Several Areas to Check When Power Generation Suddenly Drops

Several Areas to Check When Power Generation Suddenly Drops

When you notice that your home wind power system's power generation is significantly lower than usual for the same period, there's no need to immediately panic or assume a serious equipment malfunction. Often, the problem stems from external factors or simple faults that can be checked yourself. By checking the following aspects in order from outside to inside, and from easy to difficult, you can often quickly pinpoint the problem or narrow down the troubleshooting scope.

I. Prioritize Checking the External Environment and Mechanical Parts

This is the most common and easiest area to check yourself.

Check the environment around the wind turbine:

Are there any new obstructions? Carefully observe whether there are any new obstacles in the upwind direction (the direction from which the wind comes) of the wind turbine, such as rapidly growing trees, newly built sheds, or temporarily stacked materials. These obstacles can disrupt airflow, causing the wind turbine to be in a "wind shadow," which is a common reason for decreased power generation.

Blade condition (observe from a distance under safe conditions): Use binoculars or, on a clear, windless day, carefully observe the three blades. Check for any obvious bending, cracks, large amounts of bird droppings, dirt, or foreign objects (such as tangled plastic bags) attached to the surface. Anything that damages the blade's shape or increases its weight will seriously affect its wind capture efficiency.

Listen to and feel the operating status:

Listen to the sound: While the wind turbine is running, carefully listen for any new, abnormal sounds, such as friction sounds, irregular knocking sounds, or periodic scraping sounds. This may be a sign of wear or loosening of mechanical parts (such as bearings).

Observe the rotation: Observe whether the wind turbine rotates smoothly in the wind, without any obvious shaking or "jerky" movements. Abnormal vibrations are a sign of decreased efficiency and potential damage.

II. Check Electrical Connections and Sensors

Under safe conditions (start with the simplest checks), perform the following inspections.

Check visible cables and connectors:

Along the cable route from the tower base to the controller/battery room, visually inspect the cable sheath for signs of animal gnawing, aging cracks, or cuts from sharp objects.

Check that all outdoor junction boxes, plugs, and sockets are secure, dry, and free from water ingress or signs of scorching or discoloration. Loose connections can generate significant resistance, wasting electrical energy.

Verify the anemometer and wind vane:

These two small devices are the "eyes" of the controller, telling it the wind speed and direction. If they are covered or obstructed by bird nests, leaves, or ice and snow, or if the connecting wires are loose, they will send incorrect wind speed signals to the controller, leading to misjudgment and affecting power generation efficiency or causing the system to enter protection mode prematurely.

III. Check Controller Data and Settings

The controller is the "brain" of the system, and its data is the most telling.

Analyze operating data:

Check historical wind speed records: Compare the recent average wind speed recorded by the controller with your subjective observations and data from the same period in previous years. If the controller shows very low wind speed, but you feel the wind is strong, the anemometer may be malfunctioning.

Check charging status: Observe whether the charging current or power displayed by the controller is significantly lower than usual when the wind is strong. Also, pay attention to whether the battery voltage is abnormal – if the battery quickly shows "fully charged" but then quickly discharges, it is very likely that the battery pack is aging or damaged, with severely reduced capacity, unable to effectively store electricity. This will directly lead to the illusion of "decreased power generation" (in reality, the electricity cannot be stored).

Check alarm logs:

Enter the controller menu and check for historical fault code records. For example, frequent "overspeed protection" alarms may mean that the wind turbine frequently shuts down due to strong winds; "system voltage abnormal" may indicate battery or wiring problems.

IV. Suggested Systematic Self-Inspection Steps

First, consider the weather: First, confirm whether there has been an unusually calm period recently. Compare with weather records from previous years to rule out seasonal natural fluctuations.

From outside to inside: Start by checking for physical changes such as environmental obstructions and blade appearance, then check cables and sensors, and finally check the controller data.

Safety first: All inspections should be carried out in windless or light wind conditions. For electrical parts, do not disassemble them yourself if you are unfamiliar with them; it is best to have a professional handle it.

In summary, when faced with a sudden drop in power generation, a clear self-troubleshooting path is: 1. Check for new environmental obstructions, 2. Check for dirty or damaged blades, 3. Listen for unusual noises or vibrations during operation, 4. Check if cables and connectors are intact, and 5. Check if the controller data is abnormal. By following these five steps, you have a high probability of identifying the problem or providing crucial clues to a professional repair technician. Even if you can't solve the problem yourself, an accurate description will significantly reduce troubleshooting time.