Solar panels are remarkably low-maintenance, but neglecting them can cost you 10-15% of your generation. Here's what every homeowner should know.
Monthly tasks:
- Visual inspection: Check for bird droppings, leaves, or dust buildup
- Generation monitoring: Compare actual vs expected output
- Clean panels with water and soft cloth if dusty
Quarterly tasks:
- Check all cable connections for looseness or damage
- Inspect mounting structure for rust or loosening
- Clean inverter air filters
- Review generation data for anomalies
Annual tasks:
- Professional inspection of entire system
- Tightening of all electrical connections
- Inverter health check and firmware updates
- Check earthing and lightning protection
Cleaning best practices:
- Clean early morning or late evening (panels are cool)
- Never use abrasive materials or harsh chemicals
- Use plain water with a soft sponge or cloth
- Avoid high-pressure water jets
- In dusty areas like Central India, clean every 2-3 weeks
When to call a professional:
- Sudden drop in generation (more than 20%)
- Error codes on inverter display
- Physical damage from storms or hail
- Hot spots visible on panels
- Any electrical buzzing or burning smell
SolarWale offers Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) that cover periodic cleaning, inspection, performance monitoring, and priority support. Our team monitors your system remotely and alerts you to any underperformance.