Solar power is gaining traction across Pennsylvania, from suburban rooftops in the Main Line to farms in Lancaster County. However, PA’s variable climate, including cold winters, strong winds, spring storms, and leafy autumns, can all take a toll on your solar panel system.

As a homeowner, monitoring your system's health is essential to maximizing performance and energy savings. Below are the top 5 signs that your solar panels might need repair in Pennsylvania, along with expert advice on what to do next.

1. Drop in Solar Output During Normal Weather

Your solar system may be underperforming if you're not seeing the expected energy savings, especially during sunny spring or fall days. You should monitor your production data on a monthly basis. If your panels used to generate 25 kWh/day in April but now only produce 15 kWh/day, it’s a sign that something is wrong.

Common Causes in Pennsylvania:

Shading from tree growth or leaf buildup
Inverter or microinverter failure
Snow or debris accumulation
Old or degraded panels

What to Do: Schedule a professional diagnostic with a PA-based solar repair expert to quickly identify and fix the issue.

2. Physical Damage from Snow, Ice, or Wind

Pennsylvania winters can be tough. Heavy snow, ice buildup, and strong wind gusts can cause serious damage to solar panels and racking systems.

Signs to Look For:

Cracked glass from ice expansion
Panels knocked out of alignment
Bent racking hardware
Ice dams are pushing against the array mounts

Why It Matters: Even minor structural issues can lead to systemic inefficiencies or safety risks. And leaving damage unattended can void warranties.

What to Do: After a snowstorm or freeze, have your system visually inspected by a solar repair company familiar with PA weather conditions.

3. Warning Lights or Inverter Alerts

The inverter is the most sensitive part of your solar system and a key performance indicator. If it displays flashing red or yellow lights or error codes, it's alerting you to a problem.

Possible Causes in PA Homes:

Moisture from freeze-thaw cycles
Aging electrical components
Voltage drops due to winter weather

What to Do: Don't ignore inverter alerts. Call a local technician to interpret the code and recommend the right repair.

4. Increased Utility Bills Despite Sunny Days

If your electric bill suddenly rises even though your system should be producing energy, that's a clear sign of reduced efficiency.

Possible Explanations in Pennsylvania:

Leaves or snow covering the panels
Poor performance from older panels
Critter-related damage to wiring
System degradation

What to Do: Compare your current energy bills to those from previous years. If there's an unexplained spike, it's time to book a full system performance check.

5. Chewed Wires or Nesting Under Panels

Pennsylvania's Rural and suburban areas are home to various critters such as squirrels, birds, and raccoons, all of which love nesting under solar panels or chewing through wiring.

Warning Signs:

Rodent droppings near the roof
Exposed or gnawed wires
Birds flying in and out from under the panels

What to Do: These aren't just annoying, they're dangerous. Contact a solar maintenance company that also installs critter guards in Pennsylvania to prevent ongoing damage to your solar system.

Regular Solar Maintenance is a Must in PA's Climate

From snow and storms to falling leaves and pests, Pennsylvania homeowners face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining solar panels. That's why timely inspection and repair are essential.

Benefits of regular maintenance include:

Sustained energy savings
Improved system lifespan
Warranty protection
Reduced risk of costly damage

Trusted Solar Repair in Pennsylvania

At Solar Repair Maintenance, we specialize in solar panel repair and maintenance across Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown, Lancaster, and the surrounding areas.

Our expert services include:

Diagnostic inspections
Panel and inverter repair
Critter guard installation
Seasonal solar maintenance plans

If your system is underperforming or you've noticed any of the signs listed above, schedule a professional inspection today.

Call +1(732) 860 4627 or get a free quote online. We're Pennsylvania's go-to team for solar system repair and protection.

Top 5 Signs Your Solar Panels Need Repair in Pennsylvania