Wildfires, Smoke, and Your Solar Energy System

As wildfires continue to increase in intensity and frequency across California, homeowners in San Diego and surrounding areas are asking an important question: how do wildfires and smoke affect solar energy systems?

At Your Energy Pros, we’re committed to helping you protect and optimize your investment in clean energy. From evaluating solar panel performance during smoke-filled skies to preparing your system for safety and resiliency, this blog breaks down what you need to know.

Why Wildfires Matter for Solar Owners in San Diego

California's wildfire season is getting longer and more dangerous. According to CAL FIRE, more than 7,000 wildfires burned over 300,000 acres in 2023 alone. In areas like San Diego County—where warm, dry conditions and Santa Ana winds create the perfect storm—wildfires can impact both safety and solar performance.

While most modern solar panels are designed to withstand extreme weather, smoke, ash, heat, and grid outages can all pose challenges. Understanding these impacts is key to maintaining your system’s efficiency and ensuring energy independence.

How Smoke Affects Solar Panel Performance

1. Reduced Sunlight = Reduced Energy Production

Thick wildfire smoke can block or scatter sunlight before it reaches your panels. Studies from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that solar output can drop 10%–30% on heavy smoke days.

Even on days when skies appear only slightly hazy, airborne particles from smoke—called PM2.5—can cause diffuse radiation, which reduces direct solar exposure and panel output.

2. Ash and Debris Build-Up on Panels

Ash from nearby or distant fires can settle on solar panels, reducing their ability to absorb sunlight. Even a light film of dust or soot can decrease performance by up to 15%, especially if not cleaned off in a timely manner.

Periodic solar panel cleaning*, particularly after the fire season in San Diego, helps maximize a panel’s performance. Rain alone will not remove all the accumulated sticky deposits on solar panels that result from tree sap and wildfire related resin deposits from ash.

3. Long-Term Degradation

While most high-quality panels can resist damage from environmental contaminants, prolonged exposure to heat, UV radiation, and chemical particulates in smoke can potentially shorten the lifespan of lower-quality components. That’s why vendor-neutral, high-quality product selection matters.

Are Solar Systems Safe During Wildfires?

Safety is a top priority. Understanding system behavior during emergencies is not only helpful, it can be lifesaving:

Grid-Tied Systems Without Battery Backup

Most solar systems without battery storage are grid-tied. When the grid goes down due to fire-related outages, your solar system will automatically shut off to protect utility workers.

This means that even if the sun is shining, your home may lose power unless you have battery backup.

Solar + Battery Backup with Islanding Technology

If you have a battery storage system—especially one equipped with Enphase Ensemble or similar grid-islanding capability—your solar system can continue powering your home during outages. These systems isolate from the grid automatically and safely, protecting utility workers.

This is especially critical for San Diego homeowners who rely on electricity for medical devices, food storage, assistive devices, stair lifts, air conditioning, or well pumps.

How to Prepare Your Solar System for Fire Season

1. Schedule a Mid-Year System Inspection*

Have your solar system checked by professionals before peak wildfire season. The solar system assessment should include:

Panel integrity check
Electrical component inspection
Battery performance review (if applicable)
Roof access and shading evaluation
Panel surface contamination check

2. Keep Panels Clean*

While rain can remove the accumulation of dust and lose dirt from the solar panels’ surface, it is highly recommend that you have a professional solar panel cleaning company periodically perform the cleaning for you. They can safely removal sticky contaminants on the panels’ surface. High-pressure hoses, hard bristle brushes, abrasive cleaners, and tap water should never be used as they can damage the fragile anti-reflective coatings on the panel’s surface.

3. Upgrade your solar system to include Battery Backup*

If not already part of your solar energy system, consider installing a battery system with islanding capabilities to maintain power during wildfire-related grid outages. Systems like Enphase IQ Battery or Tesla Powerwall 3 can provide seamless transitions when SDG&E cuts power for safety.

4. Create a Fire-Safe Zone Around the Home

Wherever possible, maintain 100 feet of defensible space around your property:

Trim trees and shrubs away from the home and panels
Remove dry leaves or debris near electrical equipment
Keep vegetation cleared from ground-mounted systems

Incentives for Backup Power in Fire-Prone Areas*

Thanks to California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), homeowners in high fire-threat areas may qualify for rebates of up to $1,000/kWh of installed battery capacity.

To qualify under the Equity Resiliency Budget:

Your home must be in a Tier 2 or 3 High Fire Threat District
You must meet certain income or medical baseline criteria

Our team can help determine if your San Diego property qualifies..

Planning to add solar to your home? Consider Your Energy Pros' Vendor-Neutral Advantage

Unlike solar installers tied to a single product line, Your Energy Pros is vendor-neutral and engineering-driven. We work with top-performing brands based on your specific goals, roof layout, energy needs, and local risks like wildfire exposure.

Our Proven Process:

Free Energy Audit to evaluate your entire property
Custom Solar + Storage Design based on long-term needs
Vendor comparison and unbiased recommendations
Project management from permit to activation
Post-installation support

We help San Diego residents take control of their energy—no sales pressure, no guesswork.

Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Wildfires aren’t going away, but your ability to maintain power, savings, and safety during outages can be dramatically improved with the right solar strategy.

Whether you already have solar or are exploring your first system, the key is planning. Smoke, ash, and outages don’t need to compromise your home’s comfort or your energy investment.

Get Peace of Mind Before Fire Season Hits

If you are considering adding solar, book your Free Energy Audit today to: