Solar Performance
How dirt, weather, and panel health affect production.
Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning in San Diego?
Yes — and the production loss from skipping it is bigger than most San Diego homeowners realize. Here's the data and what to do about it.
Bird Droppings on Solar Panels: How Much Production Loss?
Bird droppings cause more solar production loss than general dust — sometimes by a factor of 10. Here's the data and what to do about it.
How Much Does Dirt Actually Reduce Solar Output?
The real-world impact of dirt and soiling on residential solar production — with San Diego numbers.
Hot Spots on Solar Panels: What They Mean
Hot spots are the early-warning sign of failing panels — and a thermal camera is the only way to catch them.
Solar Panel Degradation: What's Normal and What Isn't
Every solar panel degrades over time — but 'fast degradation' usually means something else is wrong.
Micro-Inverter vs. Optimizer vs. String Failures
How different solar topologies fail differently — and what a thermal inspection reveals in each case.
How to Read Your Solar Monitoring Data
What to look for in your Enphase, SolarEdge, or SunPower monitoring data — and when it's time to call a cleaner.
Smoke and Wildfire Impact on Solar Panels in San Diego
Wildfire ash and smoke create heavy, persistent soiling. Here's what to do after the fire.