Regularly check the surface of PV modules for dust, bird droppings, or obstructions, and clean them if necessary. Use an infrared thermal imaging camera to detect local overheating (hot spots). Whether you're dealing with a flickering inverter or a bent panel that looks like it survived a windstorm, recognizing these problems early can save you both time and money down the road. This guide covers the most common types of solar panel damage, what causes them, how professionals diagnose them, and what steps to take when. Hot spots on solar panels are a serious issue that can significantly impact the performance and lifespan of your solar energy system. These localized areas of extreme heat occur when one or more cells in a panel become overheated, often due to shading, soiling, or internal defects. This article will introduce common types of failures in PV systems along with their diagnosis and. You might see solar panel damage if you spot cracks, hotspots, or color changes on your system. Thermography is a safe diagnostic tool.