Introduction

Solar panels are the heart of your solar system — if they fail, your entire system suffers.
In Nigeria, panels get damaged due to weather, poor installation, low-quality brands, and harsh sunlight.

A bad panel affects:
❌ battery charging
❌ inverter stability
❌ daily power supply
❌ overall efficiency

In this guide, Solarzone Nigeria explains the top signs of a bad solar panel, how to test it, and when to replace it.

⭐ 1️⃣ Low or No Charging Current From the Panel

If your MPPT shows:

• 1A, 2A, 3A (instead of 8A–15A)

• low voltage

• fluctuating input

It means the panel may be weak.

✔ Solution:

• test individual panels

• replace weak panels

• check wiring

⭐ 2️⃣ Solar Panel Producing Low Voltage

Each panel has a normal voltage range (e.g., 18V–22V for 12V panels, 36V–44V for 24V panels).

If the voltage is far below normal, the panel is failing.

❌ Example:

• A 24V panel showing 10V–15V = BAD

⭐ 3️⃣ Visible Cracks or Broken Glass

Cracks reduce sunlight capture and cause:
❌ low output
❌ internal damage
❌ hot spots

Replace broken panels immediately — even small cracks affect performance.

⭐ 4️⃣ Discoloration or Burn Marks (“Hot Spots”)

If you see:

• black spots

• yellow patches

• burnt areas

This indicates overheating.

Hot spots reduce efficiency and can lead to fire hazards.

⭐ 5️⃣ Delamination (Panel Turning White or Foggy)

When the laminated film starts peeling or turning white, sunlight penetration reduces drastically.

❌ Causes:

• heat

• poor-quality panel

• age

• UV damage

Replace delaminated panels quickly.

⭐ 6️⃣ Water or Moisture Inside the Panel

If water enters the panel:

• output drops

• corrosion begins

• internal cells fail

✔ Signs:

• fog under the glass

• moisture bubbles

• water droplets

A panel with water inside must be replaced.

⭐ 7️⃣ Burnt or Loose MC4 Connectors

Faulty MC4 connectors cause:
❌ low charging
❌ voltage drop
❌ inconsistent panel performance

Check connectors for:
✔ heat
✔ black/brown burn marks
✔ loose connection

Solarzone replaces damaged MC4 connectors.

⭐ 8️⃣ Corroded Panel Terminals

Rain, humidity, and salt (coastal areas) cause corrosion.

Corroded terminals lead to:
❌ weak output
❌ intermittent charging
❌ MPPT errors

Replace or clean terminals.

⭐ 9️⃣ Panel Not Responding Even Under Full Sun

If one panel in a string produces zero power:

• the entire string loses output

• batteries charge slower

✔ Fix:

• test voltage on each panel

• isolate faulty panel

• replace immediately

⭐ 🔟 Panels Getting Too Hot

Solar panels get warm, but should never be extremely hot.

If a panel is heating abnormally:

• an internal cell is damaged

• wiring fault exists

• bypass diode is faulty

Hot panels = performance loss + safety risk.

⭐ 11️⃣ Poor Performance During Sunny Hours

If your system performs better at 10am but drops at 12 noon, the panel may be overheating or damaged.

Healthy panels produce maximum output between 11am – 3pm.

⭐ 12️⃣ Mismatch in Series/Parallel Strings

If one panel is:

• lower wattage

• different brand

• older

It reduces the performance of the entire array.

Solarzone balances your solar panel configuration for best output.

⭐ How to Test if a Solar Panel Is Bad

✔ Step 1: Inspect Physically

Look for cracks, burns, moisture, or discoloration.

✔ Step 2: Check Voltage With Multimeter

Compare with expected rating.

✔ Step 3: Check Current Under Sun

Measure output amps.

✔ Step 4: Isolate Panels One by One

Disconnect and test individually.

Solarzone performs full panel testing with professional equipment.

⭐ When Should You Replace a Solar Panel?

Replace your panel if:
✔ voltage is low
✔ current is low
✔ panel is cracked
✔ panel has hot spots
✔ panel is delaminated
✔ MC4 connectors are burnt
✔ moisture is inside
✔ panel is older than 10–15 years
✔ system performance drops

Replacing one weak panel restores system efficiency.

⭐ Why Choose Solarzone for Panel Inspection & Replacement

Solarzone provides:

⭐ Solar panel testing
⭐ Panel replacement
⭐ Panel upgrade to mono 550W–600W
⭐ MC4 replacement
⭐ Wiring correction
⭐ Tilt-angle adjustment
⭐ Full system diagnosis
⭐ Commercial panel inspection
⭐ Warranty-backed installations

We ensure your panels perform at maximum capacity every day.

🏁 Final Thoughts

A single bad solar panel can affect your entire system.

Look out for:
✔ cracks
✔ low voltage
✔ moisture
✔ burn marks
✔ low current

If any panel is bad, replace it immediately.

Let Solarzone Nigeria inspect, diagnose, and replace any faulty panel for maximum efficiency.

💥 Call to Action

⚡ Need solar panel testing or replacement?
Contact Solarzone Nigeria today for inspection and upgrade.

📞 Call/WhatsApp: 09091394722