A Comprehensive Guide to Domestic Photovoltaic PV Panel Maintenance: 

Maximizing Your Solar Investment:

7 Simple DIY Checks for Domestic Solar Homeowners

  1. Monitor System Performance using the Generation Meter: Knowledge is Power

Monitoring solar panels is crucial to ensure your solar system maintenance keeps the solar performance at its best. Early detection and solar troubleshooting of any faults mean that you'll experience minimal periods of reduced or zero energy production and can prevent further damage to your system.

• Every PV owner should be vigilant in checking their solar generation meter  to confirm that their system is actively contributing to solar production. This device features a red LED light that flashes with each small unit (1 Wh) of electricity production. The quicker it flashes, the more electricity is being generated. A constantly lit red light, especially when the sun is shining, indicates a fault within the system that requires attention.
• While many people check their generation meter quarterly to benefit from the feed-in tariff, it is advisable to record your generation meter reading monthly, particularly during the sunnier months from April to October. By comparing the energy generated with the same period in the previous year, you can determine if the output is consistent. A significant drop in production, or no change at all is a clear sign of a problem, indicating the need for solar panel troubleshooting.

Solar inverters, which are integral to converting the DC power from your panels into usable AC power, are often located in the loft, garage, or under the stairs and are about the size of 1-2 shoe boxes. It's important to regularly check your solar inverter for error messages to identify and resolve potential issues promptly.

• Error Code Interpretation: It's essential to become acquainted with the error codes that may be displayed on your solar inverter. For accurate solar inverter maintenance, consult the manufacturer's manual to understand the significance of these codes.
• Solar Performance Monitoring: When it comes to logging data, some inverters meticulously record historical data and errors. It's important to review this logging data regularly to identify patterns or recurring issues that could affect your solar performance monitoring efforts.
• Visual Inspection: To ensure your solar equipment remains in top condition, carry out a visual inspection to keep the inverter free from dust and debris. Adequate ventilation is also crucial for optimal performance and longevity of your solar equipment.

Inverter Online Monitoring

Online monitoring features, which are available in some inverters, simplify solar performance tracking. You can use an app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to monitor your system's output levels. The software often provides a dashboard or display for easy access to real-time electrical production data. SolarEdge inverters and systems equipped with microinverters enable you to monitor the real-time electrical production of each solar panel, which is extremely useful.

  3. Inspect for Damage

Regular inspections are a key aspect of PV panel maintenance, helping to identify potential issues before they become major problems. It's recommended to perform the following checks as part of your regular inspections:

• Visual Inspection of solar array from ground: Check for slipped modules or any physical damage on the solar panels (particularly after a storm or heavy weather). This checking of solar panels is essential to prevent further physical damage and maintain system efficiency.
• Wiring Inspection: During a wiring inspection, examine the wiring to ensure it's well supported and check for any signs of wear or damage that could necessitate solar panel repair.

  4. Check the Consumer Unit (Fuse box).

While conducting solar panel troubleshooting, if you notice that your generation meter or inverter shows no sign of power, it's prudent to check your consumer unit or fuse box to see if the fuse switch has tripped. The fuse should be clearly labelled. Sometimes, the solar installer might have installed a smaller standalone fuse box near the main consumer unit for dedicated solar circuit protection.

If the fuse has tripped, flick the switch to see if the system revives, which is a common step in solar panel repairs. Should this fail to restore functionality, you will likely require the expertise of a solar panel maintenance and repair company.

  5. Tree Trimming: Embrace the Sunshine

Overgrown trees and branches can cast shadows on your solar panels, reducing their efficiency. To optimize solar panel performance, it's important to regularly trim vegetation around your solar array to:

• Maximize Sun Exposure: Ensure panels receive ample sunlight throughout the day.
• Prevent Damage: Avoid branches falling onto panels during storms or high winds.

Bear in mind that maintaining solar panels is crucial since most are installed in series (string inverters); thus, if one panel operates at 50% output due to shading, it affects the entire string, compromising solar efficiency.

  6. Check for Pigeons

Pigeons or other birds nesting behind solar panels can be a common issue. Not only can this be a nuisance, but bird droppings and nesting materials may damage the cabling behind the panels, leading to expensive repairs. Employing solar pest control measures and bird proofing solar panels are essential steps to address this problem:

Checking for Pigeon Nests:

Visual Inspection: Carefully inspect the area around and behind the solar panels for pigeons nesting or signs of nesting materials, such as twigs, leaves, feathers, and droppings. Pigeon nests are often messy and may be visible in the gaps between the panels and the roof, which is a key solar panel maintenance tip.

Strange Sounds: Listen for any unusual sounds coming from behind the panels, such as the distinctive cooing or rustling of pigeons, which can be a part of effective solar troubleshooting.

Unusual Droppings: Keep an eye out for an increase in bird droppings on and around the solar panels. Accumulated droppings may indicate the presence of nesting birds and should be noted on your solar panel maintenance checklist.

Addressing Pigeon Nests:

If your system is functioning optimally but you're dealing with pigeons nesting under your panels, engaging a pest control company that specializes in bird proofing solar panels is essential. They can cost-effectively eradicate the nests and install a protective mesh around the array to deter the birds, as spikes are generally ineffective. For local assistance, searching for 'solar panel maintenance near me' can yield companies equipped for this task.

Finding solar pest control companies that offer solar panel servicing near me is straightforward with a quick Google search. It's advisable to opt for a service with stellar Google reviews to ensure reliable solar service.

However, if the solar system is malfunctioning, then you'll require the expertise of a solar maintenance and repair company like ours to address the issue first. It may be necessary to lift the panels and rectify any damage before installing the mesh, ensuring your solar panel service is comprehensive.

  7. Routine Cleaning: Shine Bright Like the Sun!

For optimal solar panel life expectancy, keeping your solar panels clean is crucial. Accumulations of dust, dirt, bird droppings, and other debris can obstruct sunlight absorption, impeding performance. While most panels are self-cleaning to an extent, eventually, cleaning solar panels becomes necessary, especially for those installed at a lower pitch, which tend to accumulate dirt faster than those at a steeper pitch.

Follow these tips:

Frequency: Ensure to clean solar panels whenever necessary to maintain energy generation efficiency. The ideal time for this maintenance is in the spring, just before the peak period of solar energy production.

When planning for solar panel cleaning, choose a day with moderate temperatures and overcast skies to prevent the panels from overheating, which can occur if cleaned in direct sunlight.

Method: When cleaning, it's important to use a soft brush, sponge, or a cleaning tool specifically designed for solar module cleaning. Adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines is crucial to avoid any potential damage to the panels. Refrain from using abrasive materials to prevent scratches, and if available, deionised water is the best option for the cleaning process.

Professional Maintenance of Solar Panels: Expert Touch

While some aspects of PV panel maintenance can be handled by homeowners, consider hiring a professional for the maintenance of solar panels, especially when considering solar panel maintenance costs.

In-Depth Inspections: Periodic professional assessments ensure thorough checks.

Repair Solar Panels Systems: Swiftly address complex issues with the help of experienced technicians.

By incorporating these practices into your solar panel maintenance schedule, you'll not only enhance energy output but also extend the lifespan of your investment. Remember, a well-maintained solar system, bolstered by solar panel maintenance training, is a reliable and efficient one. Happy solar harvesting!

Get in Touch with US to Discuss solar Repair or servicing

Areas of the Country we Cover:

Domestic Solar Panel Service Near Me – For single dwelling properties we cover Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex and parts of London and Kent.

Commercial Solar Panel Maintenance Near Me : For public buildings & commercial properties we cover the Most of the South East of the UK, London and most of the Midlands.