Solar Market Insight Report – SEIA
Experts in solar energy are watching a record year for installations. For homeowners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, though, the real question is simpler. Why is your system making less power when nothing looks broken?
That question matters right now. National growth looks great on paper, but older rooftop systems can still slip. I’ve seen this a hundred times.
According to solar market data from SEIA, the U.S. solar industry installed 11.4 GWdc in Q2 2026, up 45% from the same quarter a year earlier. That tells you the market is moving fast. It does not mean every installed system is producing the way it should.
Your array can stay on and still underperform. One weak optimizer, one inverter fault, or one dirty section can chip away at output for weeks. Most homeowners don’t find out until the bill shows up.
Why A System Can Look Normal And Still Be Underperforming
Most owners look for total failure. That’s not how many solar problems start. Nine times out of ten, it’s a slow drop.
Summer can hide that drop. Longer days and strong sun can cover up a weak string or a failing device. The system still makes power, so people assume it’s fine.
On a home array, even a modest dip adds up fast during peak season. On a commercial roof, the losses can sit there for months. That’s why some owners start with experts in solar energy reviews before a full outage ever happens.
The Most Common Reasons Summer Production Slips
Here’s what’s really going on. Most summer production loss starts small. Then it sticks around.
1. Failed Or Degraded Optimizers
One optimizer can fail without killing the full array. That module or section drops off, while the rest keeps running. If your app only shows total output, you may never catch it.
2. Inverter Faults That Do Not Shut The System Down Completely
Some inverter issues reduce output without causing a full stop. You might have lost tracking, reduced conversion, or short fault events during prime sun hours. A lit screen doesn’t prove healthy production.
3. Dirt, Pollen, And Organic Buildup
In NJ and PA, pollen can coat glass hard in spring and early summer. Add grime, bird mess, or low rainfall, and production can slide. The panels still work, just not at full strength.
4. Shading Changes
Trees grow. Roof equipment shifts the shade pattern. Nearby work can change the light path more than people think.
5. Aging Components And Connection Issues
Loose wiring, worn connectors, and small ground faults show up more as systems age. I’ve been on enough rooftops to know this stuff rarely fails all at once. It builds slowly.
6. Monitoring Gaps
A basic app view can fool you. It may show generation, but not expected generation. The best experts in solar energy look at what the system should be doing for that site, that weather, and that season.
Why 2026 Is The Year To Compare Against Prior Summer Baselines
Summer is the best time to check system health. Your array should be doing some of its strongest work now. If it isn’t, pay attention.
Look at this summer against prior summers. Compare June to June, and July to July, when you can. That gives you a cleaner picture than a random month-to-month check.
If your numbers were solid in earlier years and now trail under similar conditions, something changed. Weather matters, sure, but guesswork won’t help. Even the top 10 solar companies in USA don’t know your roof the way a local service team should.
What A Professional System Evaluation Should Look For
A real evaluation goes past checking if the inverter is on. Let me break it down for you. The job is part data review and part field inspection.
- Historical production against prior seasonal baselines
- Expected output tied to weather and irradiance
- Inverter logs, alerts, and communication history
- Optimizer or module-level performance where available
- String voltage and current irregularities
- Soiling, pollen, nesting, or other obstructions
- Shading changes from trees or structures
- Visible wear on wiring, disconnects, and rooftop parts
Commercial sites need one more layer. Building load can hide solar loss for a while. That’s where things get interesting.
I had a property manager in Newark call after months of weak output. Nothing looked wrong from the ground. Up close, one section had connector corrosion and a monitoring gap, so the site kept losing production without a clear alarm. For broader service insight, some owners compare local teams to the Top solar companies in USA before they book an inspection.
Residential And Commercial Owners Face The Same Hidden Risk
The system size changes. The failure pattern usually doesn’t. Most problems build quietly through missed alerts and skipped inspections.
A homeowner may lose offset from one weak section. A commercial owner may lose more power overall, yet notice it less. Bigger buildings can hide a lot.
That’s why system age matters so much. Many arrays installed in earlier growth years now need closer review. People often look at rankings like Solar Power World Top Contractors 2026, but rankings won’t tell you why one string on your roof is lagging.
Why Local Service Matters More Than National Headlines
National growth is good news. It won’t fix your underperforming system. Listen, I’m gonna be straight with you.
If your inverter is faulting, your panels are dirty, or your wiring has drifted out of spec, the answer is not in a market chart. The answer is a proper diagnosis on your property. That’s it.
Some owners start with broad searches like List of solar companies in USA. Others look up Biggest residential solar companies in usa for context. Those searches can help you get the lay of the land, but they won’t tell you what your array produced last summer versus this one.
What This Means For Owners In NJ And PA Right Now
If your system is a few years old, check this summer’s output now. Don’t rely on looks alone. Don’t wait for a bigger drop.
Solar should be judged by performance, not by the fact that the inverter still lights up. That’s the part most people skip. Then they lose a full season.
At Positive Energy Solutions, we work on systems like this every week. Since 2009, our team has helped service more than 3,000 residential and commercial systems across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. When people get distracted by search terms like Solar Energy Consultant salary, I remind them the real test is simple. Can the team inspect, diagnose, and catch problems before they drag on for months?
Schedule A Solar Performance Evaluation
If your system seems off, don’t assume it’s fine. Compare current output to prior summer baselines, then have it checked by people who do this work every day. Positive Energy Solutions uses NABCEP-certified professionals with 15-plus years of field experience to find the issue before it gets worse.
Most solar failures do not happen overnight. They build through ignored alerts, skipped inspections, and deferred maintenance. Positive Energy Solutions catches those problems early.
FAQ
What is the most reputable solar company?
The most reputable solar company is not always the biggest name. Look for service response, real field experience, solid diagnostics, and support after the install. In NJ and PA, that means a team that can inspect, troubleshoot, and keep the system performing over time.
Is solar energy a good career?
Yes, it can be. The industry keeps growing across installs, service, monitoring, and operations. As more systems age, the need for skilled techs grows too.
Which solar battery lasts the longest?
Battery life depends on chemistry, heat, usage, and depth of discharge. In many cases, lithium iron phosphate stands out for long cycle life and strong thermal stability. Still, the right fit depends on your system and backup goals.
Who is the best energy supplier for solar panels?
There is no one best supplier for every owner. Utility rules, rates, and site goals all shape that answer. For most people, the better question is whether the system is offsetting usage the way it should.
Get a Fast Quote
If your array is slipping, now’s the time to find out why. Reach out to Positive Energy Solutions and get a clear, honest review of what your system is doing and what it needs next.