Everything appears to be operating as expected within the scope assessed.
We’ll explain the findings and highlight any monitoring or maintenance considerations.
Solar health checks & fault finding
Is your solar working as hard as it should?
Your solar system should be doing its part to reduce your electricity bills. If something doesn’t seem right, we’ll help you understand how it’s performing and whether anything needs attention.
Solar performance
A solar system can have problems without completely stopping.
Your inverter might still be running, but that doesn’t always mean your solar system is performing as expected.
An underperforming string, inverter issue, wiring fault or change in shading can affect generation without being immediately obvious.
If your electricity bills have changed, your monitoring looks unusual or you simply want a clearer picture of your system’s condition, we can help investigate.
Signs to look for
Noticed a change in your solar?
Higher electricity bills
An unexpected increase may be worth investigating, particularly if household usage and electricity tariffs haven’t changed significantly.
Lower solar generation
Your system appears to be producing less than expected under comparable conditions.
Inverter warnings or errors
Fault codes, warning lights or repeated inverter alerts.
Monitoring problems
Missing data, communication errors or monitoring that no longer reports correctly.
Unexpected shutdowns
Your inverter disconnects or stops operating unexpectedly.
Ageing solar systems
Older installations may benefit from an assessment of their condition and ongoing performance.
What a health check can include
A closer look at the system behind your savings.
We assess the relevant parts of your solar installation to better understand its condition and performance. The exact inspection and testing scope depends on your system, access and the issues you’re experiencing.
System history and performance review
Discuss recent electricity bills, generation records and any changes you’ve noticed.
Inverter assessment
Review inverter operation, displayed faults and relevant operating information.
Solar panel and mounting visual assessment
Inspect accessible and safely visible components for obvious damage, deterioration or installation concerns.
DC wiring and connector assessment
Assess relevant accessible wiring and connections, with electrical testing where appropriate and included in the agreed scope.
AC electrical components
Assess relevant accessible isolation, protection and associated electrical equipment as required by the inspection scope.
Electrical testing
Carry out appropriate testing where necessary, safe and included in the agreed service.
Monitoring and communications
Review monitoring functionality and available generation data.
Findings and recommendations
Explain identified concerns and recommended next steps.
See also:Inverter ReplacementsSolar PV SystemsBattery StorageSolar & BatteriesSolar in HeathridgeSolar in Mullaloo
Performance & safety
Performance matters. So does safety.
Solar systems operate outdoors for years, exposed to heat, weather and changing conditions.
A health check can help identify performance concerns and visible or testable electrical issues that may need attention.
We’ll explain what we’ve assessed, what we’ve found and whether further testing or rectification is recommended.
Solar fault finding
Sometimes it needs more than a quick check.
If your system has stopped generating, repeatedly trips or displays persistent faults, a targeted fault investigation may be more appropriate than a general health check.
We can assess the reported issue and determine what testing or further work is required.
Solar health check
An agreed assessment of the system’s condition and performance.
Targeted fault finding
Investigation of a specific fault, shutdown, error or underperformance issue.
Repairs or replacement
Separate rectification work recommended after the issue has been identified and quoted or otherwise agreed.
After the check
Clear answers about what comes next.
There are three possible outcomes. Which one applies depends on what we find within the scope assessed.
An issue needs further investigation.
We’ll explain the concern and recommend the appropriate next diagnostic steps.
Repairs or upgrades may be worthwhile.
If equipment needs attention, we’ll discuss the available options and provide pricing for any proposed work.
Our process
Understand the problem. Check the system. Know your options.
Step 01
Tell us what’s happening
Share your system details, monitoring concerns, recent bills or any inverter error messages.
Step 02
Confirm the scope
We discuss the appropriate assessment or fault-finding work and explain what’s included.
Step 03
Inspect and test
We complete the agreed checks and applicable testing, subject to safe access and site conditions.
Step 04
Explain the findings
We discuss the results and any recommended next steps.
Why Westcoast
Good advice. No unnecessary replacements.
When something doesn’t seem right with your solar, you want to understand the issue before spending money on new equipment.
We’ll take the time to assess the problem, explain what we find and help you decide what makes sense for your existing system.
Sometimes that means further testing or a repair. Other times, an upgrade may be worth considering. Either way, you’ll understand the options before making a decision.
Qualified electrical work
Carried out by a licensed electrical contractor.
Solar PV accreditation
Both founders hold Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation.
Practical fault finding
We find out what’s going on before recommending anything.
Clear communication
Plain-English explanations of what we find and what it means.
Upfront pricing for agreed work
Clear pricing before any proposed work goes ahead.
Straightforward recommendations
You decide the next step, with the options explained.
Inspections & fault finding
A closer look at the details.
A closer look at the solar systems and equipment we work on.
FAQs
Solar health check questions
Quick answers to common questions. If yours isn't here, give us a call.
Your inverter display and monitoring can provide useful information about generation, but they don’t always tell the full story. If production appears lower than expected or your electricity bills have changed unexpectedly, an assessment may help identify the cause.
It depends on your system and the agreed scope. A health check may include reviewing system performance, inverter operation, accessible equipment condition and relevant electrical testing. We’ll explain what’s included before the work begins.
Inspection and maintenance needs depend on the installation, manufacturer guidance, site conditions and applicable requirements. We can help you understand what may be appropriate for your system.
Possible causes include shading, seasonal conditions, dirt, equipment faults, wiring issues or changes in system operation. Comparing performance under similar conditions and carrying out appropriate checks can help narrow down the cause.
Some systems can continue generating from unaffected strings or sections, depending on the inverter and system design. This can make certain faults less obvious without reviewing the system’s performance.
We can assess relevant accessible components as part of the agreed inspection scope. Roof access, detailed panel testing or other specialist work may need to be arranged separately.
We can discuss suitable rectification options once the issue has been assessed. Repairs, replacement equipment or additional testing may be quoted separately depending on the work required.
Not automatically. Cleaning is a separate activity unless specifically included in the agreed service.
A health check identifies potential concerns but doesn’t itself guarantee improved performance. If a fault is found and rectified, generation may improve depending on the cause.
Your inverter brand and model, approximate system age, any error messages and recent monitoring data can be helpful. If you’ve noticed a change in electricity bills or generation, let us know when it started.
Get in touch
Let’s see how your solar is performing.
Noticed a drop in generation, an inverter warning or something that doesn’t seem right? Tell us what’s happening and we’ll help you work out the next step.
Have your inverter details or monitoring information handy? Include them in your enquiry if you can.