4 Common Reasons Your Solar System Needs Servicing
Your solar system was one of the best investments you ever made for your home or business: clean energy, locked-in rates, and hundreds shaved off every utility bill.
But even the highest-quality panels and inverters aren’t immune to wild weather swings, persistent critters, and the simple passage of time. When those forces strike, production quietly drops, credits disappear, and what used to be effortless savings turns into frustration and unexpected costs. This guide breaks down the four issues we fix every single week, why they happen, and exactly how to get your system running at 100% again, fast.
Here is exactly what goes wrong and how to fix it right the first time, without voiding a single warranty.
#1 Solar Panel Animal Damage
Squirrels treat solar wiring the same way they treat tree branches and chew straight through insulation in weeks. Birds and raccoons build nests under panels that block ventilation, causing overheating and trapping acidic droppings that eat aluminum frames. What starts as a slight dip in output quickly becomes ground faults, arc faults, and a real fire risk. We have seen chewed wires spark and melt conduit in multiple homes due to animal damage alone.
Signs It Might Be Animal Damage
Sudden 10-60% unexplained drop in daily production on clear days.
Ground fault, arc fault, or “DC isolation” errors on Enphase, SolarEdge, or solar performance apps.
Nesting debris, chew marks, or droppings are visible under panel edges from the ground.
How We Fix Animal Damage to Solar
Full system inspection to find hidden chew marks, nests, and hot spots.
Repair wiring to NEC standards and replace any damaged microinverters or optimizers on-site.
Install commercial-grade coated stainless steel animal guard mesh secured every 6 inches around the entire array. It has been proven to stop 99% of future intrusions while remaining wildlife-friendly and virtually invisible from the street.
#2 Solar Panel Storm and Hail Damage
The Kansas City metro sits in one of the highest severe-weather corridors in the country and occasionally experiences large hail, tornadoes, and 60-80 mph straight-line winds. Even STC-rated hail panels develop micro-cracks that let water in and cut output 1-2% per year until they fail completely. Loose racking after wind events can create roof leaks that go unnoticed until attic mold or ceiling stains appear.
Signs It Might Be Storm and Hail Damage
White stress cracks or dents on panels after a hail event (visible with polarized sunglasses).
New water stains on ceilings directly under or near the array.
Production is 15-40% below expected levels for weeks after severe weather.
How We Fix Storm and Hail Damage to Solar
Post-storm inspection with torque testing, electroluminescence imaging, and seal integrity checks.
File warranty and insurance claims the same week with high-quality damage photos that a high percentage of adjusters accept immediately.
Replace modules, re-torque racking, and reseal every penetration while our roofing crews fix shingles and underlayment in the same visit.
#3 Power Surges and Lightning Damage to Solar
Missouri ranks top-10 nationally for lightning strikes, and one close hit can send 20,000+ volts through an unprotected system. Some original solar installations have only utility-side surge protection, leaving the DC string or microinverters vulnerable to issues. A single fried board turns a solar system into an expensive roof ornament until parts arrive weeks later.
Signs It Might Be Power Surges and Lightning Damage
Inverter red light, blank screen, or error codes like “Grid Fault,” “Overvoltage,” or “No Comm.”
The monitoring portal shows 0 kWh production even though the sun is shining.
Faint burnt-electronics smell near the inverter or visible scorch on surge arrestors.
How We Fix Power Surges and Lightning Damage to Solar
Install whole-home surge protection (rated at the highest residential level available).
Run complete diagnostics, document pre-existing protection levels, and evaluate your warranty rapidly.
Swap your inverters and microinverters to get your system back to normal.
#4 Solar Panel Removal and Reinstallation for Roof Replacements
Kansas City homes hit common roofing milestones that call for a new roof long before your solar panels stop producing. If your roof experiences severe weather or tree damage, it may require replacement even sooner. If this happens, your solar array must be safely removed first. Regular roofing companies either refuse the job, charge huge premiums, bring in inexperienced teams, or “work around” the panels and accidentally crack modules, destroy flashing, and void every warranty you have. If you’re facing a scenario like this, Helio GreenTech handles it differently. We are roofing and solar experts, so we handle the entire project under one roof, one contract, and one warranty.
How Helio GreenTech Handles Solar Panel Removal and Reinstallation for Roof Replacements
Safely detach every panel so that zero scratches or hidden cracks occur.
Store your modules and equipment in our climate-controlled storage for the duration of the job.
If you’re hiring us for the whole job, we will fully replace or repair your roof with premium materials from Malarkey or GAF.
Reinstall the array even better than it was installed, with our warranty on both the roof and the solar work (depending on which services you elect).
One Call Fixes it All.
From solar installations, orphaned system rescues, storm repairs, or complete roof replacements, Helio GreenTech stands as Kansas City’s premier team, fully certified in both solar energy and professional roofing.
We promise unparalleled service with rapid responses, exceptional crews, and an unwavering dedication to treating your home or business like your family.
You can always choose Helio GreenTech for your solar and roofing needs with total confidence.
