Enphase Low Solar Production — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

Check the Enlighten app's per-panel production view — it shows each microinverter's output individually. A single panel showing near-zero output while all others are producing normally points to shading, soiling, or a failed microinverter on that panel.

Affected Models

Enphase IQ8 Series
Enphase IQ7 Series
Enphase IQ6 Series
Enphase IQ5 Series
Enphase M-Series (all models)

Common Causes

Shading on one or more panels — each Enphase microinverter operates independently so shading is visible at the panel level
Dirty panels — bird droppings or dust reducing output
One or more microinverters failed — that panel's output drops to zero
Seasonal change — lower sun angle in winter reduces output naturally
Potential-induced degradation (PID) in older panels

How to Fix It

Open the Enlighten app and check per-panel production.

In the Enlighten app, select your system → Energy → Devices tab. Each panel is shown with its current and historical output. Look for any panel significantly lower than its neighbours on the same roof section — that is your problem panel.
Check for shading on low-output panels.

Stand outside and look at the underperforming panel between 10am and 2pm. Even a small shadow from a vent pipe, aerial, or tree branch covering part of the panel can reduce a microinverter's output by 50–80%.
Clean dirty or soiled panels.

Rinse panels with a garden hose on a cool morning. Enphase's per-panel reporting makes it easy to spot a dirty panel — its output will be consistently lower than identical adjacent panels with no shading. Clean panels regularly in dusty or bird-heavy areas.
Compare this year's production to the same period last year.

In the Enlighten app, switch to the annual view. A sudden step-down in total production compared to the same month last year suggests a panel or microinverter failure. Gradual decline over several years is normal degradation.
Check whether the total system output matches your system size.

On a clear sunny day near solar noon, your system should produce close to its rated capacity (e.g. a 6.6 kW system should produce around 6–6.5 kW peak). If peak output is significantly below the rating, one or more microinverters may have failed.

When to Call a Professional

If a microinverter shows zero or very low output consistently for more than 2 days with no shading, contact your Enphase installer for a warranty replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

One Enphase panel is producing half what the others are — shading or failure?

Look at when the lower output occurs. Consistent lower output at the same time of day (e.g. always lower in the morning) points to shading at that time. Lower output all day every day, regardless of sun position, points to a microinverter failure.

My Enphase system produced great last summer but 15% less this summer — why?

Panel degradation of 0.5–1% per year is normal. A 15% drop in one year is too much to be degradation alone — check for new shading sources, soiling, or failed microinverters in the Enlighten app's per-panel view.