Solar pv systems are an excellent long-term investment, known for their durability, efficiency, and ability to significantly reduce energy bills. But even the highest-quality solar arrays can experience wear, damage, or performance issues over time. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked solar panel, inverter alerts, wiring concerns, or unexpected drops in system output, understanding how solar repair works is essential. 

In this article, Arch walks through common issues, repair considerations, and answers the most frequently asked questions about system upkeep. 

Solar Panel Troubleshooting

If you notice your solar panels not working as expected, troubleshooting should begin with identifying whether the issue stems from the panels themselves, the wiring, or the inverter. Any systems installed by Arch Solar or added to our monitoring platform will automatically send system updates through the Arch Solar app. The alert comes from the service of consumption monitoring, which allows you to monitor panel performance 24/7. 

Common troubleshooting scenarios include:

Sudden Drop in Energy Production

A sharp decrease in output may indicate your system is experiencing temporary shading from snow or another obstacle. In more serious scenarios, your system may have an unexpected wiring issue or a malfunctioning inverter. In many cases, the snow melts or the system requires a factory reset, which is able to be done by reconnecting your system to your home internet.  

In more serious cases, solar PV inverter repair or solar panel inverter maintenance restores proper function. With Arch Solar’s monitoring app, both the homeowner and Arch will be alerted when a system experiences poor energy output.  

Cracked Solar Panel

Physical damage—often from storms, falling debris, or poor installation—may lead to a cracked solar panel. Depending on the severity of the crack, your solar panels may continue producing energy, though at a reduced output. However, even minor cracks can compromise efficiency or cause safety hazards. Damaged modules may require full replacement and occasionally solar panel removal to access underlying hardware.  

Tripped Breaker or Faulty Connection

Electrical faults can cause a system to shut down. Often, a homeowner can easily take steps to re-pair the system. Our service team is available to walk homeowners through this reconnection for all Arch-installed systems and systems on the Arch maintenance plan. 

Faulty Inverter

Since the inverter is the “brains” of your solar setup, diagnosing issues early is essential. A failing inverter often triggers system alerts or inconsistent production and typically requires either repair, replacement, or reconnection. 

Do Solar Panels Require Maintenance?

Solar systems are relatively low-maintenance, but unexpected issues can arise. While routine checkups help ensure long-term performance, Arch Solar’s maintenance plan can help ease concerns and address surprise issues. 

If you installed your solar system with Arch, you will automatically be enrolled in the Arch Care plan. This includes 24/7 access to your personalized Arch Solar app, standard support responses within 24 business hours, a year-end production recap, and diagnosis and servicing any issue related to installation (within 1 year of install).  

If you have a solar system installed by another provider but want to enroll in Arch’s Active Monitoring Plan, that is entirely possible! After a small one-time adoption fee, you will pay a nominal yearly fee to receive all the benefits of the Arch Care Plan, plus a discount on service upgrades and more.  

Examples of our solar service plans are below:  

Should your solar system need repair beyond a phone call, our Service and Quality Management team can perform a one-time system diagnostic call, regardless of your solar provider.  During this visit, our technician will spend up to 2 hours on-site sourcing the issue. If we can fix the issue while on-site, we will! If the issue requires a return visit, we will create a scope of work to be approved before we proceed.  

Often, Arch’s one-time system diagnostic helps with issues that require pv testing, inverter maintenance, and solar panel removal and repair.  

Life of Solar Panels

Modern solar panels are designed to last 25–30 years, often longer with proper care. While panels naturally degrade over time, most continue operating at 80–90% of their original output well beyond their warranty period. 

Factors that influence longevity include:

Quality of Equipment 

High-quality panels and components reduce the likelihood of issues such as hot spots or premature failure. Even so, events like a cracked solar panel may require early replacement. 

Environmental Conditions 

Harsh climates may slightly accelerate panel wear, but proper installation and routine maintenance significantly reduce risks. Arch accounts for Wisconsin weather in our production estimates, and we tend to see panels perform even better than we  

Proactive Troubleshooting 

Regular checks for solar panels not working, system alerts, or shading changes can extend the system’s useful life and protect efficiency. The Arch Solar app’s ease of use and around-the-clock access helps identify any issues right away. 

Conclusion

Investing in solar energy is a long-term commitment that pays off through reliability, savings, and sustainability. With periodic inspections, timely repairs, and proper inverter upkeep, your system can deliver decades of clean, renewable energy. 

Commercial Solar Maintenance

This blog covers home solar maintenance. Are you looking for commercial solar maintenance?  

Reach out to our Arch O&M Team