How Do I Know if Arlo Solar Panel Is Working | 5 Signs and Troubleshooting

Arlo solar panels are subject to wear and tear and will eventually need to be replaced. You don’t have to witness physical damage or faults to realize that your solar panels aren’t working. You may sometimes tell by their energy output and performance. They may simply fail at times.

Inverters of Arlo solar panels include status LEDs that show how the system is doing. A green light shows that everything is fine, an orange light indicates that a potential issue has been spotted, and a flashing red light indicates that there is a problem with the system. 

In this article, we’ll know elaborately how we can determine if Arlo solar panel is working or not. 

How to Check if Your Arlo Solar Panel Is Working or Not

Arlo solar panels come with a 20-year warranty. They can work smoothly for up to 25 years with proper maintenance. Following are some signs that tell you that your Arlo solar panel isn’t working anymore.

1. Decreased Efficiency

Arlo solar panel output is likely to fall by 0.5% per year. This is known as the deterioration rate. This indicates that after 20 years of service, the module will still be providing roughly 90% of the electricity it did in the first year. Anything less suggests that your system is failing.

2. Presence of Degraded Parts

Check your solar panel regularly to search for any degraded parts. If you find water or dust inside your Arlo solar panel, it won’t be working properly. Usually, rainwater can get inside the solar panel causing it to not work properly anymore.

3. Aging Due to Expiry

Arlo solar panels have a service life of 20 to 30 years. They begin to deteriorate beyond this point, and their production is dramatically reduced. If the electrical output of your 20-year-old solar panel is significantly less than its claimed specifications, it is most certainly time to replace it.

4. Discoloring Due to Corrosion

If you notice burnt or discolored surfaces, contact a solar panel professional as soon as possible. This indicates a corroded panel lamination, which can cause a reduction in energy production. Corrosion is typically identified by yellow to dark brown discoloration at the edge of white metal conductor strips. 

5. Microfracture broken glass

Cracks or minor cracks caused by extreme temperature changes, hailstorms, or collisions might be indicators of degradation. Check your solar panel in a regular basis for cracks. The fracture can limit the energy production of your solar panel by at least 2.5 percent.

How Do You Troubleshoot Issues With Your Arlo Solar Panel

If you find any of the above issues with your solar panel, it’s time to fix it. To troubleshoot the above problems with your Arlo solar panel follow the instructions below:

1. To determine the charging status, look at the solar icons in the Arlo Secure App. If you see no icon at all, the batter isn’t charging. Ensure proper charging to extend your solar panel’s lifetime.
2. A damaged wire in the camera of the solar panel can cause it to not work at all. So, fix any damaged wires as soon as possible.
3. Make sure to install the battery before complaining about any problems with the camera.
4. You need to monitor how much battery power is being used by the camera of the solar panel. So, if the battery is low, Arlo solar panel can charge it even with minimal sunlight.
5. Check the outdoor air temperature and make sure your Arlo camera is not being operated at temperatures below 32°F (0° C) or above 113°F (45° C). Make sure to keep the temperature within this range.
6. Ensure that your Arlo solar panel is always clean.

What Should I Do if the Led Indicator on the Arlo Solar Panel Is Not Lighting Up or Blinking?

Blue slowly blinking () indicates that the camera is attempting to connect to an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, as well as your Wi-Fi network. If the blue light blinks quickly ( ), it means that the camera has been linked to an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, as well as your Wi-Fi network.

Conclusion

The battery of your Arlo solar panel will not charge if it is too cold or too hot. Unplug your camera’s Arlo Solar Panel cable. Examine the Arlo Solar Panel cable to ensure there are no exposed or damaged wires and that your Arlo solar panel is working fully.