--- title: "A simple solar panel maintenance checklist" description: "Monthly, yearly, and five-year checks that keep a solar system producing, plus the signs that need a technician." url: "https://ecozen-astro.pages.dev/blog/solar-maintenance-checklist/" date: "2026-09-09" author: "Clara Morel" --- # A simple solar panel maintenance checklist > Monthly, yearly, and five-year checks that keep a solar system producing, plus the signs that need a technician. ## Low maintenance, not no maintenance Solar panels have no moving parts, which is why they last 25 years or more. Even so, a few simple checks catch small problems before they cost you energy. Most of them take a few minutes and never require you to climb onto the roof. A word on safety first: don't walk on panels or open electrical enclosures. Anything that involves the roof, wiring, or the inverter's internals is a job for a qualified technician. ## Every month: check your monitoring Your monitoring app is the best maintenance tool you have. Once a month, compare this month's production with the same month last year. - A drop of a few percent is normal and depends on the weather - A sudden drop of 10 percent or more is worth investigating - A day with zero production almost always means a fault or a tripped switch If your system has panel-level monitoring, look for a single panel that produces noticeably less than its neighbours. That usually points to shade, dirt, or a faulty connector. ## Every season: look from the ground Walk around the house and look at the panels from the ground or a window. 1. **Dirt and debris:** leaves, bird droppings, and dust in dry areas 2. **Shade:** trees and hedges grow; a branch that was clear last year may shade panels now 3. **Animals:** nesting birds under panels can damage cables 4. **Visible damage:** cracked glass, loose panels, or hanging cables Rain cleans most panels well enough. In dusty areas, or on shallow roofs where dirt collects at the lower edge, a professional clean once a year can recover a few percent of output. ## Every year: a quick inverter check The inverter is usually mounted in a garage, loft, or utility room. Once a year: - Check that status lights show normal operation - Make sure ventilation openings are clear of dust and stored items - Note any error codes in the display or app - Listen for unusual buzzing or clicking ## Every five years: a professional inspection A technician checks what you can't see safely from the ground. A typical inspection covers: | Check | What it finds | | ---------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | Mounting and fixings | Loose clamps or corroded rails | | Cables and connectors | Wear, rodent damage, or loose plugs | | Roof penetrations | Leaks around brackets | | Electrical tests | Insulation faults and earthing problems | | Thermal imaging | Hot spots in individual cells | | Inverter and isolators | Firmware updates and switch function | ## Signs you should call a technician now - The inverter shows a red light or a persistent error code - Production has dropped sharply for several sunny days - You see scorch marks, melted plastic, or smell burning near any equipment - A panel is visibly cracked or has moved - Water is coming through the ceiling under the array ## Cleaning: do it safely or not at all If you clean panels yourself, do it from the ground with a soft brush on an extension pole and plain water. Avoid pressure washers, detergents, and abrasive pads, which can damage the anti-reflective coating and void the warranty. Clean early in the morning or in the evening, when the glass is cool. ## Keep a simple log Write down the date, what you checked, and any readings. A log makes warranty claims easier and helps a technician spot patterns. Most monitoring apps can export yearly production, which is worth saving alongside your notes. A few minutes each month keeps your system close to the output it was designed for, year after year.