Do Solar Panels Make Noise?
Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They offer a clean and renewable source of energy that can help reduce carbon emissions and save money on energy bills. However, there are still some misconceptions surrounding solar panels, one of which is that they make noise.
In reality, solar panels themselves do not make any noise. They are completely silent and have no moving parts. This means that they won’t generate any sounds that could be perceived as noise. However, there are some factors related to solar panel installations that may generate noise.
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Components of the solar PV system like a solar inverter, or a step-up generator, for the case of the solar production field, can cause electrical or real noise. Regarding the intensity of the noise, it’ll vary by the quality/brand of the system you have and how well it’s installed.
So, when do solar panels make noise? Which other components of the PV system make noise? Is there a solution for the noise? I’ll answer these questions in detail in this guide, so stick around.
What is noise in solar PV systems?
Noise in PV systems is an unwanted and troublesome sound produced by the system’s components. The noise can either be electromagnetic or real noise such as a hum, vibration, or buzz.
Noise from PV systems will only be produced when the components are working. This means that solar panels system will not produce noise at night unless there’s an extra cause such as wind.
Noise from PV systems is gauged using decibel ratings.
What is a decibel rating?
Decibel rating (dB), also known as noise rating, is a measure of the noise or sound pressure from a given source. For our case, the source is the solar panels or any other component in the system expected to produce noise.
The decibel ratings of solar panels system are usually indicated on the specs sheet, so you’ll know what to expect. Sometimes these figures are not distinct and may differ with sound level meter readings if a real test is done.
Generally, only the solar inverter will have a dB rating, and it’ll not be more than 45dB. We’ll discuss more on this in the inverter’s section.
To help you understand the kind of noise you should expect from a PV system, here are some dB rating and their sound pressure equivalence:
30dB- Whisper
60dB- Normal conversion
70dB- A running motorcycle running
120dB- Very close sirens
According to the Center for Disease Control:
- Noise between 0-60dB doesn’t cause hearing damage
- Prolonged noise of 70dB and above can damage hearing.
- Noise above 120dB could lead to instant hearing impairment.
With this knowledge and considering the 45dB rating as the maximum rating of PV systems, we can conclude that noise from solar panels is insignificant and generally safe.
When do solar panels make noise?
Solar panels are generally noise-free because:
- They don’t have moving parts
- They don’t do any complex energy conversion
However, this is only true if the solar panels are installed properly. So, if your installer did a poor installation for your solar panels, you should expect the following types of noise:
| Type of Noise | Cause | Solution |
| Banging and popping noise | Contraction and expansion | If the solar panels are installed in a close array, break them apart to allow for thermal changes |
| Creaking noise | Wind grabbing loose panels | Ensure your solar panels are properly fixed |
| Rattling noise | Poorly screwed racking | Have everything properly screwed |
| Shaking and blowing noise | Intense wind | Secure the solar panels properly and install rubber pads between them and the roof |
| Hitting noise | Loose cabling | Have all the cables properly fixed without leaving any hanging sections |
| Birds and animals falling or running noise | Slanted solar panels Attracting structures such as a TV antenna | Install solar panels flat against the roof if possible. Avoid installing a TV antenna near your solar panels |
Do solar panels make noise at night?
As we’ve seen above, no aspect of the functionality of solar panels leads to noise. So, solar panels will stay noise-free during the day when they’re harnessing sunlight as well as at night when there’s no sunlight.
However, there’s an exemption:
Subject to how your solar panels are installed, the intense wind at night may cause noise if it flows in some tunnel or space created by the panels. I’ve heard people describe this type of noise as that of running water on the roof.
If the wind is so intense, it can pull and grab at loose solar panels causing creaking noise.
How to prevent noise from solar panels?
Generally, most solar panel noise problems will result from shoddy workmanship, but in some cases, they’ll just happen.
Solar panels degrade over time, and they’ll, of course, develop some of these problems if they’re not properly monitored.
All in all, always hire a qualified and experienced solar technician if you want your solar panels and any other components of your solar PV system to be installed properly.
You can find more details about the benefits of working with a solar contractor here.
As highlighted in the table above, you can adopt the following additional strategies to keep your solar panels noise-free:
- Install rubber pads between the roof and solar panels. This reduces the free space issue, thus eliminating the wind and animals noise.
- Make a bird-scarer and install it strategically near your solar panels to scare the birds off. More tips on how to protect your solar panels from birds can be found in this post.
- Ensure that the racking is properly screwed and that no cable is left hanging at all times.
- Trim branches of trees growing where the solar panels are installed to avoid rubbing noise.
Is the size of solar panels related to the noise they make?
No, and Yes, and there’re reasons for each side of the answer.
Why No?
Properly installed solar panels, regardless of their size, don’t themselves produce noise. By proper installation, I mean even leveraging the strategies we’ve just discussed in the above section.
Why Yes?
Large solar panels, if poorly installed, create large free spaces that can be perfect hiding places for birds and animals. You already know what birds and roof-dwelling animals are capable of. In the same spirit, if the panels will be connected to a large inverter, it’ll definitely produce more noise when converting the relatively higher current.
The solar inverter is usually the source of noise
Inverters are always the culprit for most solar PV systems problems and especially noise pollution. The inverter can cause both real noise and electrical noise.
Let’s start with the most common form of noise from a solar inverter?
1. Humming noise from the solar inverter
The high-speed switching the inverter does to convert DC to AC causes EMI in addition to a humming noise. Note that is the noise that people mistakenly refer to as ‘solar panels noise.’
The solar inverter will do most of the DC-AC conversion during the day, so if there’s a humming noise, it’ll be at its peak during the day, especially when the sun is overhead. According to an AALTO University study, noise from an inverter rises when power increases.
You may hear a buzzing sound in the morning when the inverter kicks off its conversion work.
2. Electrical noise from the solar inverter
The role of the inverters is to convert Direct Current to Alternating Current so that it can be fed to the grid. Very high switches are needed for this change in the direction of electric flow to occur.
Electromagnetic noise is produced in the process. This noise from a solar inverter can interfere with signals reception around that area.
3. Fan noise from the solar inverter
The fan is crucial for an inverter as it helps expel excess heat. If your inverter generates so much heat (this will occur when power is at its peak), the fan may produce a vibrating sound as it tries to expel the excess heat.
Before we discuss how to combat inverter noise, it is worth mentioning that inverters are of two main types:
- String inverters,
- Micro inverters.
You may come across central inverters, but these are just the larger version of string inverters.
String inverters are connected to a ‘string’ of solar panels (multiple panels), while Micro inverters are connected to a single panel.
The loudest sound a typical string inverter can produce is 45dB (note that this is just slightly above a whisper sound, and it should not be a challenge). Impressively, micro-inverters produce no noise.
If you want to learn more about the main types of solar inverters, here’s a nice Micro inverters Vs. Central inverters comparison post.
How to reduce the noise from your inverter?
When it comes to dealing with the inverter’s noise, you only have two options:
1. Have it inspected for defects
If there’re structural or functional defects in your inverter, your solar technician should work on them. Usually, these will solve most of the noise problems from the inverter.
2. Move the inverter to another location
If nothing seems to work after the inverter is completely tuned, you should consider shifting the location of the inverter. A garage is a perfect place to move your inverter to.
Insider tip: A perfectly shielded inverter with a strategically placed fan will have no major noise concerns. Always make a sound decision when purchasing your PV system components.
Is the roof the source of the noise?
As much as you believe that the solar panels are the real problem, you should not make a conclusive decision before confirming that the roof is also okay.
There’re so many types of noise that can originate from your roofing:
- There may be creaking sounds when new construction materials start drying out
- Popping sound when thermal expansion and contraction occurs due to temperature changes
- Loose roof shingles can cause similar noise problems as loose solar panels
- Roof leaks can cause trickle or other strange noises from your roof
Contact a roofing expert to check if everything in your roofing is intact and in good shape. With this, you can now go ahead and determine if the solar panels are the real problem.
Do solar farms make noise?
Like in a household solar PV set up, a solar farm can produce electromagnetic and real noise. The solar panels have no contribution in this, but the following 2 components:
1. Solar inverters
Solar inverters in the solar farm will cause electrical noise as they convert DC to AC (refer to the inverter’s section above).
2. Step-up transformer
Solar production facilities need to step up the voltage of the power produced with a step transformer so that it can be easily transmitted through the grid. Some components in a step-up transformer, such as the core and coil, can produce electromagnetic noise. Additionally, the fan may cause a vibrating sound when expelling heat from the system.
Despite the possibility of noise pollution from solar farms, there’s no need to worry, and here’s why:
Firstly, before any solar panel farm is developed on public land, a certain permitting process must be followed.
In the process, environmental impact assessments are done to understand the characteristic of the actual site. If some level of noise pollution is expected, the resulting impact will have to be evaluated before a permit to start the project is issued.
Secondly, most solar farms are set up far from where people live, so even if the field were to produce high-pitched noise, it would not be a real issue.
Lastly, according to research done by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the whole US could be powered by utility solar from farms only occupying 0.6% of the total landmass.
So even if this was fully leveraged, most of this nation’s area would still be free from solar farms problems.
Do you live near a solar farm that you feel has impacted your life negatively? Here’s some advice for you.
Conclusion
Solar panels installed for household needs will themselves cause no significant or audible noise. With proper installation, even solar panels, farms with hundreds of solar panels and massive inverters can still be noise-free.
So, whatever solar panel setup you’re dealing with, it shouldn’t cause disturbing noise.
If you’re experiencing noise from your solar panels, you should have them checked by a reputable solar contractor as soon as possible. Customarily, the problem will be solved with a little tuning, and if otherwise, you’ll get advice on the steps to take next.