How to Monitor Your Solar System Production
Solar Panels are now produced to be incredibly reliable. They can withstand natural occurrences, such as wind, hail, rain, snow, etc. With the proper care and cleaning, your panels will last well over the standard lifetime! Your solar panels will keep your home powered with little to no effort on your part.
While considering going solar, some homeowners wonder how they will be able to monitor their solar panels to make sure they are working properly. Solar panels may require maintenance on occasion and the best way to know if your solar panels need attention is by monitoring their performance.
It is important to keep your solar panels well-kept. After installation, we keep an eye on your solar panel production, so you are always in the loop with your solar. Doing routine maintenance on your solar panels and meters will keep your system running at maximum efficiency for years to come.
Solar Meters
When your solar panels are installed, a meter is placed which measures the kilowatt-hour (kWh) production of your photovoltaic system. These meters are monitoring and analyzing the performance of your panels. The meter will move forward when it is drawing electricity and backward when your system is producing enough energy to power your home and also provide energy to the grid! This is one way that you can monitor the production of your solar panels.
Sunrise App
While we are monitoring your solar panel energy production, we also offer a tracking system to all of our customers so you can constantly monitor how much energy your panels are producing. Under the System Production tab, you can see a graph of your overall production. By regularly checking your Sunrise app, you can be sure to make the most of your solar panels! Don’t have the app? Download by clicking here for apple users and here for android users!
Enlighten App
Every homeowner who switches to solar with ION Solar will have access to the Enlighten monitoring app. This app uses a simple and user-friendly system that allows you to track energy production, check on your solar panels and share data with family and friends. In the event of mechanical issues, the Enphase system indicator will point you in the direction of the problem and provide troubleshooting tips. The app provides real-time updates on your solar panel production.
Shade, Dust and Weather
Solar panels function at their best when they can soak up each sun ray. If there are any obstructions, such as dust, shade or weather, they will not perform at full capacity.
With ION Solar, your system has been custom designed to fit your roof and are placed to obtain the best possible light. However, after a few years, there may be new tree growth that is shading a portion of your solar panels. If you notice shading on your panels, have the branches removed to allow full light to reach your solar panels.
Luckily, the rain is a great cleaning mechanism for your solar panels. However, if you notice that your panels are still covered by a layer of dirt or debris, cleaning your solar panels is an easy step that will increase your energy efficiency. All you will need is soap, water and a non-abrasive sponge. If you’re afraid of heights or have safety concerns, there are also many solar panel cleaning companies that are for hire!
Solar panels rely on the power of the sun, which means weather can be a factor in energy production. If you notice a slight dip in your solar panel energy output, check the weather. If your area has recently had more cloudy or rainy days than normal, you may experience a slight decrease in solar energy production. However, once the weather brightens up, so will your energy output!
If you are still experiencing issues with your solar panels, reach out to our team so we can make sure your solar panels are functioning properly and producing energy!
