Understand how to maintain solar panels after installation.

Installing solar panels in your home is a great way to save energy bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint by switching to renewable energy. The good news is that although solar panels are not cheap, they can last about 25-30 years, which means they have enough time to get a return on investment.

But to get the most value from solar panels and ensure that they are used continuously as much as possible, it is important to maintain them properly. In this guide, you will learn all about the maintenance of solar panels, including how often solar panels need to be maintained, the cost of maintaining solar panels, how to maintain solar panels, and so on.

Fortunately, solar panels require minimal maintenance to ensure that they keep working properly and produce solar energy for your home. The most common type of maintenance required for a panel is cleaning. Dirt and debris may collect on your panels, especially during storms or when there is no rain for a long time. Occasional cleaning can remove these debris and ensure that your solar panels get the best amount of sunlight.

Another type of maintenance you might want to perform on solar panels is annual inspections. During the solar panel inspection, a professional (usually your solar panel installer) will come to your home to inspect your solar panels to make sure everything is in order.

If you find that there is a problem with the solar panels or they are not generating electricity as expected, you can simply schedule any other maintenance appointments as needed.

As we mentioned, the maintenance of solar panels is quite low. There are generally three different timetables to remember:

In most cases, your solar panel system does not require much maintenance except for regular inspections and cleaning. But there are some red flags to be aware of, which may indicate that your panel needs to be maintained earlier than scheduled.

The best indicator that solar panels need to be maintained is reduced energy output. If you suddenly notice that your solar panels are not generating as much energy as usual, and your electricity bill has increased, this is a good sign that you should schedule a service appointment.

Let your home know the latest automation, security, utilities, networks, etc.

Most homeowners hire professionals to clean and inspect their solar panels every year. Given that many solar panels are located on the roof, it is safer to hire experienced professionals. The good news is that even if you hire a professional, your maintenance costs will be minimized.

According to Home Advisor, the average annual maintenance cost of a solar panel system is approximately US$450 per year: US$150 for annual inspections and US$150 each for two cleanings (total US$300). If your solar panel system is damaged, or because dust or debris collects faster, and you clean the panels more frequently, your maintenance costs may be slightly higher.

Depending on your solar panel installer, you may pay less maintenance costs. Some suppliers include a certain number of maintenance visits in the solar panels you purchase. Others may offer service plans that cover regular maintenance and cleaning.

Solar panels come with a warranty, where the manufacturer guarantees that your panels will last for a certain number of years. The warranty period is usually 10 to 20 years, but some are as long as 25 years. First of all, these warranties guarantee that your solar panels will not fall below a certain performance level. They also cover accidental damage to your solar panels due to storms and other reasons beyond your control.

However, it is important to note that your solar panel warranty may state that your panels can only be covered if they are properly maintained. For example, if you clean solar panels irregularly and the accumulated debris shortens their lifespan, your warranty may not be covered.

The price of solar panels is higher than many of your household appliances. But the good news is that they also require less maintenance and have a significantly longer lifespan. The only regular maintenance required for solar panels is cleaning and annual inspections. Otherwise, as long as your panels are working properly, they do not require additional maintenance throughout the year.