Hot Sun, Low Power? Here’s Why Your Solar Isn’t Delivering Right Now

Top Mistakes Solar Owners Make During the Dry Season

ByGLOBALNET ICT

The dry season should be the best time for solar energy — bright sunlight, clear skies, and long sunny hours.
Yet, many people complain about poor charging, battery drain, inverter shutdowns, or low power output during this period.

Why?

Because heat, dust, and poor maintenance habits reduce solar efficiency drastically.

This guide exposes the top mistakes solar users make during the dry season and exactly how to avoid them, so your system performs at its best even in extreme temperatures.

Hot Sun, Low Power? Here’s Why Your Solar Isn’t Delivering Right Now

1. Not Cleaning Solar Panels Frequently

Dry season comes with dust, harmattan, and dirt buildup.
A dusty panel loses 15–40% efficiency — sometimes more.

Not cleaning your panels:

  • Reduces sunlight absorption
  • Causes overheating
  • Lowers charging speed
  • Shortens panel lifespan

Solution:
Clean 2–3 times per week using water and a soft cloth.
Avoid detergents that leave residue.

2. Mounting Panels Too Close to the Roof Sheet

Panels need airflow underneath to cool down.

During the dry season, roof sheets get extremely hot (up to 70–90°C).
If your panels are sitting directly on them:

  • Their temperature increases
  • Efficiency drops
  • Charging becomes slow

Solution:
Raise panels 6–8 inches above the roof for ventilation.

3. Ignoring Overheating Inverters

Your inverter can shut down more during dry season because heat affects electronics severely.

Signs of inverter overheating:

  • System trips off
  • Fan becomes louder
  • Charging slows down
  • Low-voltage warnings

Many users ignore this until it causes damage.

Solution:

  • Install inverter in cool, ventilated spaces
  • Add a wall fan or cooling vent
  • Keep it away from heat sources (kitchen, windows)

4. Placing Lithium Batteries in Hot Rooms

Lithium batteries hate heat.
Continuous exposure to 35°C+ temperatures reduces their lifespan and can even make them swell.

Dry season heat speeds up battery deterioration.

Solution:

  • Keep batteries in a cool room
  • Avoid direct sunlight
  • Improve ventilation in the battery area

5. Expecting Panels to Perform the Same in Extreme Heat

Most solar users think:

“Hotter sun = more power.”

This is wrong.

Solar panels work with light, not heat.
In fact, high temperature reduces their output.

Panels lose 0.3%–0.5% output per degree above 25°C.

If your panel reaches 70°C, you may lose 20–25% efficiency.

Solution:
Expect a performance drop and compensate by:

  • Adding extra panels
  • Improving ventilation
  • Cleaning regularly

6. Running Heavy Loads During Peak Heat Hours

From 12 PM to 3 PM, the heat is highest and panel efficiency drops.
Starting heavy appliances at this period may overload the inverter or drain the batteries faster.

Solution:
Run heavier loads in the morning (9–11 AM) or late afternoon (4–6 PM).

7. Not Oversizing Solar Panels

Dry season = high heat → lower panel output
Rainy season = low sunlight → reduced charging
Harmattan = thick dust → sunlight blocked

If your solar array was sized too tight, dry season will expose the weakness.

Solution:
Oversize your solar array by 20–35% for stable year-round performance.

8. Using Undersized Cables and Breakers

Heat increases electrical resistance.
Undersized cables:

  • Get hotter
  • Drop voltage
  • Reduce inverter performance
  • Increase risk of fire

Undersized breakers may trip frequently during dry season.

Solution:
Use recommended cable sizes (e.g., 6mm, 10mm, 16mm DC cables) and proper DC/AC breakers.

9. Forgetting to Check Charge Controller Temperature

During intense sunlight, MPPT controllers heat up faster.

If it overheats:

  • It reduces charging speed
  • Voltage fluctuates
  • It shuts down to protect itself

Many users overlook this.

Solution:

  • Provide ventilation
  • Install cooling fans
  • Keep controller away from direct heat

10. Not Monitoring System Performance

Dry season is when problems show clearly.
But many solar owners:

  • Don’t check generation levels
  • Don’t check battery voltage
  • Don’t check daily output
  • Don’t follow maintenance routines

A small issue left unchecked becomes a big expense.

Solution:
Monitor your system weekly — or use solar monitoring apps if available.

Final Thoughts

Dry season is a true test of your solar system.
Heat and dust can significantly reduce performance, but with the right habits and preventive measures, your system can still deliver strong, reliable power.

Avoiding these common mistakes ensures:

  • Faster charging
  • Longer battery life
  • Better inverter performance
  • Lower system stress

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