Solar Panels Not Working? 4 Causes, $100 to $300 Diagnostic
When solar panels stop producing, the cause is almost always the inverter, a tripped breaker, an offline monitoring gateway or shading, and a diagnostic visit to find it costs $100 to $300 (GreenLancer, 2026).
The panels themselves lose only about 0.5% of output a year. Check 3 things before calling anyone: the solar breaker, the inverter light and the app's last report time.
Solar panels not working means a home solar system is producing less than expected or nothing at all, and the cause is almost always the inverter, a tripped breaker or disconnect, an offline monitoring gateway, or shading and soiling, rather than the panels themselves, which fail rarely.
If you lease your system or have a power purchase agreement, the financing company owns it and is responsible for this work; call the servicer on your statement (SunStrong for Sunnova and legacy SunPower, Renewbrook for most PosiGen leases). The rest of this page is for owners of cash and loan systems. The owned vs leased guide explains the difference.
System down, an inverter error, or the app showing nothing? Call the solar repair line and describe what you see.
Why are my solar panels not working
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| App shows zero for the whole system, inverter light red or off | Inverter fault or tripped solar breaker | Check the solar breaker and AC disconnect; if on, call for inverter service |
| App shows zero, but the utility bill is normal | Monitoring gateway offline | Reconnect the gateway to WiFi or Ethernet; the system is producing |
| One or a few panels at zero | Failed microinverter or optimizer, or shading | Warranty part from Enphase or SolarEdge; contractor swaps it |
| Production down 10 to 30%, no errors | Soiling, new shade, a degraded panel or a dead string | Clean if dirty; otherwise an inspection with per-panel readings |
| Production stops at the same time each day | Shade from a new tree, structure or chimney | Trim or relocate; optimizers or microinverters reduce the loss |
| Inverter shows an error code | Grid voltage, isolation fault, arc fault or internal failure | Note the code and model; some clear with a reset, others need replacement |
| Smell of burning or scorch marks at a connector | Overheated connector or junction box | Shut off the AC disconnect and call a contractor; do not reset |
Symptoms and causes on residential systems.
System at zero and the installer is gone? Call the repair line with the inverter brand and what the app shows.
Solar panels stopped working after a storm or power outage
Grid-tied inverters shut down during an outage by design and restart on their own within a few minutes of power returning. If the system has not restarted an hour after power is back, the solar breaker tripped or the inverter needs a manual restart. After a lightning storm, surge damage to the inverter or the gateway is common and is usually an insurance matter.
Solar panels producing less than expected
Compare this month with the same month last year in the app; the weather explains differences of a few percent, not 20. Panels lose about 0.5% of output a year, so a 10-year-old array at 95% is normal. Causes of a real drop, in order of frequency: soiling (especially pollen, dust and bird droppings), a failed microinverter or optimizer, new shade, and a failed string. An inspection with per-panel readings ($150 to $350) finds which.
Solar panels not working and the installer is out of business
The diagnosis does not depend on the installer. What you need before calling anyone: the inverter brand and model, what the app shows (or that it shows nothing), and whether the solar breaker is on. Register as owner with the manufacturer so a contractor can see the per-panel data. Equipment under warranty is replaced free by Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla or the panel maker; the contractor charges for the visit and the labor. If your installer is gone, check the bankruptcy tracker for who holds your account, then come back here for the repair.
Solar system troubleshooting: what you can safely check
- The solar breaker in the main panel and the AC disconnect by the inverter: on or off.
- The inverter display or lights: green, red, flashing, or an error code.
- The monitoring app: connected, last report time, per-panel view.
- The panels from the ground: debris, nests, broken glass, new shade.
Nothing else. Do not open the inverter, the combiner box or a junction box, and do not go onto the roof. An array is energized whenever there is light.
Who can fix it
Electrical faults need a licensed electrical contractor in most states; panel, microinverter and monitoring faults are solar technician work. The technician or electrician guide explains who to hire and what a service call costs.
One cause that looks like an equipment fault: squirrels chewing the wiring under the array. If you see nesting material or droppings at the roof edge, the fix includes a critter guard.
More solar guides
Questions people ask
Why is my solar system producing zero?
A tripped solar breaker or AC disconnect, an inverter fault, or a grid outage. Check the breaker and the inverter light first. If the inverter shows an error code, it needs service.
Why does my solar app show no data?
The monitoring gateway lost its internet connection. The panels are still producing. Reconnect the gateway to WiFi or Ethernet, or claim the monitoring account from the manufacturer if the installer closed.
Why are my solar panels producing less than last year?
Soiling, new shade, a failed microinverter or optimizer, or a dead string. Panels themselves lose only about 0.5% a year. An inspection with per-panel readings finds the cause.
Do solar panels work during a power outage?
Not grid-tied systems without a battery. The inverter shuts down by design and restarts when the grid returns. A battery with backup capability keeps the house running.
Can I reset my solar inverter myself?
Turning the AC disconnect and solar breaker off, waiting a minute and turning them on is safe and clears some faults. Anything beyond that, including opening the inverter, needs a licensed technician.
Why are my solar panels not producing?
Most often a tripped solar breaker, an inverter fault, an offline gateway, shade or dirt. Check the breaker, the inverter light and the app before calling.
What is a solar panel ground fault?
Current leaking from the DC wiring to ground, often from damaged insulation, a wet connector or chewed wires. The inverter shuts down and shows a ground or isolation fault. It needs a technician; do not reset it repeatedly.
Who can fix my solar panels?
For an owned system, a licensed solar or electrical contractor; electrical faults need the license in most states. For a lease, the servicer on your statement. The technician or electrician guide explains which trade handles each fault.
Checked the breaker and the inverter light and it is still down? Call the solar repair line and describe the light or code.
- 1Call the line
- 2It rings a local company
- 3They give you the price
Before you book
- License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
- Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
- Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.
Sources (5)
- GreenLancer: Solar Inverter Repairs (2026-09-10)
- SolarEdge: my installer went out of business (2026)
- Enphase Care (2026)
- Fixr: Solar Panel Maintenance Costs (2025-01-31)
- Angi: Solar Panel Inspection 101: What to Expect (2026-07-09)
Talk to a solar technician who serves your area
Have the inverter brand, your installer's name and the address ready. The company will ask about the job and quote its visit fee before anything is booked.
Free call to an independent company in your area that takes this kind of work.