SolarEdge Low Production — Troubleshooting Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

Check the mySolarEdge app for any panels reporting abnormally low output — the per-panel data (via optimisers) will show you exactly which panel has the problem. The most common causes are shading, dirty panels, or a failed power optimiser on one panel.

Affected Models

SolarEdge SE2200H
SolarEdge SE3000H
SolarEdge SE5000H
SolarEdge SE7000H
SolarEdge SE10000H
SolarEdge StorEdge
SolarEdge Three-Phase Inverters

Common Causes

Shading from new structures, tree growth, or dirt on specific panels
Dirty or dusty panels — a layer of grime reduces output by 10–25%
One or more failed power optimisers pulling down the whole string
Inverter throttling due to overheating on hot days
Panel degradation over time — normal, about 0.5% per year
Monitoring data gap making production appear lower than actual

How to Fix It

Check per-panel production in the mySolarEdge app.

Tap Layout in the app to see a heat map of each panel's output. Panels showing red or near-zero output have a problem — shading, soiling, or a failed optimiser. Panels showing green are fine.
Inspect panels for shading and soiling.

Check whether any panels have shade from a chimney, satellite dish, tree branch, or new neighbour structure. Also look for bird droppings, heavy dust, or lichen on any panels — a single dirty panel drags its optimiser output down.
Clean the panels.

Rinse panels with a garden hose on a cool morning. Use a soft squeegee for stubborn bird droppings. Do not use high-pressure water, abrasive cloths, or solvents. Clean panels typically produce 10–20% more than dirty ones.
Compare production to the same period last year.

In the mySolarEdge app, switch to the annual view and compare month-by-month. A gradual decline over years is normal panel degradation. A sudden step-down points to a new shading issue or equipment fault.
Check if the inverter is throttling.

In the app, if the inverter output is capped at a round number (e.g. exactly 5000W all afternoon), the inverter may be export-limited by the network or thermal throttling. Check the inverter temperature and export limit settings.

When to Call a Professional

If the per-panel data shows one or more optimisers consistently at zero or very low output with no shading, the optimiser needs replacement by a licensed installer.

Frequently Asked Questions

SolarEdge production dropped by 20% after winter — is something broken?

Not necessarily. Winter sun angles are lower and days are shorter, so output naturally drops. Compare to the same month last year, not to summer production. If last year's same-month figure was also 20% higher, it is a panel or optimiser issue.

One panel shows zero in the app but has no visible damage — what is wrong?

A panel showing zero with no visible damage almost always means its SolarEdge power optimiser has failed. The optimiser is mounted on or near the panel. A solar installer can swap it in under an hour.