Once installed, peak performance and safe operation of your PV system will be aided by good maintenance practices. System monitoring and maintenance starts upon the completion of your system installation. At that time, there may be an inspection by the county or local permitting office and/or the utility to ensure safe operation and code-compliant installation.  Regardless, your installer should provide you with a written commissioning report indicating that all system components are operational and online. The commissioning report should also include all system documentation and warranties. If you own the system, then you are responsible for maintaining it, although you may contract with a third party for maintenance. If a third party owns the system, then they will be primarily responsible for maintaining it, though you may have some specific responsibilities spelled out in your contract. But even if someone else owns the photovoltaic system and is responsible for maintenance, it remains in your interest to keep an eye on the system and ensure that it’s not damaged, excessively dirty, or otherwise not functioning properly.

System Maintenance

The primary maintenance task is usually inspecting the components of your solar PV system. Periodically check your system for any visible physical damage to panels, wiring, and other external components. Rodents or birds can sometimes invade areas where wiring is located. Also, examine the surrounding area to ensure that there is no new shading of panels from tree growth or debris. Hail and debris from wind storms can result in impacts to panels and in rare events can cause cracks or fractures. These must be repaired quickly to prevent electrical damage and to ensure continued output from the array. Your installer should handle all equipment warranty claims, and often homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of damage done by a storm that isn’t covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Normally you must inform your homeowner’s insurance company of the solar system installation in order for it to be covered under your policy. Additional maintenance will be needed for systems that include battery storage.

Cleaning

Panels can accumulate dust, dirt, pollen and other particulates, especially during dry periods without rain. Although the impact of soiling is usually minimal, periodic cleaning may be required to prevent reduced output. Dirt buildup can lower output by five percent or more.  In Cyprus regular precipitation that effectively cleans panels, most solar homeowners do not worry about washing their panels. In winter, snow soiling and buildup can result in a major reduction in output. If solar panels are safely accessible, some homeowners will brush off accumulated snow after a large storm. Most manufacturers recommend that you consider the following factors in deciding if and when to clean the surface of your panels.

Residential central inverter Utility meter

1. Panel tilt—The angle of your panels affects how dirty they get. The more vertical the panels, the more effectively rain will remove dirt and debris. More flat-mounted panels can form puddles at the lower edge that, when dried, leave an accumulation of dirt that can impact output.
2. Rain—Depending on how much rain you get and at what time, rain can be an effective cleaning event for panels.
3. Wind and pollen—The amount of wind-blown dust and pollen in your area can affect how often your panels need to be cleaned. Consider scheduling your cleaning following the times of year with the most dust and pollen.

If the solar panels are safely accessible, many homeowners take on the task of cleaning the solar panels by themselves on an infrequent, as-needed basis.

If you monitor system performance regularly, you can detect any reduction in performance. Low output can result from several factors:

1. Natural degradation: Panel cells and surfaces degrade over time. Industry standards usually assume an output drop of 0.5 percent per year. Most warranties protect from degradation greater than this amount.
2. Dirt buildup: Reduced output could be the result of increased dirt on panels. If you have not cleaned the panels in some time, inspect the panels to see if the surfaces need cleaning.
3. Snow: Snow buildup can shade panels. Output during the winter is lower than in the spring and summer and it may not be worth the effort to clean panels of snow. If you choose to clear snow, use care for your safety and the protection of your array.
4. Shading: A small amount of shading on some panels can impact output. Plants and other obstructions can appear over time and must be managed if you want to preserve electricity output.
5. Damage to cells/panels: Although it is rare, panels and cells can sometimes become damaged. This damage can be hard to spot. A qualified technician may be necessary to diagnose such impacts and assist with any warranty claims or repairs.

Usually, installers offer a period of maintenance and inspection following an installation. If possible, follow the technicians during one of these visits and learn what they are looking for and how they check system performance. Many installers and solar companies can continue to provide maintenance for you, for a fee, beyond any initial free maintenance period.

System Safety

It is critical to ensure that all equipment is correctly installed and that all components meet the requirements of the electric code and the utility. If system safety measures aren’t followed, you, or repair workers that you hire, may be seriously injured on your property. Equally important, back-feeding power into the grid could seriously harm utility workers working on lines to restore power after a power outage.

It is good practice to have a central inverter installed in an accessible and protected location. Micro-inverters are usually installed on individual panels and protected by the panel itself. Solar systems include electrical wiring, and electrical wiring of any kind has the potential to start fires, especially if the wiring is not properly installed. Make sure your selected installer is qualified. If you suspect there is an electrical problem in the system, don’t try to fix it yourself unless you’re a qualified electrician. Proper grounding of the system is essential as it protects you and your property. A qualified installer or an electrician should provide you with documentation that the system is properly grounded. A ground fault should trigger the system to shut down and alert you with an error message. Repair of such situations requires professional assistance to ensure your safety. Again, the inverter will provide error codes that will help in such situations. If your system includes batteries for storage, additional consideration must be taken.

Insurance

If you own your home and have homeowner’s insurance, you should notify your insurer of the solar installation. This ensures that if there is any damage to the photovoltaic system or related to the system, you can file an insurance claim. The insurance company will inform you whether your system is protected with existing coverage or advise you if a separate rider is necessary. Check that your particular installation (roof, ground or pole) is eligible for coverage. Find out what your coverage limits are, what events are covered (fire, hail, etc.), and what coverage includes (repair or replacement). Since there are many policies and companies with different requirements and limitations, it is good to check with your agent or insurance company to get answers before you decide to install a system. If your system is owned by a third party, the third party may be responsible for insuring it. It is prudent to ask this question while getting initial bids for the system and to also follow-up with your homeowner’s insurance representative.

Warranties

Most installers offer warranties for installation and workmanship. A generally accepted installation warranty lasts at least five years. The installation warranty may require the system to be maintained by the original installer.

If you own a solar PV system and are selling it as part of a home sale, check to make sure you complete any of the required change-of-ownership forms for your system so that the warranty properly transfers to the new homeowners. These are generally easy to find on manufacturers’ websites.

Most major components come with their own warranties. Be sure you understand each component’s warranty terms. Although installers should provide you with a copy of your warranties, almost all manufacturers include warranty information on their websites. Remember that warranties are only as good as the companies backing them. If a manufacturer goes out of business, its warranty coverage may cease to exist. Below are the warranties that should be provided with your photovoltaic system:

Panels

Solar PV panel manufacturers may provide workmanship warranties of up to 10 years or more. Such warranties cover defects in manufacturing and materials. Panels also include output (often called performance) guarantees. Currently, these warranties stretch from 20 to 25 or even 30 years, and protect against significant declines in output. Most companies will ensure at least an 80 percent output up to the end of the warranty period, and some may guarantee a higher output. (You may want to take these differences into account when deciding which panels are best for you.) Making a claim for a drop in output will usually require an inspection by a qualified solar professional or electrician. The qualified solar professional will inspect the panels for electrical output and thermal images to detect “hotpots” that can indicate an electrical failure. Panel warranties usually cover the wiring that comes with the panels.

Inverters

Inverters also have warranties. Most inverters have a standard warranty period of at least 10 years, but longer warranties are often available for purchase at an extra cost. In most cases, you may purchase additional warranty coverage directly through the inverter manufacturer. Inverters are the most complicated component in the solar PV system, so an inverter warranty can be an important part of protecting your investment. Failures of central inverters are easily remedied by swapping out units. Failure of roof-mounted micro-inverters can also be expensive because of the labor involved in removing and replacing individual panels.

Racking and Mounts

Racking and mounting companies provide warranties to cover defects in workmanship and materials. The warranties are generally from 5 to 25 years. If the installation is completed incorrectly, fixing it should be the responsibility of the installer, not the racking manufacturer.

Meters

Your primary electric meter belongs to the utility, and the utility is responsible for maintaining it. Depending on your own goals and financing mechanisms, additional meters may be needed to track the output of your system precisely. Additional metering beyond the utility-installed meter is the system owner’s responsibility.