Solar Panel Maintenance Guide

Solar panels are designed to deliver decades of clean, low-cost energy with minimal upkeep. They contain no moving parts, are built to withstand harsh weather, and are generally self-cleaning thanks to regular rainfall.

However, to ensure maximum performance and to protect your long-term investment, it’s still important to carry out occasional maintenance. This guide provides everything UK homeowners need to know, from how to clean panels safely, to performance monitoring, troubleshooting, warranty information, and signs your system may need attention.

Do Solar Panels Need Regular Maintenance?

For most homeowners, the answer is very little. Solar panels are built with durability in mind and require far less upkeep than other household systems. Their glass coating is designed to resist dirt build-up, and the angled roof positioning encourages natural rainfall cleaning.

In most cases, you only need to:

• Clean panels once or twice a year

• Monitor system output

• Check that no new shade has developed

• Ensure your inverter is working correctly

That’s usually all it takes.

Why maintenance matters:

Even though rainfall helps keep panels clean things like bird droppings, moss, and dust can still reduce sunlight absorption over time. A few minutes of care each year helps keep your system operating at peak efficiency.

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Cleaning Your Solar Panels

Over time, environmental build-up can reduce energy generation by 5–10%. Keeping panels clean ensures they capture as much sunlight as possible.

What Can Cause Build-Up?

• Bird droppings

• Traffic dust

• Tree sap and pollen

• Moss, especially on north-facing roofs

• Air pollution

Best Cleaning Practices

• Use a soft brush, microfibre cloth, or sponge

• Avoid abrasive tools such as metal brushes

• Apply lukewarm water — no harsh chemicals

• Never use pressure washers as they can damage seals

• Clean panels when cool (early morning or evening)

If your roof is steep, high, or awkward to access, it’s safer to hire a professional cleaning service.

Monitoring System Performance

Most modern solar installations include a monitoring app that provides real-time data, including:

• Daily power generation

• Exported electricity

• Overall efficiency trends

• Battery capacity (if fitted)

• Lifetime totals

Clearing skies or sudden bursts of sunlight should increase output. If performance drops without a clear weather-related reason, it may indicate:

• Dirt accumulation

• Shading

• Faulty inverter

• Loose connections

• A failing component

If you notice unusual or unexplained dips in energy production, contact your installer for diagnosis.

Watch Out for New Shade

Even partial shade can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. As landscapes change, so can sunlight access. Common causes include:

• Growing trees

• New home extensions

• Neighbouring buildings

• Newly installed chimneys, antennas, or satellite dishes

Check your roof area every few months. If shade appears, consider trimming branches, relocating equipment, or discussing options with your installer.

Inspecting Your Inverter

Your inverter is the heart of the system. It transforms DC energy generated by the panels into usable AC electricity for your home.

What to Look Out For

• Warning lights on the unit

• Error messages

• Notifications through your monitoring app

• Sudden drops in output

Most inverters have a lifespan of 10–12 years. Eventually, replacing it is normal and expected within the overall lifespan of your solar system.

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Annual Visual Checks

You don’t need specialist training to spot signs of potential issues. Once a year, visually inspect:

• Panel glass, no cracks or clouding

• Secure roof brackets and fixings

• Absence of exposed or loose wiring

• Build-up of leaves, nesting material, or debris

• No signs of corrosion on metal components

If anything appears damaged or unsafe, always consult a professional.

Professional Maintenance & Servicing

Solar systems are designed to be low-maintenance, but professional support can be helpful, especially for larger systems, older installations, or homes with difficult roof access.

Typical services include:

• Panel inspection and cleaning

• Output performance checks

• Inverter servicing

• Fault diagnosis and repairs

These aren’t mandatory, but they can help prolong component life and ensure your panels stay optimised as they age.

Understanding Solar Warranties

Solar panels typically come with two warranties:

1. Product (Manufacturer) Warranty

Protects you against manufacturing faults or defects.Typical coverage: 10–12 years.

2. Performance Warranty

Guarantees panels will still produce a specific percentage of their original output over time.

Most performance guarantees state:

• 90% generation at 10 years

• 80% generation at 25 years

This ensures panels remain efficient even as natural ageing occurs.

When Should You Replace Solar Panels?

Solar panels are engineered to last 25–30 years or more. Replacement is usually only needed if:

• Output drops beyond warranty limits

• Panels become cracked or damaged

• System technology becomes outdated

• You choose to upgrade to more efficient models

Many homeowners opt to upgrade early to benefit from higher efficiency and advanced battery storage options.

Common Issues & Quick Troubleshooting

Issue	Possible Cause	Suggested Action
Sudden drop in output	Dirt, shade, inverter issues	Clean panels, check for new shade, review monitoring data
Inverter warning light	Internal fault or wiring issue	Contact installer or manufacturer
Uneven panel production	Failed micro-inverter/optimiser	Replace faulty component
High grid usage at night	System undersized	Consider battery storage or additional panels

Solar panels are built to operate reliably for decades with minimal upkeep. By performing simple checks a few times a year, cleaning panels, tracking production, and ensuring no new shade appears, you’ll keep your system generating clean, affordable electricity at maximum efficiency.

A little attention goes a long way toward protecting your investment and maximising long-term savings.

Contact Newpower today if you need any help with maintining your solar panels.