The Benefits of Combining EV Charging with Solar and Storage
July 22, 2025The Importance of Solar Panel Maintenance
Solar panel systems are designed to be a long-term energy solution, durably built to last and generate energy for decades. However, even premium equipment and quality installations eventually endure harsh weather conditions, component aging, and standard wear and tear. Maintaining and servicing your system is therefore crucial for its longevity, ensuring that it continues to perform efficiently and safely while maximizing your financial savings. Going solar is not a “set it and forget” type of purchase, but a long-term decision that involves commitment from you, the homeowner, and your solar company. Choosing the right company to be your partner for the long haul is just as important as picking your initial installer.
Why Solar Panel Maintenance Matters
Even the highest quality solar panels installed by the most reliable solar company will lose efficiency and develop issues over time. Regular maintenance keeps your system going and producing efficiently, and prevents small issues from becoming expensive problems down the road. Here are a few reasons why solar panel maintenance really matters:
- Maintains Efficiency. Dirt, debris, harsh weather and general wear and tear can reduce production over time.
- Prevents Major Repairs in the Future. Early detection of issues prevents them from turning into full-blown system failures. Loose wiring, small cracks, and aging or failing components may go unnoticed but cause real issues later on.
- Improves Safety. Overheating, loose wiring, or electrical hazards may cause safety issues if not detected soon enough.
- ROI. Going solar is a financial decision – to ensure you’re getting the most out of it, you want your system performing at its best. Maintaining your system means continued peak performance, which means more money in your pocket.
Full Solar Maintenance
When we talk about solar maintenance, what specifically is included? There are lots of things to keep track of when it comes to the upkeep of your solar system. Here are some of the subcategories that fall under the vast umbrella of solar maintenance:
System Inspection, Evaluation & Diagnostics
Checking your system is the first step in identifying any issues and understanding what maintenance is required. A full diagnostic inspection is the foundation of proper maintenance. This includes a full system checkup; electrical and wiring inspection; inverter, optimizer, and monitoring inspection; panel and roof assessment; and issue diagnosis and recommendations. In all, a comprehensive, full system check will assess production levels, system efficiency, and the physical condition of all components before providing a clear diagnosis.
Learn more about Solar Discovery’s system inspection, evaluation, and diagnostics.
Solar Panel Maintenance & Repair
Solar panels will inevitably require some maintenance or repair. Common issues include cracked panels, connection issues, and damaged wiring. Servicing includes fixing connectivity issues, wiring problems, and mounting issues; repairing or replacing broken panels; breaker repair and replacement; and repairing roof leaks. Over the years, your system will experience some wear and tear, at the very least. Panel repair and maintenance is a crucial part of keeping them going.
Learn more about Solar Discovery’s solar panel maintenance and repair.
Inverter, Microinverter & Optimizer Repair
Inverters, microinverters, and optimizers are all crucial components of a functioning solar system. Issues with them are surprisingly common causes of solar system malfunctions. Servicing includes diganosing and repairing failing components; inverter, microinverter, and optimizer repair and replacement; and awning installation to protect inverters from overheating. These components are often overlooked, as we tend to focus on the panels themselves as the main parts of a solar system. However, they play a crucial role in keeping your system running, and therefore require regular attention and maintenance.
Learn more about Solar Discovery’s inverter, microinverter, and optimizer repair and services.
Solar Monitoring Services
Solar monitoring allows you to keep track of your system’s performance and ensure that it’s operating efficiently. Services include monitoring setup; site transfers and mapping; CT metering device installation; and antenna installation for Wi-Fi connectivity. Solar systems will occasionally malfunction and have dips in production, or even stop working entirely. Having monitoring set up is the best way to get ahead of these issues and pinpoint them as soon as they happen.
Learn more about Solar Discovery’s solar monitoring services.
Solar Panel Removal & Reinstallation
In some instances, panels will need to be removed entirely and reinstalled. Instances where this might come up include roofing issues, where the panels will need to be removed in order to access the roof for repairs; home renovations, where alterations to your roof or your home’s footprint would require relocating panels; panel repair and maintenance, where panels need to be removed in order to be serviced; and relocation, where panels need to be relocated to a different part of the roof or even to a new home.
Learn more about Solar Discovery’s solar panel removal and reinstallation services.
Completing Unfinished Solar Projects
This may be the biggest service we provide. There are unfortunately many instances where solar companies do not complete installations. Whether they go out of business, make technical errors, or simply can’t handle problems that arise during installation, many companies will just leave projects unfinished. Solar Discovery will pick up wherever they left off.
Learn more about how Solar Discovery can help get your project finished.
Common Issues (Even with Quality Equipment & Installers)
Solar panels are very durable, and when installed properly, will last a very long time. Still, no system is fully immune to wear and tear. Here is a short list of common issues that may arise:
- Heat and weather exposure
- Electrical component aging
- Dust, dirt, and environmental debris and buildup
- Inverter failure
- Animal damage
Even premium systems installed by the best installers can’t eliminate natural aging and exposure to the elements that will occur over the roughly 25-year lifespan of a solar system. There’s no way around it: your system will need maintenance at one point or another.
Reality Check: Solar Companies Disappear (A Lot)
One of the biggest challenges facing the solar world today has nothing to do with equipment itself – it’s the industry. Despite continued improvements in technology and rapid growth in popularity, the industry still faces issues which leave it prone to instability. As a result many companies will close within a few years of launching; others merge with larger companies, lose service departments, or, for whatever reason, stop supporting past customers. When this happens, homeowners are left without a partner in their solar journey, unable to get support, services, or repairs when they need it most. As going solar is a long-term commitment, having a stable, all-in-one solar company at your side can make a huge difference.
The Value of an All-In-One Solar Company
Having an all-in-one solar service provider eliminates the biggest pain points homeowners face when trying to maintain their system. The benefits include:
- Continued Support, Services, & Maintenance
- Streamlined Efficiency & Expertise
- Assistance with Local Utilities, Policies, & Building Codes
- Lower Installation Costs
- Speed & Efficiency of Services
- Paired Battery & Roofing Services
In short, having one company with you every step of the way is the safest and most cost-effective way to manage a decades-long investment. Read more about working with an all-in-one solar installation company.
Solar Discovery & Our Membership Plan
Solar maintenance is essential for keeping your system safe, efficient, and financially beneficial. Solar Discovery provides full-service support for any system, regardless of whether we installed it or not. We take pride in our accurate troubleshooting, transparent communication, and overall reliability and dependability in an often volatile industry.
For homeowners who want proactive protection for their solar systems, our Services Membership Plan delivers peace of mind through free site visits, monitoring services, and more to help keep your home energy system working at its best. It’s the simplest way to prevent small issues from turning into costly failures. Rest easy knowing that whatever happens, we’ve got your back.
