BLOG
search

Do solar panels make noise?

Francisco CastroMay 13, 2019 12500 9

Do Solar Panels Make Noise?

“PNeal” has a problem with his solar power installation.

“I had my solar system installed about 2 months ago and almost immediately started hearings noises from the roof. Asphalt tile roof, plywood underneath, wood trusses. The noises sound like something is adjusting to heat variations, contractions/expansions. I am in south Florida, so the roof can get quite hot during the day. Noises do not appear to be related to wind. These noises sound like popping or creaking. They sound like wood on wood,” he wrote on an online forum dedicated to the solar industry.

”I brought this up with the installation company and they said that they have never heard of such a thing. They did make an effort to check the install to make sure the brackets were attached to the trusses and not just the plywood. They also spend a good amount of time talking the problem over with me. However, the noises have never ceased, and they can be quite loud. The company has since stopped making an effort for me,” he added.

”Has anyone experienced this? If so, is there anything to be done?,” he asked.

Peace and quiet

First off, solar panels are not supposed to make any noise as they absorb sunshine and convert it to power. Apart from fighting air pollution with their clean energy, they’re also fighting noise pollution with their quietness.

Once placed on mounting racking, the panels don’t move and don’t contain any moving parts unless you order a PV array with a tracker that follows the sun throughout the daytime. Even then, however, the noise is barely noticeable.

But depending on how they were installed, airways can be created underneath the solar panels, or between the solar panels and the shape of your roof. This may cause wind noise. 
Just so you know, the solar panels are not directly attached to the roof itself, but to racking that is attached to the roof. This allows for air to flow under the modules and keep them cool.

Also, because the wind can pull and grab at solar panels, you may hear the creaking of your roof from time to time, as the mounting equipment to hold the modules penetrates your actual roof. But this should be infrequent (if ever) and should not make a lot of noise.

On some occasions, they are sometimes reported to “hum” during the day when the energy is converted, but this noise is nearly impossible to hear at a distance of fifty feet away. And the humming noise disappears completely at night when panels don’t produce electricity, so there is never a disturbance in the evening or while neighbors are sleeping.

Could it be the inverter?

The only noise that solar power systems often emit comes from the inverter.

In a string inverter, all the panels are connected to a central unit that converts the Direct Current (DC) electricity into Alternating Current (AC) - which is what appliances use. The machines can produce a soft hum depending on the quality of the inverter. But it’s a soft noise that you won’t be able to discern unless you’re near them.
A typical residential string inverter puts out a maximum of 45 decibels (dB) of noise. Compared that to the 60 db of a normal conversation; soft whisper is 30dB. Your inverter should have a label detailing amount of noise (if any), the equipment will produce.

To minimize noise from an inverter, their best location is an enclosed garage. 

If what you're using is a microinverter that is attached to each individual solar panel, you should not hear any noise.

If your residential solar panel installation starts to make noise, the best course of action is to contact the installer who did the original work, so he can check for any loose mounting racking or connections that could be developing the noise.

Another issue behind the noise could be the actual roofing of the house. While the racking might be solid to the roofing, the roofing could be shaky. 

Something else to pay attention to is whether there’s any diminishing output or change in electricity production when the noise is perceptible, as this could give an indication of what could be causing the noise.

Maybe the solar array is not sized correctly to the needs of the household and the panels are pushing themselves to the max.

To find out the correct size of a solar power system for your home and what it will cost, you can input your home address and monthly electricity bill in the Hahasmart price checker. In just a few seconds, you’ll get a detailed quote that shows how much you can expect to save on your energy bill throughout the life of the solar power system. The price checker will even help you contact a reliable solar installer in your area. 

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area

Solar system price checker

Comments (9)

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    I mentioned this to the installers, they have come back and "tried" to see if they can find the issue but they insist it is not the solar system. I called my electric company O&R to check the smart meter as well just in case. To no avail, I am going nuts with the noise daily since I work from home. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I apologize for the lengthy post. Not sure what to do.

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    Since the changes above I started getting the noise around the house I thought at first it may be my computer, so I shut them down, nope wasn't that my wife also hears it as well.

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    When I look at my system via the app I have two Envoys. With that said I also called Enphase and they had adjusted the AC threshold. This was from them --->>> "I'm seeing multiple AC Voltage Out of Range events affecting the system. The current AC threshold is 211.2v – 264v so I've expanded the trip threshold to be 204v – 271.2v AC (the maximum)."

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    Installers then came back in mid October and replaced all the 10 gauge wire with 2 gauge wire which was Enphase recommendation, the installers then also added a second IQ Envoy at the array outside. I hope I haven't lost you yet.... So then split up the Production to come from the outside Envoy from the Array and the Consumption from the Envoy in the garage.

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    More Infor: I have 60 LG360N1C-N5 panels, 60 Enphase Energy Inc IQ7Plus-72-x-ACM-US [240], System was installed in July, soon after just about every full blown sunny days the microinverters would go in error between 5 to 20 at a time. Went back and fourth with the installers. The solar system is a ground mount about 200' away from the house. Originally installed with 10 gauge wire from solar array to garage to the Envoy Systems (IQ Combiner series) for Production and Consumption.

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    I first thought it was my computer but it was not. I have had the installers come in and check the system out but of course they can not find what the problem might be and actually are telling me it is not the solar system. Though it started right after the new wire was installed. I have turn off the power to the house the main and even the solar system but I still hear the noise. Any recommendation? Anything I can try, I feel hopeless.

  • Noel V • December 9, 2021 0 0

    Frequency Noise - My Solar System was installed back in July but since then the inverters would go into error almost daily usually between 5 and 19, in October the installers had to come back and and rewired from 10 gauge to 2 gauge wire due to the distance of the solar array from the house. After doing so I have a frequency noise in my home, 24 hours a day. It's a constant noise I hear 24 hours a day. I first thought it was my computer but it was not. I have had the installers come in and che

  • Jb • November 9, 2021 0 1

    This noise is exactly what is happening at my house. And, no one in the company has ever heard of anything like this ever happening.

  • Gj • November 3, 2021 0 2

    Just read your article as I was doing a search regarding solar panels making loud banging noises. We had our panels installed two months ago and they bang and crash. From what I'm gathering it's when the temperature changes in the early am and after sun sets but even during the day when sun is hot. Did you ever figure out why your panels did this? We had the company come back out and they say they've never had this problem before. They adjusted the brackets but still doing it. Now they are losing interest in rectifying the problem. The noise is loud, makes the dogs bark and I jump sounds like someone is stomping on the roof, it's that bad. 40K for solar this shouldn't be happening. So frustrated.

Design Your Solar Home

START

12 3

Input your address to see if it is solar friendly and how much you can save with solar.

Great. Your address is perfect for solar. Solar incentive is still available. Select monthly utility cost and calculate the size of solar system you will need now.

Whoa ! Going solar is definitely a smart decision.

kw System size years Payback period Lifetime savings

No money down, 100% finance is available.

Check the price of solar panels in your area in a matter of seconds!

Do not show this information again.