Solar panels don’t need a lot of attention, but they’re not totally “set it and forget it” either. A little maintenance, basic monitoring, and understanding your warranties can protect your investment and keep your system producing strong for decades. This guide walks you through what actually matters, what you can do yourself, and when to call a pro.
Key takeaways
- Routine cleaning is minimal for most homes – In many areas, rain does most of the work. Manual cleaning is usually only needed once or twice a year, or if you see visible buildup like dust, pollen, bird droppings, or ash.
- Performance monitoring is more important than washing – Watching your system’s output over time (through an app, inverter screen, or utility bill) is the best way to catch problems early.
- Most systems have multiple warranties – Panels, inverters, and workmanship are often covered separately, with different terms and lengths. Know what’s covered before paying out of pocket.
- Safety comes first with roofs and electricity – Anything involving roof access, electrical components, or wiring should be left to licensed professionals.
- Annual or biannual checkups are a good idea – A pro can inspect wiring, mounting hardware, and overall performance, and often spot issues you’d never see from the ground.
- Ignoring issues can cost you in lost production – A single underperforming string or inverter problem can quietly reduce your energy savings for months or years if you’re not paying attention.
- Keep records and photos – Documenting your system, cleanings, and any issues makes warranty claims and service calls faster and smoother.
Typical costs / fees
Actual costs vary by region and system size, but these ballparks can help you plan:
-
Professional panel cleaning
- Roughly $150–$400 per visit for a typical residential system
- May be priced:
- Per visit (flat fee)
- Per panel
- By system size (kW)
- Costs go up if:
- Roof is steep or hard to access
- There are multiple roof levels
- Panels are heavily soiled or require special cleaning
- Costs go down if:
- Easy, single-story access
- You’re on a regular service schedule
-
Annual maintenance / inspection
- Roughly $150–$500 for a checkup that may include:
- Visual inspection of panels, wiring, and mounting
- Inverter and production check
- Basic electrical testing
- Some installers offer maintenance plans with:
- Annual inspection
- Priority service
- Discounts on repairs
- Roughly $150–$500 for a checkup that may include:
-
Minor repairs
- Inverter troubleshooting or minor fixes: around $150–$400 for a service visit, plus parts
- Replacing a small component (like a failed optimizer or microinverter): often $200–$600 including labor, depending on access and warranty coverage
-
Major repairs / replacements
- Inverter replacement (if not under warranty): often $1,500–$4,000+ depending on size and type
- Panel replacement: panel cost plus labor; if under warranty, you may only pay labor or shipping
What drives costs up or down:
- System size and complexity – More panels, multiple roof faces, or complex wiring = more time.
- Roof height and pitch – Two-story homes or steep roofs often need extra safety measures.
- Location and access – Difficult access, obstructions, or fragile roofing materials add labor.
- Warranty status – If parts are covered, you may only pay for labor and service calls.
- Local labor rates – Costs can vary significantly by region and demand.
What to expect (process overview)
1. Understand your system and warranties
Before you do anything:
- Gather your documents
- Installation contract
- Panel and inverter spec sheets
- Warranty paperwork
- Monitoring app login or inverter manual
- Note key details
- System size (kW)
- Panel brand/model
- Inverter type (string, microinverter, optimizer-based)
- Installation date
Watch-out: Many warranties require proper maintenance and no unauthorized modifications. DIY electrical work or damage from improper cleaning can void coverage.
2. Set up and check your monitoring
Most modern systems have some way to track performance:
-
Common monitoring options
- Mobile or web app from your inverter or system provider
- Display on the inverter itself
- Utility bill comparisons (before/after solar)
-
What to look at monthly
- Daily or monthly kWh production – Is it in the same range as last year for the same month?
- Sudden drops – A sharp, unexplained drop may signal:
- Inverter or string failure
- Tripped breaker
- Shading from new trees or structures
- Disconnected monitoring (data issue vs actual production issue)
- Error codes or alerts – Many systems send notifications for faults or outages.
Tip: Take screenshots or save monthly reports. They’re useful for warranty claims and for spotting slow performance declines.
3. Visual checks from the ground
Every few months, do a simple visual inspection:
- From the ground (no ladder)
- Look for:
- Obvious damage (cracked glass, broken frames)
- Loose or dangling wires
- Debris (leaves, branches, bird nests)
- Heavy soiling (thick dust, pollen, droppings, ash)
- Listen for:
- Unusual buzzing or humming from inverter or junction boxes
- Look for:
Watch-out: If you see exposed wires, burn marks, or melted components, call a licensed solar or electrical pro immediately. Do not touch or attempt to repair.
4. Cleaning your panels (if needed)
Many homes don’t need frequent manual cleaning, but you might if:
- You live in a very dusty, smoky, or pollen-heavy area
- You see visible buildup that rain isn’t removing
- Your monitoring shows a noticeable drop in production not explained by seasons or weather
If you decide to clean:
-
Best practices
- Avoid going on the roof if possible; roof work is a major fall risk.
- Clean early morning or late evening to avoid hot glass (sudden cooling can stress panels).
- Use soft water spray and a soft brush or squeegee with a long pole if reachable from the ground.
- Use plain water or a very mild, manufacturer-approved cleaner.
- Rinse thoroughly to avoid streaks or residue.
-
What to avoid
- High-pressure washers
- Abrasive pads or powders
- Harsh chemicals or solvents
- Standing or walking on panels
- Leaning ladders against panel frames
Watch-out: If panels are only accessible from a steep or high roof, it’s safer to hire a professional cleaning service that’s trained and insured for roof work.
5. Periodic professional inspection
Once a year (or every couple of years), consider a professional checkup:
- What a pro typically does
- Visually inspects:
- Panels, frames, and glass
- Mounting hardware and roof penetrations
- Wiring, junction boxes, and conduit
- Checks:
- Inverter operation and error logs
- System grounding and safety devices
- Overall system performance vs expected output
- May:
- Tighten loose connections
- Identify shading issues (new trees, structures)
- Recommend repairs or adjustments
- Visually inspects:
Tip: Ask for a written report with photos and any recommended actions. Keep it with your system records.
6. Handling issues and warranty claims
If you notice a problem:
- Gather info first
- Dates of issue and any error messages
- Photos of visible damage or soiling
- Recent production data (screenshots help)
- Check your warranties
- Panel performance and product warranty
- Inverter warranty
- Workmanship/installation warranty
- Contact the right party
- For installation or roof leaks: your original installer (if still in business)
- For equipment failures: installer or manufacturer support line
- For monitoring issues only: monitoring provider or installer
Watch-out: Some warranties may require you to work through the original installer or an authorized service provider. Confirm the process before hiring an independent contractor, or you could risk losing coverage.
DIY vs. hire a pro (or self-serve vs. professional)
What you can reasonably do yourself
For many homeowners, safe DIY tasks include:
- Monitoring performance
- Checking your app or inverter display monthly
- Comparing production year-over-year
- Basic visual checks
- Looking for debris, nests, or obvious damage from the ground
- Light, safe cleaning
- Rinsing panels reachable from the ground with a hose and soft brush
- Only if you can do so without ladders or roof access
What should be left to professionals
For safety and warranty reasons, hire a licensed solar or electrical pro for:
- Roof work
- Any cleaning or inspection that requires:
- Climbing on the roof
- Working on steep or high roofs
- Any cleaning or inspection that requires:
- Electrical work
- Opening electrical boxes or disconnects
- Rewiring, replacing breakers, or modifying circuits
- Replacing inverters, optimizers, or junction boxes
- Structural or mounting issues
- Loose racking or mounting hardware
- Roof leaks near mounting points
- Panel removal and reinstallation (e.g., for roof replacement)
- Complex troubleshooting
- Persistent underperformance with no obvious cause
- Repeated inverter errors or shutdowns
- Suspected ground faults or arc faults
Safety note: Solar systems produce power whenever there is light, even if the main breaker is off. There are always energized components present. Treat all wiring and equipment as live and dangerous unless you are a trained, licensed professional.
If you’re unsure, it’s safer to get a professional opinion. You can use Home Services Scout to compare local solar pros and find someone qualified for inspections, cleaning, or repairs.
Questions to ask before you commit
Whether you’re signing up for a maintenance plan, hiring a cleaning service, or scheduling a repair, ask:
- What services are included in your standard maintenance or inspection?
- Do you have experience with my specific system type (string inverter vs microinverters vs optimizers)?
- Are you licensed and insured for solar and electrical work?
- How do you access the panels, and what safety measures do you use on roofs?
- What cleaning methods and products do you use, and are they approved for solar panels?
- Will your work affect my existing warranties in any way?
- Do you provide a written report with photos and performance data after the visit?
- How do you handle warranty claims with manufacturers—do you manage that process or do I?
- What are your service call fees, and how are additional repairs priced?
- Do you offer ongoing maintenance plans or just one-time services?
- How quickly can you respond if my system goes down or shows an error?
- Can you help me set up or improve my monitoring so I can track performance easily?
Quick FAQ
How often do solar panels really need to be cleaned?
In many areas, once a year or even less is enough, especially if you get regular rain. You may need more frequent cleanings in dusty, smoky, or high-pollen environments, or if your monitoring shows a clear drop in production not tied to weather or seasons.
Will dirty panels damage my system?
Light dirt usually reduces output rather than causing damage. However, heavy, long-term buildup can create hot spots and stress certain parts of a panel. It’s mainly a performance and savings issue, not an immediate safety risk, but it’s worth addressing when you notice significant soiling.
How long do solar panels and inverters typically last?
Panels are often rated to produce well for 20–30+ years, with a gradual decline in output. Inverters usually have a shorter lifespan, often around 10–15 years, depending on type and conditions. Many systems will need at least one inverter replacement over their lifetime.
Will maintenance void my warranty?
Proper maintenance usually supports your warranty, but improper cleaning, unauthorized repairs, or electrical work can void it. Always:
- Follow manufacturer guidelines
- Use licensed pros for electrical or roof work
- Keep records of any service or repairs
Wrap-up / next steps
A little attention goes a long way with solar: basic monitoring, occasional cleaning, and periodic professional checkups can keep your system producing strong and protect your warranties. You don’t need to be an expert—you just need a simple routine and the right help when issues pop up.
Before you commit to any maintenance plan, cleaning service, or repair:
- Get 2–3 quotes so you can compare pricing, services, and experience.
- Ask about warranty impacts, safety practices, and what’s included in each visit.
- Look for providers who offer clear reports and communication about your system’s health.
You can use Home Services Scout to quickly compare local solar maintenance and repair pros, check reviews, and request quotes. Taking a little time now to choose the right partner can help your solar investment pay off for decades.