Your Solar Panels will Need Occasional Maintenance After They’re Installed

Installing solar panels on your home can be an excellent way to save money on your energy bill and reduce your home’s carbon footprint by switching to renewable energy. The good news is that while solar panels aren’t cheap, they can last you around 25-30 years, meaning they have plenty of time to get a return on your investment.

But to get the most value out of your solar panels and ensure they last as long as they can, it’s important that you properly maintain them. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about solar panel maintenance, including how often your solar panels need maintenance, the cost of maintaining your solar panels, how to maintain your solar panels, and more.

Pigeon Proof Your Home Solar Panels In Nevada

How to Maintain Your Solar Panels?

Luckily, solar panels require minimal maintenance to ensure they keep working properly and producing solar energy for your home. The most common type of maintenance required for your panels is cleaning. Dirt and debris can collect on your panels, especially during storms or extended periods without rainfall. Occasional cleaning can remove this debris and ensure that your solar panels get the optimal amount of sunlight.
 
The other type of maintenance you may wish to do for your solar panels is an annual inspection. During a solar panel inspection, a professional — often someone from your solar panel installer — will come to your home and take a look at your panels, just to make sure everything is working as it should.
Any other maintenance appointments can simply be scheduled as needed if and when you notice a problem with your solar panels or that they aren’t producing energy as they should.

How Often Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance?

As we mentioned, solar panel maintenance is fairly minimal. There are generally three different schedules to keep in mind:

  • Annual inspection: Once per year, hire a professional to inspect your solar panels and ensure they’re working properly.
  • Cleaning: In general, plan to have your solar panels cleaned about twice per year. You may only need one cleaning per year if you live in an area with lots of rain and where your solar panels don’t collect much dirt or debris. But if you live in an area where your solar panels don’t get much rain or collect lots of dirt or debris, plan for more cleanings.
  • Additional maintenance: If you notice a problem with your solar panels outside of your annual inspection, you can schedule a maintenance appointment as needed.