Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
Solar energy is no passing trend. Since home solar panels started hitting the market years ago, many have turned to the sun for their home's energy needs. In fact, the Solar Energy Industries Association reports more than 6 million solar installations have been completed across the country.
Installing solar panels is a long-term investment, and because of that, people expect them to last for decades. If you have a problem here or there, you want to rely on your solar provider to troubleshoot and find a solution. Unfortunately, many people are facing those issues on their own because the company they bought their panels from has gone out of business.
Here are some common problems solar panel owners face and ways you can get help.
You want to add a battery backup
Adding a backup battery is a great way to secure your independence from electric companies. ES Solar says traditional solar systems are tied to the grid, which means your solar panels won't work if the power goes out. In the case of an outage, a backup battery can continue running on stored energy.
Additionally, a battery can save you some extra money during peak electrical hours. When utility companies charge more during busy hours, you can tap into your backup battery and use your stored energy during the most expensive parts of the day.
If your solar company is no longer in business and you want to add a backup battery, ES Solar can get you squared away.
Your roof needs replacing but you have solar panels
If the dreaded roof replacement is around the corner and you have solar panels, things can get a little more complicated. According to an estimate from National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an average of 3.3 million homes per year will be built or require roof replacement between 2017 and 2030. If you're one of those homeowners and you currently have solar panels, you'll need to make some calls before you can start removing shingles.
An article written by Ashlyn Brooks for Forbes explains you'll need to have the panels removed by solar professionals to avoid damaging the panels or your electrical system. Calling a reputable solar company with experience in removing and reinstalling solar panels is key.
Once the panels are removed, you need to choose a roofing style that is compatible with solar panels. After the new roof is finished, the solar company must come back and reinstall the panels.
If you have a different company help with the removal and reinstall of your solar panels than the one you purchased the panels from, make sure you and the technician are both aware of your homeowner's insurance coverage to avoid any complications.
Your grid connection has problems
You might think of solar panels as independent from the power grid because they create their own energy. But it's all connected.
One of the more common problems homeowners face is an issue with the inverter. Solar panels create a direct current (DC) of energy. Homes and appliances use alternating current (AC) power. An inverter converts DC energy to AC power that homes can use to power everything inside, according to ES Solar. When the inverter isn't working properly, you'll have grid connection problems.
Today's solar systems have modern inverters that can adapt to varying sunlight conditions. They can adjust the output so you're getting the most energy possible from your solar panels.
Some smart inverters will communicate with the grid to prevent excess energy from overwhelming the grid.
ES Solar is ready to help those who are having problems with their solar panels connecting to the grid, even if you didn't buy your system from them.
You want to add more panels to your system
Many people decide to add more panels to their solar systems as energy needs change. For example, if you get an electric car and need to charge it at home, you'll end up using more power than when you originally bought your panels. Or maybe you didn't calculate your energy consumption right the first time and want to balance it out with more panels.
Adding additional panels to your system can be complicated, depending on several factors.
Your current inverter type is one of the biggest factors. Those using microinverters—a small inverter for each panel—can add more panels with their own microinverters. They're wired to the same monitoring system as the existing panels.
Those who have panels using a string inverter may run into a capacity issue. With a string inverter, all of the panels are connected to that single inverter. If the inverter can't handle more panels (more energy), then you may not be able to add more without adding another inverter for the new panels. Another option would be to replace the old inverter with one that can handle more power.
Roof space is another major factor. If your roof can't accommodate more panels at the right angle and in the right direction, adding more may not be the right move.
Not all solar companies manufacture compatible solar panels. If you bought panels from one company and later decide to add more, you'll have to check that they have a similar voltage.
If you're interested in adding more panels but aren't sure what your current system can accommodate, reach out to the professionals at ES Solar. They can provide an assessment of your setup and explain your options.
Get personal help and guidance from the solar energy experts
Choosing to add solar energy to your home is a big step. Finding the right people to guide you along the way is crucial for a good experience. ES Solar's dedicated team can help you troubleshoot your current panels' problems as well as install systems for those new to solar.
For more than 16 years, ES Solar has helped people across Utah, Nevada, California and Texas lower energy costs and gain more energy independence.
One Google reviewer shares her experience working with them.
"They have been so easy to work with during the purchase and installation of additional solar panels and batteries. They've kept us informed during the whole process; they've held our hand the whole time and have worked well as a team, from sales to install to tech support. I feel so much more confident with ES than our last solar company, who went out of business within a few years of our original solar panel purchase," she writes.
Whether you want to add a backup battery, fix a problem, add more panels, or buy a solar system, ES Solar can help. Visit their website to learn more.
