When Your Solar Stops Producing - Safe First Checks
Last verified: September 2026
Solar making little or nothing? Most of the time it's simple and harmless. Here are the safe checks anyone can do — and the firm line on what to leave to a pro. Questions? (330) 200-8042.
When Solar Stops, at a Glance
Glanced at the app and your solar is making little or nothing? Most of the time it's simple and harmless. Check the safe things first: is the neighborhood power out (grid-tied solar shuts off in an outage on purpose)? is your internet down (the app can say 'offline' while the panels keep working)? is it night, heavy cloud, or snow on the panels? Then read the inverter's light or screen from the outside and note any message. For anything else, call your installer — and never open the inverter or climb the roof. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 My solar is making no power — what should I check first?
Is the neighborhood power out? Grid-tied solar shuts off in an outage on purpose. Then check the weather and whether snow covers the panels. Those explain most sudden drops.
2 The app says offline but it's sunny — is my system broken?
Usually not. The app needs internet to report, so 'offline' most often means your home internet or router is down while the panels keep working. Check the internet first.
3 Can I fix a solar problem myself?
You can safely check the grid, the internet, the weather, the inverter's outside light, and whether a breaker looks tripped. Anything hands-on — opening the inverter, roof work, wiring — is a licensed pro's job.
4 My inverter has a red or flashing light — what do I do?
Note or photograph exactly what it shows and call your installer. Don't open the inverter. Our error-messages guide helps you understand common warnings, but the fix belongs to the pro.
5 A solar breaker tripped — should I reset it?
You may switch it back on once if it's clearly a solar breaker and you're comfortable. But if it trips again, stop — it's warning you of a real problem. Never force it or reset it repeatedly.
6 When should I stop and call right away?
Immediately for any burning smell, scorching, smoke, water in the inverter, sparks, or a breaker that keeps tripping — and call 911 first for any sign of fire. Keep your distance and let a pro handle it.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Solar acting up and not sure what you're seeing? I'll help you tell a harmless hiccup from a real fault — safely, over the phone or in person — and help you make the call to your installer if needed. Nothing to sell you. $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).