Solar panels require servicing and maintenance throughout their life. Without a proper maintenance service, your solar PV system can lose performance and it can result in solar panels generating less power for your home than it did before.
Without frequent PV solar panel maintenance packages, you could end up with a solar panel system that isn't saving you as much on your energy bills as it ought to be. Considering most solar panels are expected to last for 25 years, and some solar PV systems even longer, you could lose out on a lot of free electricity in that time, if you allow solar maintenance to slip.
But don't worry. At Panelit Solar in Bishop Auckland, we're a team of solar panel experts that offer a range of solar panel servicing and maintenance options to ensure your solar systems are performing as they should. So, if you have a solar photovoltaic (PV) system that requires a service or preventative maintenance, read on below to find out how we can help.
Although solar panels are relatively low maintenance because they don't have moving parts that are prone to wear and tear, they aren't easily damaged due to their durable builds, and most are self-cleaning thanks to annual rainfall in the UK, regular servicing is still required to ensure your solar panel system is in full working order.
In Bishop Auckland, it's common for solar panel servicing to be carried out on your solar photovoltaic (PV) system annually.
Annual servicing means your system's performance can be properly monitored to ensure it is producing as much energy as it should be - giving you the power supply you were promised when you bought the solar system to begin with.
An annual service could help save money, reduce reliance on energy suppliers and the National Grid for your energy needs, and ensure your equipment is working as it should, helping property owners live a greener lifestyle, use more renewable energy, and fight against climate change by reducing your carbon footprint.
Yes, getting your solar panels serviced each year really does have that big of an effect...
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Now you know the importance of solar panel services and maintenance and how often you ought to have it, there are also some signs you should look out for that your solar PV installation requires a service sooner.
To ensure your solar system is working at full capacity, the obvious place to start is by looking at its performance. If it isn't performing as it used to, then you might require a service so we can investigate your PV systems and get them back to working as they should.
But how do you know if your solar panels are performing as they should?
Well, the first thing to do is root out the MCS certificate that you received when you first had your solar panel installation. On this certificate, you'll see something known as the estimated annual generation figure - and this tells you how much energy your solar panels should be able to generate each year.
Next, check out your generation meter. Your generation meter tells you how much solar power your PV panels are converting into useful energy for your home right now. If the number is a million miles away from your estimated figure, a service is required.
You can also check your meter at the same time each day for a week or so if you can't find your certificate. If the performance is wildly different each day, it's probably time for a service.
Solar power and solar energy doesn't fluctuate massively in a short space of time. So, if you notice a spike in your electricity bills from one month to the next, then your PV panels are probably screaming out for a service.
Keep an eye on your bills each month. If they suddenly start rising and you can't account for it, it's time for a system service.
So maybe now you can see that your system is in need of a little TLC. But what actually happens when we come out to maintain solar panels on your behalf?
Well, here are just some of the things we do:
One of the first things we need to do is look at the condition of your panels. If your panels are at ground level, this is an easy enough job, but most are on roofs, so we need to get up there. Sometimes scaffolding is required, and other times it's perfectly safe to head up without any - like on a flat roof.
Whatever the case, we'll know more when you contact us and tell us more about your property.
During this visual inspection, we're looking out for a few things:
As soon as we know more, we can proceed with a plan in place for their care.
It's really important that we carry out electrical testing whilst on site, because it tells us how well your panels and wires are performing and how secure the connections are.
Any faults with the DC current tells us that there's probably a loose connection somewhere or an issue with your panels (typically dirt in most cases).
Once we know what the issue is, if there are any, we can fix it by reconnecting any loose wires or carrying out some basic maintenance and servicing (more on that below).
Solar inverters are one of the most important parts of any PV system, so making sure your inverters are in working order is vital.
Your inverter is responsible for converting the DC of solar energy to AC. Homes in the UK rely on AC energy to power our appliances, so if this isn't working correctly, your home won't be benefiting from the panels you've installed.
An AC electrical test will tell us if your inverter is performing as it should be, and if it isn't, we'll know to investigate more.
Your inverter might have an issue with the DC or AC isolator in the system, which is a quick fix, or you might require a new inverter.
Inverters have a natural lifespan, and sometimes your inverter can reach the end of its useful life before your panels do. In this case, you'll need to replace your inverter for a new one. But we'll be able to tell you more on site, and you can learn more about replacement inverters on our service page: Solar PV inverter replacement.
Sometimes basic cleaning and services are all that's required to get your panels back to their best and your systems generate the electricity you expected when you first got the installation.
Some basic tasks we carry out that often yield impressive results are:
The tasks we carry out during maintenance and servicing can be simple, but the effect it has on your system and how much energy generating it can do is invaluable.
Whilst on site, we can also fill out a report with advice for care of your system moving forward, and any potential work you might need to carry out in the future.
For example, we may find that your solar battery or inverter will need replacing in the next 12 months, but that is fine for now. Or we might provide advice about cutting back overhanging trees, placing your system in shade, or placing it at risk of damage should debris fall from them.
The point is, our report can tell you how to care for your panels best before your next servicing is required, helping you keep them in top condition all year round.
If any repairs are necessary, we won't carry this out right away, as this is a separate service. (Check out our Solar PV repairs page for more information).
Fault finding is completely free, though, so if we do find any problems with the panels you have installed, we'll simply let you know so you can decide when it's best to deal with the issue. We know money can be an issue sometimes, so we'll never carry out work without your permission first.
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Let's say you pay for maintenance and servicing of your PV panels with Panelit Solar. What will actually happen?
Well, the first step is our initial consultation, where we'll learn more about what you need. We'll collect information from you like:
Once we know more, we can book you in for a service.
At the agreed upon date and time, we'll arrive with everything we need to carry out a thorough inspection of your panels and the entire system, carrying out the work discussed above, before providing you with a full report and further advice, if applicable.
Depending on the size of your PV system installation and the ease of access to your roof, etc, our services should only take a few hours - certainly no more than a day. We may, however, have to return at a later date to carry out installation of new parts or repair work, depending on what we find during our services. This, however, will only go ahead if you agree to it, and we never carry out work we haven't already agreed to ahead of time.
Again, the number of panels and the system you have in place will affect the cost, but you can expect a full service, without additional work, to cost between £250 and £1000.
The best way to get an exact number is to call Panelit Solar today, so we can give you a free, no obligation quote upfront, and you can decide if we're the right company to carry out your PV panel servicing and maintenance work.
If you know it's time for your PV panels to undergo some servicing and maintenance work, then call the Panelit Solar Bishop Auckland team today. As a friendly team of solar panel experts, we can't wait to work with you to get your PV panels back to their best and performing as they should!
It is generally advised that you have your solar PV system serviced and maintained once a year to ensure peak performance, detect possible problems early, and extend the system's lifespan.
Neglecting routine maintenance of your solar PV system can result in lower energy output, an increased chance of system failure or damage, potential safety issues, and the voiding of the manufacturer's warranty.
You can review the system's output data through your inverter display or monitoring software on a regular basis to compare it to historical data or manufacturer's requirements to monitor the performance of your solar PV system between maintenance visits.
Install physical barriers like mesh or wire screens around the panels or underneath the mounting structure to protect your solar PV system from pests, and monitor the system on a regular basis for signs of infestation, taking necessary action if any pests are identified.
