Solar panels are generally low-maintenance, but they do require some attention. A system that has never been looked at is a system that will only reveal itself to be malfunctioning once solar generation drops or electricity bills rise.
What servicing actually covers
- A survey of each solar panel to check for damage and mounting and to see if there is performance-affecting debris.
- An inverter check, as an inverter is the most commonly troublesome component.
- A check of the health of a battery to see if its capacity is still acceptable. Monitoring battery health allows for planning of a replacement so that there is no surprise loss of generation.
- Electrical connections and safety checks.
- An assessment of performance versus expected generation for the system size and location.
How often
Most systems benefit from an annual check. Systems with more usage or larger battery systems may require more check-ups, but we will determine what is appropriate on a case-to-case basis.
If something goes wrong
While faults are rare, they are usually evidenced by a decrease in generation or by an inverter error, and for systems with monitoring, an alert will be sent. Please contact us to determine whether it is appropriate to make a service request or if the fault will be checked in the normal servicing schedule.
Residential vs commercial contracts
For residential systems, a basic annual maintenance plan is usually adequate. For commercial systems, especially those with batteries, multiple inverters, or on-site EV charge points, the maintenance plan often makes more sense. The reason for this is that downtime for commercial systems costs more than it does for residential systems.
When a battery reaches the end of its working life
Part of the service is detecting when battery performance is truly subpar and should no longer be relied upon. This is done to avoid a complete failure of the battery. Disposal and replacement of the battery are done in a safe and compliant manner. Since batteries are hazardous waste, they cannot be disposed of in a landfill. See Battery Recycling & Disposal.