Most things in our homes go months without us thinking about them. Until they break, of course. In the case of your boiler or your fridge, those performances and inevitable failures are relatively easy to notice and subsequently fix. Unlike your boiler, your solar panels sit way up there on the roof, out of sight, and often out of mind.
Yet, just like all your other appliances, solar panels need some occasional TLC. Certainly not every month, and probably not even every season. However, they do need just enough to keep them efficient, safe and worth your initial investment.
Here at Electrical Innovations (Derby) Ltd, we install and maintain solar systems across Derby and the broader East Midlands region. We’ve put together this list to help you keep up to date with the things you need to keep an eye on.
Keep your panels clean, but don’t overdo it
In the UK, the rain does most of the cleaning for you. But rainwater alone won’t shift thick dust, bird droppings, leaves or pollutant build-up, especially if your panels are angled at a low pitch. Dirty panels generate less electricity because the sunlight can’t reach as much of the surface area.
We recommend checking your solar panels visually at least twice a year, once in late spring, after pollen season and before peak summer sun, and again in late autumn, after falling leaves and before winter storms.
If you live in a particularly dusty area or you’re surrounded by trees (and birds), you may need to check more often. When you do these checks, look out for the following:
- Bird droppings
- Leaves or moss accumulating
- Discolouration or clouding
- Obvious damage from branches, hail, or debris
You don’t need to climb up onto the roof. That’s dangerous, and there’s no need. If possible, use binoculars from a nearby vantage point, such as a hill or a neighbour’s home. You can even use a drone if one is available.
If your panels need cleaning, use soft brushes, non-abrasive cloths and, if possible, deionised or purified water. These are by far your best options. If you have a window cleaner, why not ask them if they can also clean your panels? They often already have the equipment and might be willing.
Never use high-pressure jet washes or harsh chemicals, as these can cause more damage than they solve. They could even be dangerous.
Pro tip: Don’t clean them too often. Overcleaning increases wear and adds unnecessary risk. Once or twice a year is usually more than enough, unless you live near a farm, construction site or near the sea.
A little panel degradation is expected
Even with optimal care, solar panels experience a slight decline in performance over time. This is entirely normal and absolutely nothing to worry about. Most panels degrade at a rate of around 0.5% to 1% per year, which means a panel that starts out at 100% efficiency may be generating closer to 85% or 90% after 15 to 20 years.
This degradation occurs gradually and is typically caused by exposure to sunlight, temperature fluctuations and natural wear on the materials. Again, this is what solar panels are designed to do. There’s nothing anyone can do to stop it.
Some panels also experience small efficiency losses early on. These are known as light-induced degradation (LID). Other long-term risks include microcracks in the cells, delamination, junction box corrosion and potential-induced degradation (PID).
Thankfully, modern solar panels are tested to high standards and often come with performance warranties of 25 years or more. Still, it’s worth reviewing your generation data annually to spot any downward trends beyond what’s expected.
Know what your inverter is trying to tell you
The inverter is the heart of your solar system. It converts the electricity from your solar panels into a form that your home can actually use (DC into AC). If it fails completely, everything stops, even if the panels themselves are in perfect working condition.
The good news is that inverters give clear signs when something’s wrong. The first thing you’ll probably notice is that the panels generate less electricity than they usually should. When you check out your inverter, you’ll see either an error code, a flashing LED or that the screen has gone completely blank. Something’s off. Here’s what to check:
- Display screen: Look for error messages or faults
- Status lights: Green means working, red or flashing lights mean a fault
- Noise: An unusually loud hum or complete silence could indicate a problem
After approximately 10 to 15 years, inverters begin to lose their efficiency. That’s slightly less than the panels, which you’d expect to last at least 25 years. So if your system’s approaching that age and your generation numbers are dropping, it may be time to replace it.
Some newer systems offer remote diagnostics through an app or web portal. If your inverter has that, keep an eye on the performance trends. Drops in output without a clear reason could point to an internal issue.
Don’t forget your battery (if you’ve got one)
Solar storage batteries are brilliant additions to any solar PV system. However, like any rechargeable unit, its performance can decrease over time.
Lithium-ion batteries gradually degrade over time. Every time they charge up and discharge, they lose a tiny percentage of their capacity. You won’t notice it overnight, but year on year, they’ll store slightly less. Most come with an expected degradation curve, typically around 70% or 80% of the original capacity after 10 or 15 years.
You can extend the life of your battery life by:
- Ensuring proper ventilation around the unit
- Keeping the room housing the battery at room temperature
- Checking for firmware updates from the manufacturer
- Avoiding full discharges (if your system allows it)
Most modern battery inverters come with app monitoring. If you’ve got one, keep an eye out for unusual drops in performance or cycle count errors. It’s also worth logging data once a quarter to track long-term changes.
Stay in control with remote monitoring
Most modern systems include remote monitoring as standard. So, if you’ve had your solar panels installed recently, you probably have this feature available. Check out your user manual or get in touch with your installer if you’re unsure how to download the apps or get started.
If your solar panel system lacks remote monitoring options, it may be time to consider upgrading your inverter or battery. You don’t usually need to upgrade your solar panels at this stage, unless you’ve noticed a significant performance decline.
Remote monitoring systems are a fantastic way to stay on top of your solar panel system. They make it far easier to track real-time generation and use and see how the performance changes across the seasons. They’re also invaluable for spotting any output drops before they develop into something bigger and more expensive.
Oh, and they’re also great for sharing performance data with your installer or maintenance professional. This goes a long way in speeding up troubleshooting, warranty claims and otherwise keeping everything running smoothly.
Once you’re up and running with remote monitoring, we often recommend customers set up monthly email alerts or mobile app notifications. These serve as an early warning if something changes. A sudden drop in generation during a sunny week usually means it’s definitely time for a closer look or time to call out an expert.
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Seasonal checks to keep things running smoothly
A quick check a few times a year goes a long way in avoiding unexpected problems.
Spring
- Check for pollen and dust on panels
- Review generation levels as daylight hours increase
- Test battery charge cycles (if installed)
- Inspect panel fixings for signs of winter wear (loose mounts, cracked tiles etc)
- Look for bird nesting activity near panels or under roof edges
Summer
- Watch for overheating issues with inverters or batteries
- Check monitoring data weekly during high production months
- Schedule cleaning if visible debris is present
- Ensure battery ventilation isn’t blocked (especially if located indoors or in a loft)
- Trim back fast-growing plants or trees causing new shading
Autumn
- Clear leaves and check for moss on or near panels
- Inspect cables for rodent damage
- Make sure gutters are clear near solar cabling
- Check for water ingress in the inverter housing or cable junctions
- Review daylight curve changes in your monitoring app to confirm expected seasonal drop
- Schedule a maintenance visit before winter if the system hasn’t been checked in over a year
Winter
- Monitor snow load (yes, that’s rare for us here, but possible)
- Check battery performance in low temperatures
- Review generation reports for anomalies
- Test any backup or off-grid functionality (if your system has it)
- Check the inverter and battery displays for error codes after storms or power cuts
- Ensure panel surfaces aren’t shaded by low winter sun angles and nearby obstructions
When to call a professional
While many basic maintenance tasks (like checking for visible debris or reviewing monitoring data) can be done by the homeowner, you need to know where the line is.
Electrical components and roof-mounted hardware come with specific manufacturer guidelines and safety regulations. We don’t recommend performing DIY electrical work on your solar system because you could void the warranty or breach compliance. More worrying, it could be dangerous.
To stay on the safe side, book a professional inspection every few years. A qualified solar technician can run in-depth tests on your inverter, battery, cabling and panel strings, checking things like insulation resistance, voltage drops and thermal performance. These checks help you spot problems early and preserve your product warranties.
Passive vs proactive maintenance - which is best?
Your approach to maintaining anything (including solar panels) comes down to one of two options. Passive or proactive.
Passive means waiting for problems to appear, and not doing any maintenance work or servicing. For some, this approach works, especially if your system has strong remote monitoring features and you’re confident in your ability to respond quickly.
Proactive means checking the system on a regular basis, even when everything appears to be working correctly. This might include:
- Annual inspections by a qualified installer
- Periodic cleaning based on your environment
- Logging inverter and battery performance data
In our experience as solar panel installers, proactive systems stay closer to peak efficiency. They also avoid costly surprises. Catching a failing inverter early, for instance, saves downtime and potentially hundreds of pounds in lost generation, as well as the callout fees and other associated repair costs.
Get your new solar panels from Electrical Innovations
Solar systems work hard, no matter the weather. They save you money and reduce your carbon footprint, allowing you more financial freedom while doing your bit for the environment. A tiny bit of maintenance helps it continue to do that for decades.
If it’s been a while since someone looked at your system, it might be time for something new. We go above and beyond to provide the best solar service in the East Midlands. We’re committed to the highest standards, and with a little ongoing maintenance, we’re sure our solar installations will help power your home for decades to come.
To book a solar maintenance visit or ask a quick question, get in touch with Electrical Innovations. We’re here to help you get the most from every ray of sunlight.
