Solar panel repair: fixing faults, damage and underperformance
Getting a solar system repaired is a different job from having it installed or serviced on a routine schedule. Repair callouts usually happen because a panel has stopped producing, a string has dropped out, hail or storm damage has cracked glass or bent a frame, or a fault code has appeared on the inverter that traces back to the panel array.
A repair job typically starts with fault-finding: checking string voltages, thermal-imaging panels for hot spots, testing isolators and combiner boxes, and confirming whether the issue is a single panel, a wiring fault, or a connector that has failed. From there the technician either repairs in place (re-terminating a connector, replacing a damaged cable) or swaps out a faulty panel entirely.
Because panels age and manufacturers change model lines, matching an existing panel exactly is not always possible after a few years. A good repairer will explain whether a like-for-like replacement is available or whether a close match (same voltage/current class) is the practical option so the string still balances properly.
- Fault-finding and diagnostics for underperforming arrays
- Cracked, delaminated or hail-damaged panel replacement
- Connector, cable and combiner box repairs
- Bird and rodent damage remediation (chewed cabling, nesting under panels)
What it costs
Cost depends heavily on whether the job is a simple connector fix or a full panel swap, how many panels are affected, roof pitch and access, and whether the existing panel model is still available. A single accessible panel replacement is far cheaper than a multi-panel hail damage claim or a job needing scaffolding.
Top 3 by our score
Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for solar energy system service.
- 1. Dr Sparky Electrical924.9★ · 195 reviews
- 2. Positive Energy Solutions904.9★ · 420 reviews
- 3. Fritts Solar935.0★ · 317 reviews
FAQ
- Can a single damaged solar panel be replaced without redoing the whole array?
- Usually yes, though the replacement panel needs to be electrically compatible with the rest of the string so the array performs evenly. If the original model is discontinued, the repairer will source a close match.
- Is storm or hail damage to solar panels covered by insurance?
- Often it can be, but that is a conversation with your home insurer. A repairer can supply a damage assessment and quote you can use for a claim.
- How do I know if my system needs a repair rather than a service?
- A sudden drop in output, a fault light on the inverter, visible cracking, or a string reading zero volts point to a repair issue rather than routine maintenance.