Understanding Panel-to-Panel Production Differences
If you're checking your monitoring portal and notice certain panels producing more or less than others, don't panic -- this is completely normal. Solar panels don't all receive sunlight in the exact same way throughout the day.
Here are the most common reasons behind these differences:
The Sun Moves Throughout the Day
As the sun rises in the east, peaks south at noon, and sets in the west, different panels receive direct sunlight at different times. Panels facing slightly different directions or angles naturally perform differently depending on the hour.
Shading Effects
Anything that blocks even a small amount of sunlight can temporarily lower a panel's production. These obstructions can impact some panels while leaving others in full sun. Shading can come from:
Trees
Neighboring buildings or houses
Chimneys
Vent pipes
Other roof sections
Snow accumulation
Roof Layout Differences
Many homes have multiple roof planes, pitches, or orientations. Panels on one roof section may get ideal sunlight while panels on another plane receive sunlight for fewer hours or at a different angle.
Microinverter or Optimizer Behavior
If your system uses optimizers or microinverters, each panel works independently. That means any difference in sunlight, shading, or angle is directly reflected in the monitoring -- which is a good thing because it prevents one panel from pulling down the whole system.
When Should You Be Concerned?
Slight variations are normal. However, you should reach out if you notice:
One panel showing zero production constantly
A sudden dramatic drop isolated to one panel
Differences that don't match shading or sunlight patterns
We can review your system and confirm that everything is operating correctly.