Professional Solar System
Repair in San Diego

What's Wrong With My Solar System?

Common Warning Signs

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Not sure what's actually wrong — just that something's off? Here's what the most common symptoms usually mean, and how urgent each one is.

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Inverter Is Blinking or Flashing Red

A solid or flashing red light on your inverter almost always means the unit has detected a fault and shut itself down to protect your system. Depending on the brand, this can mean anything from a minor grid-voltage fluctuation (which may clear on its own) to a failed internal component that needs replacement. SolarEdge inverters show a red light for isolation faults and AFCI faults; Enphase microinverters report faults through the Envoy gateway rather than a light on the unit itself; SMA Sunny Boy units use a red LED for grid or DC-side faults. If the light doesn't clear within 24 hours, or it's been flashing intermittently for more than a few days, it's time for a diagnostic visit — a lingering fault usually means real production is being lost every day it goes unaddressed.

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Solar Panels Producing Zero Output

If your system suddenly shows 0 kWh production, start by checking your monitoring app for an error message — a full stop like this usually points to one of three things: a tripped disconnect switch, a failed inverter, or a communication failure between the panels and the inverter (common after a storm, power outage, or utility work on your street). This is one of the more urgent issues on this list, since every day at zero output is a day you're pulling full-price power from SDG&E instead of your system.

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SolarEdge Error Codes

SolarEdge inverters display numeric error codes on the LCD screen or in the SolarEdge monitoring app. A few of the most common ones we see in San Diego systems:

• Isolation fault — usually a moisture intrusion or wiring issue at a panel-level optimizer

• AFCI fault — the inverter has detected a possible arc fault and shut down as a safety measure

• Off-grid / grid disconnect fault — often tied to SDG&E grid fluctuations rather than a system defect

• Optimizer communication error — one or more power optimizers has stopped reporting to the inverter

If you can see the specific code on your unit or in the app, tell us when you call — it lets us bring the right replacement parts on the first visit instead of a return trip.

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Enphase Envoy / Monitoring App Shows Offline

If the Enphase app shows your system as "offline" but your lights are still on and the house has power, the issue is almost always with the Envoy gateway's internet connection — not the solar panels themselves. Common causes: a router or modem reset that broke the Envoy's Wi-Fi pairing, a firmware update that stalled, or (less commonly) a failed Envoy unit. This one's often a same-day fix.

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Sudden Drop in Production (Without Going to Zero)

A gradual decline over months usually points to shading nearby tree growth is the most common cause we see in older San Diego neighborhoods — or a slow-failing optimizer/microinverter. A sudden drop of 20-40% overnight is more often a single failed component (one bad microinverter or optimizer can take a whole string down with it) or a dirty panel surface after a dry spell with no rain to clear dust.

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Inverter Making a Loud Buzzing or Humming Noise

A quiet hum is normal for most string inverters. A loud buzz, rattle, or a noise that's noticeably louder than usual is worth a diagnostic call — it can indicate a failing internal fan, a loose internal component, or (in older units) a transformer nearing end of life.

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Powerwall or Battery Not Charging or Discharging Properly

If your Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery is stuck at a fixed charge level, not charging during the day, or not discharging during peak hours, the cause is usually a firmware/gateway communication issue rather than a battery cell problem — but a battery that's aged past its usable cycle count can also cause this. We check both the gateway connection and the battery's actual charge/discharge behavior during a diagnostic visit.

 

Not sure which of these matches what you're seeing? Call us at (858) 215-4949 and describe what your system or app is showing — we can often narrow down the likely cause before we even arrive.