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The fix appeared to make a noticeable difference when a nor’easter moved through.
Photo Credit: Reddit
A homeowner traced a nagging solar inverter warning to a very tangible issue inside the unit: nesting material from a bird and parts that were no longer firmly secured.
After removing the debris and tightening those components, the owner said a rain-related arc-fault shutdown that had been reducing production for two years seemed to stop.
The problem surfaced in a Reddit thread, where the poster said their SMA 4301 would show an “elec. arc fault detected” warning in drizzle or wind-driven rain, then require a reset once everything had dried out.
During an inspection of the lower panel, the homeowner said they discovered a newly made bird’s nest. They then applied electrical contact cleaner and tightened several loose internal parts they described as looking like capacitors.
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The fix appeared to make a noticeable difference when a nor’easter moved through.
“It is actually generating power in the soaking rain! Not much, but it didn’t quit,” the original poster wrote.
Replies to the post stressed that repeatedly clearing the warning without investigating it can be risky.
“Not a good idea to clear the errors over and over without inspecting, the forced manual restart exists for a reason,” one commenter cautioned.
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Others noted that loose hardware inside the inverter is only one possible cause of this kind of fault.
“Arc faults on SMA’s are almost always caused by solar panels starting to fail in my experience,” they wrote.
Another commenter said a firmware update had improved nuisance detection on some older SMA units.
A repeated fault may point to a relatively simple issue such as debris or a loose connection, but it can also signal a bad termination, a failing module, or another electrical problem that requires a professional diagnosis.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
That matters because every shutdown can mean lost production and, as the original poster suggested, possibly “spending thousands” on troubleshooting that might have been narrowed down sooner.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, and shoppers can make that investment work even harder by using EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes. That can help homeowners size systems correctly and avoid overpaying before a project even begins.
Recurring faults deserve a real inspection, not endless resets. Arc-fault warnings exist to prevent more serious outcomes.
If a system repeatedly shuts down during weather events, homeowners can document the pattern, check for obvious exterior damage or nesting, and call a qualified technician if they are not fully comfortable working around electrical equipment.
For homeowners still shopping for rooftop solar, comparison tools can make a major financial difference. With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. Tools such as EnergySage’s solar map, which shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state and details solar panel incentives for each state, can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is also one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off grid. Homeowners interested in backup power and bill savings can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
These stories dig into related questions about rooftop solar maintenance, storm damage, and the troubleshooting headaches homeowners can run into. They cover common myths, repair choices, weather damage, and other issues that can come up after installation.
• A master electrician said the same solar myths keep confusing homeowners about routine maintenance.
• After a windstorm, a homeowner used a polycarbonate repair to revive a shattered 100-watt panel.
• Energy experts explained what really happens when hail slams into rooftop solar during severe storms.
• Experts warned homeowners they shouldn’t be on the hook for lease-related solar damage after disasters.
• Solar installers said an urban legend still fuels fears about panels attracting lightning.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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