Ground-Mount Solar: Common Problems and Warning Signs
Last verified: September 2026
A ground array rarely gives trouble, and because you can walk right up to it, the few things that do crop up are easy to spot early. Here's what to watch for — and why the fixing is always a pro's job. Worried about something? Call (330) 200-8042.
What to Watch For
A ground array asks for very little, but it helps to know the handful of things that can go wrong — so you catch them early. Watch for a real drop in production that isn't just clouds or winter, a leaning frame from frost heave or settling, loose or rusting hardware, critter-chewed wiring, an inverter warning light, a breaker that keeps tripping, or water pooling under the array. Your job is to notice and note these — take a photo, read the light, jot the date. The fixing, especially anything electrical, is always a licensed pro's job, and you should never open a panel, box, disconnect, or the inverter. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 My solar production dropped. Should I panic?
Not at all. First check the simple things — clouds, the season, shade, dirt, or snow on the glass. A real, lasting drop that none of those explain is worth reporting to your installer, but a seasonal dip is completely normal.
2 Can I clean the panels or tighten a bolt myself?
You can gently rinse reachable glass from firm footing. Leave the hardware to your installer, though — bolts need the right tightness, and guessing can do harm. And never touch anything electrical.
3 The inverter has a red warning light. What do I do?
Read any message it shows, note when it started, and call your installer. Don't open it or try to reset anything inside. Many faults are minor, but diagnosing and fixing them is a pro's job.
4 Why is my frame starting to lean?
A post can heave up over the winters or settle unevenly, especially in wet clay or poorly drained ground, and the frame tilts. Report it to your installer — caught early it's usually a straightforward fix, and it isn't something to shore up yourself.
5 My solar breaker keeps tripping. Can I leave it on?
No — please stop resetting it and call your installer. A breaker trips to protect you, and repeated tripping is a warning that something needs a professional's attention, not a workaround.
6 When is a warning sign an emergency?
Treat a burning smell, smoke, sparks, or scorching as urgent: keep everyone well back, don't touch anything, and call your installer — or 911 if there's any risk of fire. Slower signs like a little rust can wait for the next service visit.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
If something about your solar array has you wondering, you don't have to lie awake over it or figure it out alone. Send me a photo and I'll help you decide whether it's nothing, something to watch, or a reason to call your installer — with the right information in hand. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).