Frequently Asked Questions

The most common signs are a lower electric bill credit than the same month last year, a red or flashing light on the inverter, an error message in your monitoring app, or panels that show zero output while the rest produce. Compare production month to month and year over year rather than day to day, since cloud, dust and heat move daily numbers around. If output has dropped by more than the weather explains, it is worth a test.

Panels lose efficiency as they heat up, and inverters may throttle their own output when they run hot. Spring days in Scottsdale combine strong sun with mild temperatures, which is why many systems post their best numbers in March, April and May. Some summer drop is normal. A sudden drop, or one inverter or string far below the others, is not.

Yes. We do not sell or install new systems, so the systems we repair were put in by other companies, sometimes ones that have since closed. Bring whatever paperwork you have, such as the inverter model, panel model and monitoring login, and we will work from the equipment itself if records are missing.

Often it is. Panels typically last far longer than the inverter attached to them, so replacing a worn-out inverter on a ten-year-old system can bring it back to most of its original output. We compare the repair price with what the system should save in a year so you can decide with numbers in front of you.

A like-for-like repair usually does not change how the house looks. Visible changes, such as pigeon guard mesh around the array edge or moving an inverter to another wall, may fall under your community's design guidelines. Check your HOA's rules, and we can describe exactly what will be visible.

Swapping a failed part for the same model generally does not change your interconnection. Replacing an inverter with a different model or size, adding panels or adding a battery can require updated paperwork with your utility. We check with the utility's requirements before ordering equipment.

Ask for the contractor's Arizona Registrar of Contractors license number on the written estimate and look it up on the ROC website. Make sure the estimate names the specific parts, the labor and any roof work, and ask whether a city permit is part of the job.

String inverters usually wear out well before the panels do, often somewhere in the second decade, and sustained heat shortens that. Microinverters and optimizers are rated for longer, but individual units still fail. The model, the warranty length and where the unit is mounted all matter.

That pattern often points to heat derating or high grid voltage. A clogged fan, direct afternoon sun or a cramped mounting spot can push the unit past its temperature limit. High utility voltage can also cause it to disconnect for safety. Testing tells which it is.

Many inverters have a documented shutdown and restart sequence in the owner's manual, and following it is safe when done exactly as written. If the fault comes back, stop resetting it and have it tested, because repeated faults can point to wiring damage.

A same-model swap usually does not. A different model or capacity can require updated paperwork with APS or SRP, and we check before installing.

It depends on the roofer's schedule more than ours. Removal and reinstall each usually take a day or two for a typical home. The gap in between is the roof work itself, so ask your roofer for their timeline.

Some roofers do, but handling the electrical shutdown, reconnection and testing is solar work, and Arizona requires the right contractor license for it. Ask whoever does it for their ROC license number.

Only if they are damaged or badly underperforming. Healthy panels can go back up. While they are down is a good time to replace brittle connectors or add pigeon guards.

Roof warranties vary by roofer and manufacturer. Ask your roofer how they want the solar attachments handled so the new roof's terms are kept.

Mesh attached with clips to the panel frame does not drill into the panel or the roof. That is the reason clip-on systems are used. Check your panel's warranty terms if you are unsure.

No. The mesh is open, so air still moves under the array. In fact, clearing out packed nesting usually improves airflow compared with what was there.

Climbing on tile and working under live electrical equipment is risky, and the droppings can carry disease. Without guards, the pigeons usually return within weeks.

We remove pigeon nests during the cleanout. If we find a nest from a protected native bird, we plan the work around it.

It depends on the system's size in kilowatts, the roof's direction and tilt, shading and age. Output in Scottsdale peaks in spring and dips in midsummer heat. The inspection gives you a monthly expected range so you can check it yourself afterward.

Ask the seller for the installation paperwork, the inverter and panel models, the monitoring login, and any lease or loan documents. Find out whether the system is owned or leased, because leased systems are usually serviced by the leasing company.

Panels lose a little output each year, and the manufacturer's datasheet lists the expected rate. Cracked glass, browning or hot spots cause faster loss and show up during an inspection.

There is no fixed rule. Watching monthly production and acting on a drop is a sensible approach, along with a full check if you buy a home with solar or plan roof work.

Usually, yes, because that panel makes nothing until it is fixed. If the unit is under warranty, the part may be covered. Waiting until two or three have failed can save a trip, but every month costs that panel's output.

When every panel drops out at once, the cause is more often the gateway, the home network or a tripped breaker than many microinverters failing together. Check the breaker and the gateway's lights first.

Sometimes. It depends on the manufacturer and whether the new model works with your trunk cable and gateway. We confirm compatibility before ordering.

A single unit on an accessible part of the roof is a short job. Panels in the middle of a large array on tile take longer because more panels may need to be lifted to reach them.

A hard rain helps, but Scottsdale gets so little that dust builds up for long stretches. Light rain often leaves a dried muddy film, and bird droppings rarely wash off on their own.

No. High pressure can force water past seals and damage the glass coating, and some manufacturers say not to use it. Low-pressure water and a soft brush are safer.

Panel glass gets very hot in the Scottsdale sun, and cold water on hot glass can stress it. Washing when panels are cooler is also more effective, since water does not flash-dry into spots.

Gentle washing with water and a soft brush is what most manufacturers recommend. Abrasive tools, harsh chemicals and pressure washers are what to avoid.