a huge solar panel system to put on their roof, while others prefer to set up a small do-it-yourself kit in their backyard. As smooth as the installation procedure often is, solar panel systems -- like all other technologies -- sometimes don't work exactly as homeowners expect them to. So if you've recently encountered issues with your kit, check out the troubleshooting tips collected below.

Unrealistic Expectations

Before installing a small solar panel kit, keep in mind that it may not be able to run all of your appliances unless it is connected to the grid. Many people imagine that they can supply their air conditioner unit, refrigerator, lights and everything else in their home with power derived solely from a small standalone kit, but this is almost never the case. If you're experiencing an inconsistent supply of power from a kit that's not hooked up to the grid, you may want to scale back your expectations. Start by trying to power your lights and computer, and increase the size of your kit as necessary.

Single Broken Panel

If you suspect that one of your panels may be malfunctioning (or simply not up to par), hold a large object capable of producing a decent amount of shade over each panel in turn. If a panel begins to stop producing light, then you can rest easy knowing that the panel is functioning properly. On the other hand, if the panel doesn't respond to the shade, then you know it's time for a repair or a replacement. 

Overheating

While it may sound like an oxymoron, it is definitely possible for a solar panel to stop working because it is overheated. If you've noticed that your system performs worst when it is hottest, then you may need to upgrade your system's wires due to overheating. Thicker wires will help to insulate the system more effectively and will make it function more consistently in the long term.

No Output

Most problems with solar panels start with the observation that there is zero output, and more often than not, the reason behind this is a broken converter. It may also be that a single panel is malfunctioning and has caused the entire system to shut down, in which case shading is a great solution.

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