Why are my solar panels not producing?

The most common causes are a tripped solar breaker, a failed inverter or microinverter, or a monitoring gateway that went offline, which makes the system look dead when it's still producing. Check your breakers and inverter lights first.

Why does my Enphase app say my system is not reporting?

Usually the IQ Gateway lost its internet connection, often after a new router or Wi-Fi password. The panels normally keep producing. If only one or a few panels are not reporting, a microinverter or connector likely needs replacing.

Do solar panels work during a power outage?

Not without a battery. Grid-tied systems shut off during an outage to protect utility crews and restart on their own after the grid returns. A home battery lets solar keep powering your home while the grid is down.

Can you repair solar that another company installed?

Yes. National Solar services systems from other installers, including companies that have closed and SunPower systems, and can file manufacturer warranty claims for brands we're certified on.

How much does it cost to fix a solar inverter?

It depends on whether the part is under the manufacturer's warranty, the inverter type and roof access. Many microinverter replacements are covered by warranty. We give a written price after diagnosing the problem.

Homeowner checking solar production and system status in the Enphase monitoring app on a phone.

Solar troubleshooting

Solar panels not working? Start here

Quick checks for low or zero production, what inverter and Enphase lights mean, and when it's time to call for service.

Request service Call (541) 213-8062

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The short answer

Start with three checks: make sure the solar breaker and any outdoor AC disconnect are on, look at the lights on your inverter or Enphase IQ Gateway, and compare this month's production with the same month last year. The most common causes are a tripped breaker, a gateway that lost its Wi-Fi connection (the panels keep producing but stop reporting), and a failed inverter or microinverter. Low output in an Oregon winter is normal. National Solar repairs systems from any installer.

Updated November 4, 2026

Most common causes: Tripped breaker or gateway off Wi-Fi
"Not reporting": Often still producing, just offline
Normal December output: About 22% to 38% of July
After a grid outage: Restarts on its own within minutes
Enphase microinverters: Long manufacturer warranties, often 25 years
Installed by someone else?: We service any system

Quick checks

Do these first

Open your monitoring app and note what it says: zero production, "not reporting", or just lower than usual.
Check the solar breaker in your main electrical panel and the AC disconnect near your meter, if you have one. Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call for service.
Look at the inverter or gateway lights (see the table below) and write down any error code.
Look at the array from the ground for new shade, heavy dirt, pollen or snow.
Compare kWh with the same month last year, not with last month. Oregon output swings a lot by season.

Symptoms

What the symptom usually means

Common solar problems and what to do about them
What you see	Likely cause	What to do
App shows zero on a sunny day	Tripped solar breaker, or the gateway is offline	Check breakers first, then the gateway's network light
App says "not reporting" for the whole system	New router, changed Wi-Fi password or a power-cycled gateway	Reconnect the gateway to Wi-Fi; the panels usually kept producing
One or a few panels not reporting	Failed microinverter or a loose connector on the roof	Usually a warranty replacement by a certified installer
String inverter shows a red light or error code	Ground fault, arc fault, grid voltage out of range, or a failed inverter	Note the code; call if it doesn't clear after one restart
Production lower every year	Tree growth, soiling, an aging inverter or a damaged panel	A production review and on-site test
Output is low only in winter	Short days, low sun angle, snow	Normal; net metering banks summer credit
System stayed off after a power outage	A breaker tripped when the grid came back	Check breakers; call if it doesn't restart
Bill went up but the system looks fine	Higher rates or higher usage	Compare kWh used; see our high bill guide

App shows zero on a sunny day
Likely cause
Tripped solar breaker, or the gateway is offline
What to do
Check breakers first, then the gateway's network light
App says "not reporting" for the whole system
Likely cause
New router, changed Wi-Fi password or a power-cycled gateway
What to do
Reconnect the gateway to Wi-Fi; the panels usually kept producing
One or a few panels not reporting
Likely cause
Failed microinverter or a loose connector on the roof
What to do
Usually a warranty replacement by a certified installer
String inverter shows a red light or error code
Likely cause
Ground fault, arc fault, grid voltage out of range, or a failed inverter
What to do
Note the code; call if it doesn't clear after one restart
Production lower every year
Likely cause
Tree growth, soiling, an aging inverter or a damaged panel
What to do
A production review and on-site test
Output is low only in winter
Likely cause
Short days, low sun angle, snow
What to do
Normal; net metering banks summer credit
System stayed off after a power outage
Likely cause
A breaker tripped when the grid came back
What to do
Check breakers; call if it doesn't restart
Bill went up but the system looks fine
Likely cause
Higher rates or higher usage
What to do
Compare kWh used; see our high bill guide

Grid-tied systems shut off during a power outage so they don't send power onto lines crews are repairing. That's by design; you need a battery to keep power on.

Why is my electric bill so high?

Enphase systems

Enphase app errors and gateway lights

The IQ Gateway (older systems call it the Envoy) collects data from every microinverter. Solid green lights mean it's communicating and the system is producing.
Amber usually means some microinverters aren't communicating or producing. Red, or no light in daylight, means none are, or the gateway has lost its network connection.
Changed your internet provider or router? The gateway needs to be reconnected to the new Wi-Fi. Your panels keep producing in the meantime; you just lose live data.
Each microinverter has its own status light under its panel. A single "not reporting" panel almost always means one microinverter or connector needs replacing.
Enphase microinverters carry long manufacturer warranties, often 25 years. As an Enphase installer we can diagnose the unit and file the warranty claim.

Enphase vs. SolarEdge in Oregon

String inverters

SolarEdge, SMA and other string inverters

String inverters show their status on a screen or LED and in the manufacturer's app. Write down the exact error code before restarting anything.
Follow the shutdown and restart steps in your inverter's manual once. If the same error returns, call for service.
Standard string inverter warranties are often 10 to 12 years, so a system installed before about 2015 may be due for a replacement. That's also a good time to add a battery.
Never open an inverter or touch panel wiring. Solar panels produce live DC voltage whenever there's daylight.