KEY POINTS
- Solar panels require frequent servicing to prevent dirt buildup, weather and animal-related damage, or to remove obstructions impacting their energy generation.
- Depending on the size of your solar system, solar panel servicing can cost between $150 – $400.
- A lack of frequent maintenance can result in permanent damage to your solar system, which could cost far more to replace or repair.
Aussies are hopping on the solar power bandwagon and having panels installed on their roofs. However, solar panels require regular servicing and maintenance to keep them in prime condition.
This Canstar Blue guide can help you identify when you should get your panels assessed, who’s qualified for the job, how much it could cost you and what you could risk by putting it off.
On this page:
- Do solar panels need maintenance?
- What maintenance is required for solar panels?
- How often do solar panels need maintenance?
- What could happen if I don’t maintain my solar panels correctly?
- How much does a solar panel service cost?
- Who can service my solar panels?
- Should I get my solar panels serviced?
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Do solar panels need maintenance?
Solar panels require regular maintenance over their lifespan. Regular solar panel maintenance helps keep the panels in top condition so they can generate energy to their fullest potential.
Over time, their natural surroundings can have a negative impact on the performance and longevity of your solar panels:
- Surface debris: dust, leaves, animal droppings, tough stains and other debris can gather on the panels, create hot spots and reduce their solar efficiency.
- Water: water that fails to drain completely can damage your solar system if it makes its way into its internal system, potentially causing corrosion, delamination, discoloration or leaving snail trails.
- Obstructions: over time, surrounding vegetation may grow uncontrollably, obstructing the amount of sunlight reaching your solar panels (note: removing them may require council approval).
- Animals: wildlife such as birds and possums can inadvertently scratch or crack the surface of your panels, reducing their energy-generating capacity.
- Weather damage: depending on your region’s climate, inclement weather can cause hail or wind damage to your rooftop solar panels.
Like all forms of technology, different components may experience wear and tear over a solar system’s lifespan. As parts deteriorate over time, your solar system may require an upgrade to restore it to its former self. Proper maintenance can slow its degradation.
You can ask your installer for recommendations on what to watch out for and how regularly to check or protect your panels and other parts of your system, such as a solar monitoring system.
What maintenance is required for solar panels?
Solar panel maintenance requires a licensed solar professional to come and assess that everything is working as intended.
- During solar maintenance (commonly referred to as a service), a licensed solar professional will check that the solar panels are clean, secure and free from any defects.
- They’ll also check that nothing has deteriorated or corroded since the installation and conduct electrical checks to ensure all components (e.g. isolater switches, wiring) and emergency procedures are operating properly.
- If there are any issues, such as faulty solar inverters, poor installation or damaged solar panels, these can also be identified, rectified and replaced accordingly during the service.
- They will also check that no water has traveled into the internals of your panels and inverter.
- The servicer will typically remove any major debris during the maintenance check, but a more in-depth panel cleaning may require an additional fee.
If you have angled panels with a minimum slant of 10 degrees, cleaning is not really necessary unless you live in a particularly dry area, an area with a high level of pollutants or have a problem with animals/tall vegetation.
Generally, the rain does an adequate job of keeping angled solar panels clean: however, if you are concerned, you can either have them professionally cleaned or clean them yourself. This is especially important if your panels are installed on a flat roof.
Please note that it is not recommended that you go up onto the roof to clean solar panels, especially not without proper training and safety equipment.
If you are determined to clean your solar panels yourself, make sure to take the appropriate precautions and turn off your system first. Be sure to check what the manufacturer recommends and follow their guidelines.
Solar Plans & Prices
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
How often do solar panels need maintenance?
Solar panel maintenance and servicing should take place about once every five years, but it is always best to check what your manufacturer recommends.
If anything causes concerns about the performance of your solar panels, have a professional assess the fault. Depending on your solar system’s warranty or home insurance coverage, this may be free.
Here are some warning signs that your panels require a one-off inspection:
- a significant reduction in your system’s solar generation
- an alert from the monitoring software or solar inverter
- An energy bill with a lower solar feed-in tariff bill credit
- a large build-up of grime or debris
- you suspect an animal may be damaging your system (for example, a possum or bird)
- Hazardous weather such as a hailstorm
What could happen if I don’t maintain my solar panels correctly?
If not maintained correctly, there are risks of decreased performance or even solar panel fires. With proper installation, solar panel fires are rare.
Nonetheless, it is still a risk that can be reduced by having a professional check that your solar panels are functioning correctly.
Essentially, maintaining your solar panels correctly ensures that you’re getting the most out of your solar panel system. Otherwise, you may be missing out on valuable energy production and potential energy bill savings.
To make matters worse, a prolonged lack of maintenance by a licensed professional will not only accelerate the decline of your solar panels’ efficiency, but its lifespan — replacing malfunctioning solar panels or components is far more expensive than hosting frequent inspections.
You might also be interested in:
How much does a solar panel service cost?
← Mobile/tablet users, scroll sideways to view full table →
| 6.6kW | 50kW | 99kW | 500kW | |
| Basic Inspection | $250 | $650 | $850 | $1,100 |
| Detailed Inspection (inclusive of electrical testing) | $400 | $1,000 | $1,350 | $2,900 |
Credit: Solar Choice, July 2023
Typically, a standard solar panel service can cost from $150-400 for a 6.6kW system, according to figures from Solar Choice.
Additional costs may occur if repairs are required though. Most solar panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years, which means that in this time they’ll need five to six services – if done every five years, solar panel maintenance could cost you about $2,000 over the lifetime of your system.
Who can service my solar panels?
It is recommended to have a professional, such as a licensed electrician or a Clean Energy Council-accredited solar panel system installer, conduct the service.
This can either be the company that installed the system or an independent company.
It is best to shop around and get quotes from a few reputable businesses before committing to a service.
Should I get my solar panels serviced?
Absolutely. If you’ve had your solar panels for over five years or you notice that something is not quite right, it’s best to have a professional check your system before your panels experience irreparable harm
Servicing your solar panel system means you’ll get better value out of your panels, as they’ll be operating properly, and you’ll be maintaining safety standards. Getting a service is a great way to ensure everything is running as designed.
If you don’t yet have solar panels but are interested in getting them, check out our guide to solar installations. In this guide we cover how solar power works in Australia, money saving opportunities, costs and more.
Learn more about solar power systems
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image credits: YimJi WK/Shutterstock.com
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