How to maintain your home solar system properly

At Sunrun™, we strive to make solar energy accessible to everyone. Regardless of whether you lease or purchase, your solar system still needs proper care. Maintaining the health of your solar panels will guarantee you the biggest energy savings possible over the next 25 to 30 years.

How long do solar panels last?

A solar panel has a lifespan of approximately 25–30 years.¹ It often comes with a warranty to match. It will produce at least 80% of its rated power after two decades of use.² 

They’re incredibly reliable! And although solar panel systems require little regular maintenance, some solar providers offer comprehensive maintenance packages for the life of their products to ensure they efficiently continue generating clean, affordable, and reliable energy for years to come

Solar panels become less efficient as they age, resulting in lower power production over time. After 10 years, a solar panel may produce 95% of the power it once did. When you hit the technical end of your solar panel’s lifespan, it may still be able to produce electricity for another 20 years, just less of it than it did before. Of course, by that time, solar panels will be much better, and you may want to replace them.

Some solar providers will let you lease or buy a solar panel system. When they do, they may offer a solar panel maintenance agreement where the technicians will routinely inspect your panels. They do this at designated times throughout the year and might even clean them for you. 

Most owners will forget about this type of plan once their systems are up. They’ll simply enjoy the electric bill savings. They also contribute to helping the environment stay clear of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Sunrun offers several maintenance plans.

In case your home solar panels don’t come with a maintenance plan, we’ll walk you through some essential steps you can take to keep them running smoothly.

Solar panel maintenance guide

Solar panels require minimal maintenance, making the job easier. Most solar panel owners purchase or receive a maintenance agreement when they buy their panels. 

These next sections will detail the types of things done as part of solar panel maintenance. 

How to tell if your solar panels need maintenance

Most of the time, maintaining solar panels is easy. You don’t have to do much other than a quick rinse and an annual inspection (see below). Your best maintenance indicator is if they stop putting out as much power as they did before. If this happens, schedule a service appointment with your solar panel installer or whomever you have a maintenance contract with. 

The best way to clean your solar panels

Remember, solar panels need the sun to work. The more sunlight that hits your panels, the more power they’ll produce. Unfortunately, their position of being angled towards the sun allows more dirt, pollen, leaves, bird droppings, and dust to collect on top of them. 

Even a small amount of grime has the capacity to reduce solar panel energy production. That’s why it’s essential to conduct periodic maintenance checks & visual inspections of your system.

Visual Inspection

It is good to do a visual inspection every other month and after storms or other events that may damage your solar panels. Look at your solar panels. Is there any debris sitting on them? Is there any dirt on them? If so, then it is time to clean the solar panels.

 Is anything cracked? Are solar panels discolored? Is anything broken? If so, then it is time to call whoever does the maintenance on your solar panels and schedule a visit. 

Solar Panel Maintenance Checks

Do you live in a rainy climate? In many scenarios, rain will wash off the debris your solar panels collect, especially when installed at a steeper tilt. Yet, if your solar panels happen to gather an unusually thick coating of filth, you can easily rinse them with plain water. 

The same is true if you live in a sandy area where sand can easily cover your outdoor items. Just direct your hose spray up to your solar panels and shower them off. This will imitate the cleansing action of natural rainfall.³

Some larger items may fall onto your solar panels. If a blast with the hose or a leaf blower cannot move them, someone will have to remove them by hand. If this involves climbing up on the roof, be certain to take safety precautions.

If your power output has fallen dramatically, even after spraying the solar panels down with a hose, they may need to be cleaned with a squeegee and possibly a cleaning compound. Ask your installer before doing any of that because improper cleaning may void your warranty. Cleaning compounds can streak and possibly damage your solar panel system.

Is your roof getting too comfy with a snow blanket? Most of the time, the snow will melt in around a day or two due to the sun’s rays and the heat your home produces. Besides ice build-up, you shouldn’t worry about your solar panels working during the cold weather.

You can also use lukewarm water, a long-handled squeegee, or a soft-bristled broom to remove snow. Never use hot water to clear snow off your solar panels. The temperature differences may cause the solar panels to crack. 

Yearly Inspection

For an annual inspection, a trained professional should come and look over your solar panels. They will inspect the electric parts and ensure each panel runs at peak efficiency. They will make certain every component is connected and working properly. This will help maintain your solar panels. 

Most solar panel owners either buy a yearly maintenance plan at a flat rate or pre-pay for a certain number of maintenance visits. On average, your system will undergo three annual maintenance visits: two cleanings and a yearly inspection. The number of visits may be higher if you live in a location where dust or film collects quickly onto your panels.  

Damage from storms or heat may be under your system’s warranty. Check with the warranty provider before calling in someone for repairs. At Sunrun, we can advise you on both your warranty and maintenance agreement. We’ll also guide you forward in terms of solar repairs.

Solar Maintenance Safety Tips

If using a hose spray at ground level doesn’t wash off the grime on your solar panels or the snow doesn’t melt away, contact us. At Sunrun, we can’t stress enough how your safety is our #1 concern, and we advise against further attempts to clean your solar panels without the proper training and equipment. So please, contact your trusted solar provider to receive professional assistance.

Rooftop solar panels come with their own challenges. Only climb up on the roof if you are trained to work up there. Any solar panel cleaning you cannot do from the ground should be left to the professionals. Ground installations are both easier and safer to clean.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to facilitating the widespread adoption of safe, reliable and cost-effective solar energy.⁵ One of the reasons it founded the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) organization, with one of its objectives being to maintain quality control and safety standards on PV installations. Click here to learn more about their report: “PV System Operations and Maintenance Fundamentals.”⁶

How much does solar power maintenance cost?

Solar panel maintenance costs can vary greatly depending on each solar provider because system installations are often tailored to the unique energy needs of each homeowner.

Sunrun’s BrightSave MonthlyTM and BrightSave PrepaidTM plans include two decades of worry-free professional maintenance and monitoring. However, if you’re looking to purchase your own solar system, our BrightBuyTM or BrightAdvantageTM plans also have your back by letting you receive equipment warranties directly from top manufacturers in the industry.

And if you have more questions about which maintenance routine your future solar system will need, our team of advisors is ready to discuss your energy needs and help you find the ideal solar solution for your home. Start with a complimentary solar quote today!