Solar Maintenance: Essential Care for Your System

Many homeowners believe solar is a "set it and forget it" solution since there are no moving parts. However, the reality is that your solar system is a high-voltage electrical setup that is exposed to weather, pests, and your roof—three factors you wouldn’t leave unchecked anywhere else. This is why preventive maintenance for solar is crucial. Here are the most common risks hiding above your head, and the importance of regular solar panel maintenance and thorough solar system inspections.

Over time, heat cycles and corrosion can loosen wiring connections in your solar system. This creates arcing, which poses a serious fire hazard. To mitigate this risk, regular solar panel maintenance and preventive maintenance for solar systems are essential. Without routine inspections, you may never see it coming until it’s too late.

Poor or deteriorating flashing around solar panel mounts can allow water to seep into your roof deck. This can lead to leaks, mold growth, drywall damage, and costly roof damage — especially if the solar system was installed after the roof without proper waterproofing. Regular solar panel maintenance and a thorough solar system inspection are essential aspects of preventive maintenance for solar to avoid these issues.

Sun exposure and weather can crack conduit, especially flexible runs, while worn-out junction boxes can fail or spark. To mitigate these risks, preventive maintenance for solar systems is essential. Regular solar panel maintenance and thorough solar system inspections can help identify issues early, reducing the risk of electrical fires.

Leaves, pine needles, and even animal nests often collect beneath panels. This trapped moisture can rot your roof and is a common cause of panel-related roof leaks. Regular solar panel maintenance and preventive maintenance for solar systems can help address these issues, while a thorough solar system inspection ensures that your roof remains in good condition.

Squirrels, rats, and other pests often chew through PV wire insulation, which can significantly impact your solar panel maintenance. This not only diminishes your system’s performance but also increases the risk of exposing live wires, leading to shorts, fires, or dangerous faults. Regular preventive maintenance for solar systems, including thorough solar system inspection, can help mitigate these issues.

Even though your inverter isn’t on the roof, it still requires attention as part of your preventive maintenance for solar. Poor airflow and dust buildup can lead to overheating, and a failing inverter can ignite—particularly in lower-quality all-in-one units. Regular solar panel maintenance and a thorough solar system inspection can help prevent these issues.

Preventive maintenance for solar systems is crucial, as ground lugs on rooftop rail systems can corrode or loosen over time. This can create stray voltage and shock hazards for anyone on the roof, highlighting the importance of regular solar panel maintenance and thorough solar system inspections.

Dirty panels don’t just hurt production; they can also lead to serious issues if not addressed through proper solar panel maintenance. Bird droppings, debris, and panel delamination can create hot spots, which warp solar cells and may even ignite the junction box on the panel’s back. Regular preventive maintenance for solar systems and thorough solar system inspections are essential to avoid these problems.

Hail, thermal expansion, or stress from improper racking can create microcracks or fractures in panels. To mitigate these weak points, implementing preventive maintenance for solar systems, including regular solar panel maintenance and thorough solar system inspections, is essential. These measures can help reduce the risks of arcing and short-circuits.

If your installer has gone out of business, no one may be checking your system for outdated or recalled components—ranging from faulty connectors to fire-prone modules. These hidden issues can go unnoticed for years, highlighting the importance of preventive maintenance for solar systems. Regular solar panel maintenance and thorough solar system inspections can help identify these problems before they escalate.

"No moving parts" might sound reassuring, but that’s no excuse to skip preventive maintenance for solar systems. These complex electrical installations, residing on your roof and exposed to the elements, require regular solar panel maintenance. Without routine solar system inspections, minor issues can escalate into thousands of dollars in repairs. Maintenance isn’t optional — it’s often overlooked until it’s too late.