Why “Working” Solar Systems Are Quietly Failing in Australian Homes
Many Australian homeowners assume that if their solar system is producing power, everything must be fine. Unfortunately, that assumption is costing people thousands of dollars and in some cases creating serious safety risks.
In the first episode of a new investigative series by Your Energy Answers, we reveal how solar and battery systems often fail quietly. There are no alarms, no warnings and no obvious signs until real damage is already done.
This is the story of Jack, and it is a warning for anyone who already has solar or is thinking about installing it.
When Solar Looks Fine but Is Not
Jack checked his solar monitoring app almost every day. His electricity bills were low and the system appeared to be working as expected.
When Solar Service Guys inspected his system, they found that only half of it had been producing power for years. One entire string of panels was not working at all. The monitoring app never made this obvious.
This highlights a major issue with solar monitoring. Apps only show what is working, not what has failed.
The Real Cost of Cheap Solar
Jack chose low cost solar systems twice, believing he was saving money. Instead, inspections uncovered poor installation quality, non compliant panel placement, likely connector failures, heat damaged equipment and a system that had likely underperformed from day one.
None of these problems were visible to the homeowner, but all of them reduced performance, lifespan and safety.
Cheap solar often means shortcuts, limited after sales support and no accountability once the installer is paid.
Battery Installations Can Be Even Worse
When battery rebates became available, Jack again chose the cheapest option. The result was months of delays, incorrect installation decisions, faulty cabling, mismatched brands, confusing apps and unsafe mounting.
The battery was installed on unstable ground without a proper concrete slab and placed in full western sun, increasing overheating risk. Ventilation under the house was also improperly sealed, creating potential moisture and termite issues.
This was not just poor workmanship. It was dangerous.
Why Monitoring Apps Give a False Sense of Security
Jack used multiple apps to track his solar, battery and electricity usage. None of them told the full story. Some data was clearly incorrect, showing absurd export figures that made no sense.
Monitoring alone does not replace a physical inspection. A system can look fine on an app while failing in real life.
Why Inspections Matter
This is where Solar Service Guys play a critical role. They specialise in inspecting, diagnosing and reporting on solar and battery systems that should never have been signed off in the first place.
A proper inspection can identify hidden faults, compliance issues and safety risks before they become expensive or dangerous.
The Lesson for Homeowners
Jack eventually reached a simple conclusion. Paying more upfront would have saved him years of stress and lost performance.
Cheap systems often come with no after sales support, limited warranty help and no one willing to fix the problems later. Once a poorly installed battery is in place, many quality installers will not touch it due to liability risks.
What You Should Do Now
If you already have solar or a battery, get it professionally inspected and do not rely on monitoring apps alone.
If you are planning solar or a battery, choose quality installation, proper design and long term support over the cheapest price.
Solar is a powerful investment when done properly. But as this story shows, neglecting inspections allows quiet failures to drain value and create safety risks.
Do not neglect your system. Inspect it.
