Why winter output is lower
This is normal and does not mean your system is faulty. In winter the electricity bill can look different from summer, because the output drops and the heating and geyser load changes.
- The days are shorter, so the panels get fewer hours of useful light.
- The sun is lower in the sky, so its light is weaker, and shadows from walls and tanks become longer.
- Fog, haze and smog block part of the light on many days.
How to use what you get
- Run washing machines, irons and water pumps in the middle of the day when the panels give the most.
- Heavy loads like an electric geyser or heater can be more than a small system can carry. Check your inverter's capacity before adding them.
- If you have batteries, don't expect them to carry a heavy evening load on a cloudy day. Plan which appliances matter most.
Check before winter
- Clean the panels, because dust matters more when the sun is already weak. Use a trained cleaner if the roof is not safe.
- Look for new shade from walls, trees or tanks built since last winter.
- If the inverter shows an error, don't open it. Note the code and call a technician.