Check your solar system is working correctly in four easy steps
With electricity prices predicted to rise, now is the perfect time to ensure your solar system is operating efficiently.
Queensland leads the nation in rooftop solar adoption, with more than one in three households harnessing solar energy1.
However, many homeowners may not realise their system isn’t performing at its best.
RACQ research reveals that nearly one in four Queenslanders with solar don’t know how to identify potential issues with their system2.
Concerningly, this comes as the Australian Energy Regulator has proposed a 5.8% increase to the Default Market Offer for South East Queensland3. This increase could add $119 to annual electricity bills from July.
To help you maximise savings and efficiency, our RACQ Solar experts have outlined four easy steps you can take to check if your solar panels are working correctly.
1. Compare your electricity bills
If your energy usage has remained consistent, the total amounts on your electricity bills should be similar from year to year. However, if your recent bill shows a significant increase compared to the previous, you might want to investigate potential issues with your solar panels.
2. Visually inspect your solar panels
If it is safe to do so, you can visually inspect your roof and solar panels. Look for any signs of wear and tear, such as dust accumulation, damage or cracks. While dust is typically not a significant concern since it gets washed away by rain, accumulated dust, tree sap, and bird droppings can impact the efficiency of the panels. Additionally, examine your surroundings for any new sources of shade. Are there any nearby renovated buildings or trees that may have grown and are now causing shading issues?
3. Inspect the inverter
It is important to look at the indicator light that appears on the inverter. A red light, orange light, or warning light indicates that something is wrong with your solar panel system and you need to take action. You can also check the inverter for loud fan noise. Depending on the setup, you could check the kW produced or log in to your solar system online.
4. Check the age of the installation
If it is older than four to five years, consider scheduling a solar health check. This is particularly important given the typical Queensland weather—heat, storms, and other conditions can lead to various issues over time.
RACQ Solar offers solar health checks in the greater Brisbane region. To book or find out more, visit the solar health checks webpage.
If you are interested in a solar health check but live outside greater Brisbane, you can register your interest here.
1 - Queensland Government, 2024. Check your solar postcode. Queensland Government. Available at: https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/energy-water-home/solar/yoursolarpostcode [Accessed 18 March 2025].
2 - Survey findings from RACQ Quarterly Consumer Omnibus, FY24 Q3, n=421.
3 - Australian Energy Regulator, 2025. Default Market Offer (DMO) 2025–26 draft determination. Australian Energy Regulator. Available at: https://www.aer.gov.au/news/articles/news-releases/default-market-offer-dmo-2025-26-draft-determination [Accessed 18 March 2025].
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