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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteSystem not producing? Monitoring offline? Squirrels chewing wires? This is your complete guide to diagnosing solar problems, understanding repair costs, and knowing when you need a professional.
Quick Answer
Most solar system issues fall into three categories: inverter/optimizer failures (covered by 12-25 year manufacturer warranties), physical damage from critters or storms (repair costs $300-$1,200), and monitoring outages (usually a free Wi-Fi fix). In New England, panel cleaning is rarely needed — rain and snow handle it. Annual inspections cost $150-$300 and catch problems early. If your installer is out of business, your equipment warranties are still valid.
Here are the eight most common problems we see across residential solar systems, with honest information about severity, whether you can fix it yourself, and what it typically costs.
Severity: High
Symptoms: Entire system producing zero. Red/orange LED on inverter. Error codes on display.
String inverters last 10-15 years — shorter than panels. A failed inverter means your entire system is offline. Replacement takes 2-4 hours for a licensed electrician. Some manufacturers (SolarEdge, Fronius) offer 12-25 year warranties. Check your warranty first — you may pay nothing.
Severity: Medium
Symptoms: One or a few panels producing zero while others work normally. Monitoring shows individual panel dropouts.
Enphase microinverters have 25-year warranties, so replacement is often covered. The cost is mostly labor — accessing the unit under each panel requires roof work. If multiple microinverters fail simultaneously, the issue may be electrical (wiring, breaker) rather than the units themselves.
Severity: Medium
Symptoms: SolarEdge monitoring shows one or more optimizers offline. Reduced string voltage. System underperforming.
SolarEdge optimizers sit behind each panel and have 25-year warranties. A failed optimizer reduces the entire string performance. Replacement requires roof access and a licensed installer. SolarEdge diagnostics can pinpoint the exact failed unit remotely.
Severity: Medium-High
Symptoms: Chewed wiring visible. Nesting material under panels. Intermittent production drops. Ground fault errors.
Squirrels chew through DC wiring — this is both a production and fire hazard. Repair involves replacing damaged wiring and installing critter guards (mesh screening around panel edges). Prevention is cheaper than repair: critter guard installation costs $500-$1,000 for a typical system.
Severity: High
Symptoms: Visible cracks or shattered glass on panels. Sudden production drop after a storm. Loose racking or mounting hardware.
Modern panels withstand 1-inch hail at 50 mph, but larger hail or flying debris can crack glass. Homeowner insurance typically covers storm damage (minus deductible). Document damage with photos before touching anything. A cracked panel may still produce power but is a safety risk — do not handle it yourself.
Severity: Low-Medium
Symptoms: Gradual production decline beyond normal 0.25-0.5%/year degradation. Hot spots visible on thermal imaging.
Panels degrade 0.25-0.5% per year — a 10-year-old system should still produce 95%+ of original capacity. If degradation is faster, it may indicate manufacturing defects covered by the 25-year performance warranty. Hot spots (cell-level failures) accelerate degradation and can be detected with thermal imaging during an annual inspection.
Severity: Low
Symptoms: Enphase Enlighten, SolarEdge, or Generac app shows no data. Wi-Fi symbol flashing on gateway/envoy.
Most monitoring outages are Wi-Fi problems, not equipment failures. Your system is still producing power — it just cannot report data. Restart your router, then restart the monitoring gateway (Enphase Envoy, SolarEdge SetApp, Generac PWRview). If the gateway LED stays red after reboot, the unit may need replacement ($200-$400).
Severity: High
Symptoms: Inverter displays ground fault error code. System shuts down for safety. Error recurs after reset.
Ground faults indicate current leaking to the grounding system — often caused by damaged wire insulation, moisture intrusion, or critter damage. This is a safety mechanism; do not attempt to bypass it. A licensed electrician needs to locate the fault using a megohmmeter. The repair itself is usually simple once the fault is found.
Solar panels produce high-voltage DC electricity. Knowing what you can safely handle versus what requires a licensed professional could prevent injury or voiding your warranty.
Solar panels produce DC electricity whenever sunlight hits them — there is no "off switch" for the panels themselves. Even with rapid shutdown (NEC 2017+), conductors on the roof can carry dangerous voltage. Never touch exposed wiring, connectors, or the back of panels. All electrical work on a solar system should be performed by a licensed electrician or NABCEP-certified installer.
Unlike desert climates where dust accumulates, New England gets enough rain and snow to keep panels reasonably clean year-round. Here is when cleaning actually matters.
Bottom line: If you feel compelled to clean, use a garden hose from the ground on a cool morning. Professional cleaning ($150-$300) typically recovers only 2-5% of production — rarely worth it in New England.
A professional inspection costs $150-$300 and catches problems before they become expensive. Here is what should be checked and how often.
| Inspection Item | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Visual panel inspection (cracks, discoloration, bird droppings) | Annually |
| Check mounting hardware and racking for corrosion or looseness | Annually |
| Inspect wiring and conduit for critter damage or wear | Annually |
| Review monitoring data for underperforming panels | Monthly |
| Verify inverter LED status and error codes | Monthly |
| Check critter guards for gaps or damage | Annually |
| Inspect roof penetrations and flashing for leaks | Annually |
| Clear any debris accumulation around ground-mount systems | Seasonally |
| Verify production against expected output for the month | Monthly |
| Test rapid shutdown functionality (NEC 2017+) | Every 3 years |
Roof replacement is the most common reason to temporarily remove solar panels. This adds $1,500-$3,000 to your roofing project, but the process is straightforward.
| Step | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar panel removal (disconnect, de-rack, palletize) | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Roof replacement (standard asphalt shingle, 2,000 sq ft) | $8,000-$15,000 |
| Solar reinstallation (re-rack, reconnect, inspect) | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Total with solar removal + reinstall | $10,500-$19,000 |
If your panels are 15+ years old, roof replacement is the perfect time to upgrade. Modern panels produce 30-50% more power per panel than those from 2010. You are already paying for removal — adding new panels to the reinstall is significantly cheaper than a separate project.
Your solar company removes the panels first, then the roofer does their work, then the solar company reinstalls. Schedule all three together to avoid delays. Some companies (including NuWatt) handle both the removal and reinstall, coordinating directly with your roofer.
Whether you want more panels, a battery backup, or both — here is what it takes to upgrade an existing solar installation.
Note: New panels will be more efficient than your originals. Your monitoring will show the newer panels outproducing the older ones — this is normal and expected, not a problem with your original equipment.
Best fit: Backup power during grid outages is the primary reason to add a battery. With net metering, batteries do not significantly improve economics — they excel at energy independence and peace of mind during storms.
Your monitoring system going offline is the number-one call we get — and it is almost never an actual equipment problem. Here is how to troubleshoot each platform.
What to Check
Panel-level production, Envoy connectivity, alerts tab
Troubleshooting Steps
Restart Envoy (unplug 30 sec, replug). Check Wi-Fi. If Envoy LED stays solid red, contact Enphase support for replacement.
What to Check
Optimizer-level data, inverter status, string voltage, error logs
Troubleshooting Steps
Use SetApp to reconnect Wi-Fi. Check inverter display for error codes. If optimizer shows gray (offline), it may need physical replacement.
What to Check
Battery state of charge, solar production, grid import/export, backup reserve
Troubleshooting Steps
Restart PWRcell inverter via breaker. Reconnect PWRview hub to Wi-Fi. If beacon LED is off, the hub may need firmware update or replacement.
What to Check
Powerwall charge level, solar production, Storm Watch status, energy flow
Troubleshooting Steps
Restart gateway via Tesla app or breaker. Check Wi-Fi/cellular. If gateway shows offline, Tesla support may push a remote firmware update.
Solar systems have multiple overlapping warranties. Understanding which warranty covers your specific issue saves time and money.
Coverage
25-year performance (80% output at year 25), 12-25 year product defects
Who Handles It
Panel manufacturer (REC, Silfab, Canadian Solar, etc.)
How to File
File claim through manufacturer portal. Provide serial number, monitoring data showing underperformance, and photos. Manufacturer ships replacement panel; you pay labor for swap.
Watch Out For
Performance warranty requires proof of degradation beyond spec. Annual monitoring data is essential. Without it, claims are difficult.
Coverage
12-25 years depending on brand (Enphase 25yr, SolarEdge 12yr extendable)
Who Handles It
Inverter manufacturer
How to File
Report via manufacturer app/portal. They diagnose remotely if possible. Approved replacements ship to your installer or directly to you.
Watch Out For
SolarEdge standard warranty is only 12 years. The extended 25-year warranty must be purchased at installation. If your installer did not buy it, you may be out of warranty sooner than expected.
Coverage
5-25 years covering installation quality (leaks, wiring, mounting)
Who Handles It
Your original solar installer
How to File
Contact installer directly. If they are out of business, this warranty is worthless — which is why installer stability matters. NuWatt honors all our workmanship warranties and services orphaned systems.
Watch Out For
If your installer goes bankrupt or disappears, the workmanship warranty dies with them. Manufacturer warranties on panels and inverters are still valid regardless.
Coverage
10-20 years covering roof leaks caused by solar mounting
Who Handles It
Installer or third-party (some use IronRidge/Unirac leak-free guarantees)
How to File
Document any leaks with photos and timestamps. Contact installer first. Some racking manufacturers offer independent leak warranties if installer used their flashing system.
Watch Out For
Traditional roof-mount installations void the roofing manufacturer warranty in the area around penetrations. Flashing-based systems (IronRidge FlashFoot) maintain roof warranty integrity.
Your installer went out of business, got acquired, or just stopped returning calls. You are not alone — and your system is not a lost cause.
Check your inverter brand (label on the unit or in your monitoring app). Check panel brand (label on back edge). You need this for warranty claims.
Panel and inverter warranties survive installer bankruptcy. Call Enphase, SolarEdge, REC, or whoever made your equipment — they honor their warranties regardless.
A new installer can evaluate your system, reconnect monitoring, and identify any issues. This typically costs $150-$300 for a thorough inspection.
Find an installer who services orphaned systems. Not all do — look for companies that explicitly offer this service. NuWatt services orphaned systems across New England.
We specialize in adopting orphaned solar systems. Full system assessment, monitoring reconnection, warranty claim assistance, and ongoing service plans. Learn more about our Solar Orphan Rescue program →
Whether you are a NuWatt customer or an orphaned system owner, we offer comprehensive solar service across New England.
$150-$300
Complete system inspection, monitoring reconnection, production analysis, and written report with recommendations.
$1,500-$3,000
String inverter swap, warranty claim filing, electrical testing, and monitoring reconfiguration.
$1,500-$3,000
Safe removal for roof replacement, secure storage, and professional reinstallation with updated flashing.
$500-$1,000
Mesh screening around panel perimeter to prevent squirrels, birds, and other animals from nesting underneath.
$10,000-$18,000
Add battery backup to your existing solar system. Enphase IQ, Tesla Powerwall, or Generac PWRcell options.
$3,000-$8,000
Add panels to your existing system. Includes permitting, utility interconnection update, and monitoring integration.
Whether you need repairs, maintenance, or want to explore adding solar to your home, start with our Instant Quote tool for a personalized estimate.
Get Your Free QuoteCosts vary by issue. Monitoring fixes are usually free (Wi-Fi restart). Microinverter replacement runs $300-$700 per unit, string inverter replacement $1,500-$3,000, critter damage repair $400-$1,200, and storm-damaged panel replacement $300-$600 per panel plus labor. Many repairs are covered under manufacturer warranties — check your warranty documentation before paying out of pocket.
In New England, solar panels require very little maintenance. Rain and snow naturally clean panels — professional cleaning is rarely needed. An annual visual inspection (checking for cracks, loose mounting, critter damage) and monthly monitoring review is sufficient. No moving parts means minimal wear. Budget $150-$300/year for a professional annual inspection if you want peace of mind.
Almost certainly not. When monitoring goes offline, your system is usually still producing power — it just cannot report data. The most common cause is a Wi-Fi change (new router, changed password). Restart your monitoring gateway (Enphase Envoy, SolarEdge gateway) and router. If the gateway LED stays red after reboot, the unit itself may need replacement ($200-$400).
Panel removal and reinstallation typically costs $1,500-$3,000 total ($1,000-$1,500 for removal, $1,500-$2,500 for reinstallation). The panels are disconnected, removed from the racking, and stored safely while the roof is replaced. The racking is then reinstalled with new flashing and the panels reconnected. If your panels are over 15 years old, consider upgrading to newer, higher-efficiency panels during reinstallation.
Yes, in most cases. Enphase microinverter systems are the easiest to expand — just add new microinverters and panels. SolarEdge string inverter systems can add panels if the inverter has capacity, otherwise you may need a second inverter. Key considerations: your electrical panel must have space, your utility interconnection agreement may need updating, and newer panels will produce more than your originals.
You are a "solar orphan" — and you are not alone (thousands of systems are orphaned each year). Your manufacturer warranties on panels and inverters are still valid regardless of installer status. Contact the manufacturer directly for warranty claims. For service and repairs, find a new installer experienced with your equipment. NuWatt specializes in servicing orphaned solar systems across New England.
In New England, typically no. Rain washes away most dirt and pollen, and snow slides off panels naturally (and even provides a cleaning effect). The exception is heavy bird droppings or tree sap that does not wash off — a garden hose from the ground can handle this. Never use a pressure washer, abrasive cleaners, or walk on panels. Professional cleaning ($150-$300) is rarely worth the 2-5% production gain.
Yes. Battery retrofits are increasingly common as backup power demand grows. Enphase IQ batteries integrate natively with Enphase microinverter systems. Tesla Powerwall works with most systems via AC-coupling. Expect to pay $10,000-$18,000 installed for 10-15 kWh of storage. Your existing electrical panel may need a subpanel or transfer switch for backup circuit selection.