With a 25-year lifespan, and exposure to the elements on your rooftop, you might be wondering if there is anything special you can do to protect your investment and keep your solar panels functioning properly over their lifetime.
The good news is that solar panels require very little maintenance, if any at all, to keep them working properly. Much of the future maintenance headaches can be solved during the initial installation by using quality products backed by solid warranties.
Pre-installation preparedness tips
Shop local: When it comes to service and warranty, service is almost always better with a local company. By shopping for a local installer you will be working with a company that is experienced with the specific home types and weather in the area, ensuring systems are installed up to local code with the proper materials. With a local company also comes fast response times. When you go local, you are calling in for support to a local office who can dispatch a support crew immediately. Compared with a national chain where you may be subject to overseas phone calls and long wait times, leaving your valuable system offline during peak times. Public Service Solar operates its local Northeast office in Burlington, NJ, right on the border of Pennsylvania with easy access to dispatch a crew to our service areas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our local office in Naples, Florida is in the same way able to dispatch crews promptly to our customers in Collier County at a moment’s notice.
Select comprehensive warranties: With Public Service Solar, future headaches can be saved upfront by installing a Panasonic EVERVOLT home energy system. As a Panasonic Elite Installer, we can offer their AllGuard Warranty. The AllGuard Warranty covers the solar panels, the inverters, the racking and the labor costs associated with servicing them for 25-years. All backed by Panasonic, a company in operation since 1918. On top of the AllGuard Warranty, Public Service Solar offers its own Lifetime Workmanship Warranty.
Consider micro-inverters: Microcinverters are the powerhouse of the solar module. They convert the DC power produced by the solar panels into AC power ready to be used by the home. One advantage of a microinverter system over other solar inverters is the elimination of a single point of failure. Microinverters are installed directly below each individual solar panel. If one microinverter were to fail, the rest of the system would carry working eliminating long down times. And with a 25-year warranty from Enphase and the AllGuard Warranty from Panasonic, if a microinverter were to fail, it would be replaced quickly and with no cost to the homeowner.
Start with a strong roof: With solar installations lasting 25 years or longer, it is important to consider the strength of your roof to start with. Having to remove and reinstall the panels while reroofing will cost money that could be avoided by starting with a new roof. Public Service Solar is a GAF Master Elite Roofer. With capabilities of installing new roofs for solar customers as well as removing and reinstalling roofs for others without voiding roof warranties. Consider your roof first, and consider installing solar panels with a solar company that also has experience as a roofing company.
Go for a pre-sale site inspection: Many companies will require a deposit and signed installation agreement before actually inspecting the roof and the electrical service for the home. Not Public Service Solar. At Public Service Solar we offer a pre-sale site inspection free of charge and with no commitments necessary. The purpose of this survey is to not only to confirm accurate measurements in the solar design but also to inspect the structure of the roof and the roof’s suitability for a solar installation as well as confirming solar access with complete accuracy. During the site inspection, the home’s electrical infrastructure will be inspected to confirm any need for electrical upgrades. By going with a company that offers free site inspections, you are moving forward with confidence in the structure of your roof, the viability of your site, and avoiding unexpected changes and future costs.
Don’t skip wire guards: Not every solar installation is going to come with wire guards. Wire guards, also known as critter or pest guards, provide a literal line of defense for your solar panel system. Wire guards are installed around the entire perimeter of each solar array. They are fixed to the bottom of the solar panel and make contact with the roof below. They are strong, yet breathable, allow for proper airflow and convection cooling, and most importantly of all create an impenetrable barrier between the solar system and the critters of the outside world. Without wireguards, your system is left vulnerable to nesting critters and anything looking to find its way under the protection of your cozy solar panels.
Routine maintenance tips
Check your monitoring: With Public Service Solar, solar installations come with comprehensive system monitoring. System monitoring can show both the homeowner and the installer the energy production from the solar panel system down to the panel by panel level. Often monitoring can be the best indicator as to whether or not the system is functioning properly. With solar monitoring from Public Service Solar, the answer to how your system is performing is right in the palm of your hand.
Visual inspection: Put your eyes on the system from time to time to check for any obvious signs of damage especially after any extreme weather events. Solar panels from Public Service Solar are warrantied for 25-years for product, performance, and the labor required to fix them. Solar panels and their racking are engineered to withstand hurricane force winds and heavy snow loads.
Solar panel cleaning: Cleaning solar panels is not required or expected by homeowners in most areas. Many never touch their solar panels ever. If it’s possible to do so safely without the risk of a fall, cleaning solar panels can improve efficiency due to soiling within the natural environment. Cleaning solar panels can be beneficial especially in dryer, dustier climates. In the Northeast, and in Florida, the rain can be the best cleaner of the solar panels. In coastal areas, sometimes bird droppings can be a nuisance and cause the production of a solar panel to be compromised. When the solar panels can be reached safely, fill a bucket with warm water and a mild detergent. Scrub the glass gently with a soft brush or sponge to wipe away dirt, pollen, and any other contaminants.
Common solar repairs
Inverter replacements: Central inverter systems are typically warrantied for 10-15 years while their solar panels typically last 25 plus years. This short lifespan when compared with the rest of the solar array causes many homeowners a headache when an inverter fails. Sometimes, the company that installed the system is no longer in business and finding a reputable installer to do the work can be challenging. Public Service Solar is equipped to complete service calls on customers outside of our existing customer base, ensuring there are no “solar orphans” in the world. Microinverters on the other hand, are warrantied for 25-years and are designed to work throughout the lifetime of the solar installation without issues. Contact Public Service Solar today, if your system is offline and in need of repair service.
Critter damage: Solar installations without wireguards installed can be prone to critter damage. Not only can critters cut through wires and damage the solar panel installation, they can also dig into the roof to nest, creating leaks and other undesirable damage. For installations with wireguards installed there is no worry, but if you have solar without wire protection, it is advised that a couple times a year you check to see if there is anything burrowing underneath the solar installation.
Roof leaks: Contrary to what many may be worried about when it comes to installing solar, roof leaks are extremely rare with rooftop solar installations. When the roof is in good condition to start with and quality watertight flashing components are used to secure the solar racking to the roof, the seal should be watertight.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Power, Maximize Your Savings
When done right, your solar panel system should provide decades of clean, reliable energy with very little hassle. By starting with a strong installation, complete with quality equipment, trusted warranties, and the right protective add-ons — you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. Combine that with the occasional visual inspection and routine system monitoring, and you’re doing more than just protecting your investment — you’re maximizing your energy savings for years to come.
At Public Service Solar, we believe in installing solar the right way from the start and being there for you long after the install is complete. Whether you’re an existing customer or a homeowner with a system that needs servicing, our team is ready to keep your solar system working at full power.
Got questions or need a service call? Reach out today—we’re local, experienced, and always here to help.
