Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Admin
Before you decide to invest in solar panels for your luxury home, you need to make sure you understand exactly what you’re buying.
That means doing your research and reading up on everything you will need to know as the owner of solar panels—including their maintenance requirements.
This article will serve as a brief guide to solar panel maintenance, including what’s involved, and at what cost.
Table of Contents
How Long do Solar Panels Last?
Solar panels last at least 25 years when they’re a quality product and have been professionally installed.
However, some components in your solar panel system may need to be replaced earlier. For instance, PV inverters generally have a lifespan of around 12 years and cost in the region of $1,000-$1,200 to replace, depending on the size required.
If your PV inverter came with a warranty, the warranty may cover the cost of replacing the inverter within the warranty period. But some companies only offer warranties at a cost, and it might actually be cheaper to buy the new inverter when the time comes.
What’s Involved in Solar Panel Maintenance?
Solar panels are low-maintenance systems and you don’t need to do a lot to keep them functioning properly.
One possible maintenance task is trimming any nearby trees to reduce shading over the area.
You may also need to clean debris off your solar panels from time to time, especially if they’re not tilted at an angle where rain can wash off the majority of buildup. This cleaning frequency will depend on where you live (regions with more dust in the air will require more cleaning).
You’ll learn about the exact maintenance tasks required for your solar panels when you speak to an installer. They’ll help you to understand how to check if a solar power system is working properly, and how to troubleshoot problems.
How Much do Solar Panels Cost to Maintain?
Beyond the upfront price of solar panels, you’ll also need to consider their ongoing maintenance costs.
The cost of maintaining a solar panel system depends on the specific maintenance it requires.
Most people will spend around $100-$150 a year on cleaning supplies or professional cleaning, but again, this depends on whether your solar panels will even need cleaning at all.
There are extra costs to consider when it comes to repairs and replacements. As we mentioned, the inverter will need replacing after around 10 years, and this will set you back around $1,000.
Takeaway
Maintaining your solar panels will keep them working as efficiently as possible, helping you to maximize your savings in the long run.
The good news is that solar panels are very low-maintenance and, depending on the region you live in, you may not need to clean them at all.
If you want to know about the specific maintenance requirements of the solar panels you’re planning to install, speak to the installer. They should provide you with a maintenance guidebook that you can use as a reference when needed.
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