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Historic Rainfall And Solar Performance: What We Learned
Well, that was a winter, wasn’t it? We’re still drying out here in Los Angeles after what felt like a year’s worth of rain decided to show up all at once. While we were all (rightfully) worried about roofs, roads, and reservoirs, a different question started popping up in our minds: what in the world is all this water doing to our solar panels?
If you’ve invested in a solar energy system, seeing it pelted by sideways rain and coated in grimy runoff can be a little nerve-wracking. We get it. We fielded a ton of calls at JD Solar Panel Solutions from concerned homeowners and business owners. So, we decided to turn this historic event into a giant, albeit soggy, learning experience. Let’s break down what we learned about rain, solar, and why you might be looking at your system a little differently now.
The Great SoCal Soaking: A Blessing and a Curse
Let’s be honest, we needed the rain. But did it have to arrive with such… enthusiasm? From a solar perspective, this deluge was a fascinating natural experiment. We saw two immediate and opposing effects playing out across the city.
The Unexpected Spring Cleaning
First, the good news! For many systems, the heavy rain acted like a fantastic, high-pressure, affordable (read: free) solar panel cleaning service. All that water cascading over the panels washed away months—sometimes years—of accumulated dust, pollen, bird droppings, and general LA smog film.
We heard from countless clients who saw a noticeable spike in their energy production as soon as the clouds parted. It was a powerful reminder of just how much a simple cleaning can impact efficiency. It’s the easiest win in the solar playbook. If you noticed your production jump after the storms, you’ve just experienced firsthand why regular solar panel maintenance is so critical.
When Water Becomes the Enemy
Now, for the not-so-good news. While the rain itself is generally harmless, the conditions it creates are not. The real villains of this story weren’t the water droplets, but the debris they carried and the pooling they caused.
We saw systems where gutters overflowed, dumping leaves and dirt directly onto arrays. We saw panels installed on low-pitch roofs where water and muck didn’t properly run off, creating a sticky, shading mud pie on the glass. In some extreme cases, the sheer volume of water tested the seals on older panels or found its way into poorly protected junction boxes.
This is where the difference between a quality solar panel installation and a rushed job becomes painfully obvious. A system designed with proper drainage and sealed to California’s (now proven) extreme standards fared beautifully. Others? Not so much.
The Real-World Impact on Your System’s Health
So, what does all this mean for you, the solar owner? This historic weather event taught us some invaluable lessons about solar panel service and long-term care.
The Hidden Dangers Beyond the Rain
The rain stopped, but the problems it revealed were just beginning. The lingering moisture and dampness created the perfect environment for two sneaky issues:
- PID (Potential Induced Degradation): This is a fancy term for a power leak. In humid conditions, stray currents can find a path to ground through the water and grime on your panel frames, silently sapping your system’s strength over time. It’s a slow burn, but a costly one.
- Microcracks and Hot Spots: Debris that gets stuck on a panel after the water recedes can create shading. This doesn’t just lower output; it can cause individual cells to overheat, creating “hot spots” that permanently damage the panel. If your panels had pre-existing microcracks (often from hailstorms or improper handling), water ingress could accelerate their failure.
Ever wondered why your system’s production hasn’t bounced back to its pre-storm glory, even on sunny days? These hidden issues could be the culprits.
The Critical Importance of a Professional Inspection
This is our biggest takeaway. After an extreme weather event, a visual check from the ground just isn’t enough. Would you diagnose a car’s engine problem by just looking at the hood? Probably not.
A post-storm professional inspection from a qualified solar company does a few key things:
- Thermal Imaging: Uses a special camera to identify hot spots that are invisible to the naked eye.
- Electroluminescence Testing: Can detect microcracks within the cells themselves.
- String Monitoring: Checks the electrical output of each string of panels to pinpoint underperforming sections.
At JD Solar Panel Solutions, our post-storm inspections became one of our most valuable solar maintenance services. We helped homeowners catch small, cheap-to-fix problems before they turned into big, expensive repairs.
Your Post-Deluge Solar Action Plan
Okay, enough with the scary stuff. What should you actually do? Let’s get practical. Here’s a simple plan to ensure your system is still performing at its peak.
Step 1: The Ground-Level Visual Check
First, do a safe visual inspection from the ground with binoculars. What are you looking for?
- Obvious Debris: Are there piles of leaves, branches, or a forgotten tennis ball sitting on your panels?
- Visible Damage: Can you see any cracks or glass damage?
- Pooling Water: Is water still pooling anywhere on or around your array days after the rain stopped?
If you spot any of these, it’s time to call in the pros. And please, for the love of all that is safe, do not get on your wet, slippery roof to check yourself. That’s a one-way ticket to the emergency room.
Step 2: Dive Into Your Data
This might be the coolest part of owning a solar system. Your monitoring app is your best friend here. Pull it up and ask it a few questions:
- Is my current energy production back to where it was for this time of year and weather?
- Did the production bounce back immediately after the rain stopped, or has it remained sluggish?
- Are there any error messages or alerts from the inverter?
If the numbers seem off, your system is telling you something is wrong. Listen to it!
Step 3: To Clean or Not to Clean?
This is the million-dollar question. The rain did a great initial rinse, but it likely left behind a film or stuck-on grime. So, do you need a professional solar panel cleaning?
Our professional opinion? If your production data looks strong, you can probably wait for your next scheduled cleaning. But if the data is down and your visual check shows a dirty array, it’s a worthwhile investment. Just ensure you hire a reputable service that uses deionized water and proper techniques—scrubbing with harsh chemicals or abrasive tools will do more harm than good.
Why Your Installer Matters More Than Ever
This whole experience hammered home a truth we’ve always known at JD Solar Panel Solutions: not all solar installers are created equal. The storms were the ultimate test of installation quality.
A cheap, rushed residential solar installation might have saved a few bucks upfront, but it likely cut corners on mounting hardware, sealing, and overall design. Those are the systems we saw with pooling water and potential leak issues.
A quality installation from a trusted solar energy company plans for these extremes. We factor in roof pitch, drainage, and use top-tier mounting systems and hardware designed to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at Los Angeles. The initial solar panel cost might be a bit higher, but the long-term peace of mind and resilience are worth every single penny.
Think of it like buying a good raincoat. You can get a cheap plastic one that will tear in the first storm, or invest in a well-made Gore-Tex jacket that will keep you dry for a decade.
Let’s Talk Numbers: The Cost of Neglect vs. The Price of Peace of Mind
We know talking about money isn’t always fun, but it’s necessary. Ignoring the signs your system might be struggling after the rains is a financial decision—and not a smart one. Let’s break down the potential costs.
| Issue | Potential Cost of Repair if Caught Early | Potential Cost if Ignored (Full Failure) |
|---|---|---|
| Soiled Panels | $150 – $300 for a professional cleaning | Ongoing energy loss of 5-25% on your power bill, every month. |
| Loose Connection/Wiring | $200 – $500 for a service call and repair | Complete system shutdown, inverter damage ($1,500 – $3,000+) |
| Single Faulty Panel | $0 (often covered by warranty if diagnosed properly) | Hot spots damaging adjacent panels, string underperformance |
| PID (Potential Induced Degradation) | $300 – $600 for a PID box to reverse the effect (if possible) | Permanent power loss of 10-30% across the entire array, non-recoverable. |
| Roof Leak at Mounting Point | $500 – $1,000 to reseal and repair flashing | Major interior water damage, roof deck rot, mold remediation ($5,000+) |
As you can see, a small investment in solar servicing now can save you a massive headache and a huge bill later. It’s the very definition of being penny wise, not pound foolish.
Your Top Questions, Answered
We’ve been talking to folks all over LA, and a few questions keep coming up. Let’s tackle them.
1. My solar monitoring app shows lower production after the storms, but my panels look clean. What gives?
This is a classic sign of a hidden issue. The panels might look clean, but the problem could be electrical—like a loose connection that got wet, a slightly damaged panel, or the beginning of PID. This is exactly when you need a professional diagnostic from a solar panel service team. They have the tools to see what your eyes can’t.
2. How often should I really get my solar panels cleaned?
For most Los Angeles homes, we recommend a professional cleaning once a year. If you’re under a lot of trees or have persistent bird issues, maybe twice a year. The recent rains bought a lot of us some time, but don’t let it make you complacent. Regular cleaning is the simplest form of solar panel maintenance and protects your investment.
3. I’m thinking about going solar. Should I be worried about durability after seeing that rain?
Not at all! In fact, you should be encouraged. Modern solar panels are rigorously tested to withstand extreme weather, including hail and heavy rain. The key is to choose a high-quality installer. Do your research, read reviews, and choose a local solar company near me like ours that stands behind its work with strong warranties. A properly installed system is incredibly resilient.
The Silver Lining
As crazy as that weather was, it provided us all with a powerful reminder. Your solar array is a tough, hardy piece of technology, but it’s not entirely set-it-and-forget-it. A little bit of proactive care and attention goes a long, long way in protecting your investment and maximizing your energy savings.
The sun is finally shining again here in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect time to make sure your system is ready to soak up every single ray it can. If you’re looking at your data with a furrowed brow, or it’s just been a while since a professional looked things over, give us a shout at JD Solar Panel Solutions. We’re here to help you get the most out of your solar power, come rain or shine
