Solar power has to be one of life’s most satisfying investments – trimming those energy bills and helping you do your part for the planet. But, like any tech system, it needs to be inspected regularly to ensure it stays in better condition for longer.
That’s why we recommend Australian solar owners get a solar system health check at least once a year. Here are three reasons why.
1. It helps to optimise your energy output
As a part of your annual solar health check, we’ll take a look at the condition of your system and usually give it a good clean.
The reason for this is simple: Over time, solar panels can lose their effectiveness if not looked after. Dust, salt, debris, grime and bird droppings can all accumulate – essentially blocking the sun’s ability to reach the cells in your panels (think about how much brighter a room feels when you give the windows a good clean. Solar panels are the same).
In fact, dust alone can reduce solar output by as much as 50%, according to one paper! That’s a big loss in energy bill savings. Regular cleaning is an easy solve.
Learn more: How to clean your solar panels if you live in Australia
2. It can prevent costly repairs
Your solar system is built to last. In fact, in most cases we’d expect a rooftop solar and battery setup to operate effectively for a good 25-30 years.
But little problems can build up over time. Like grime left uncleaned, maintenance issues left unfixed might start tiny, but if they grow into greater issues then it can become a lot more expensive to fix.
Routine inspections of your mounting brackets, cabling, panel condition, inverters, solar battery and system performance help us to spot issues when they’re easy to tackle, dealing with them then and there and keeping a lid on your maintenance budget.
- Bonus point: This also prevents frustrating downtime. System failures mean we need to shut things down to fix them. Downtime leaves you relying on the grid again – and we don’t want that.
Learn more: How long do solar panels last in Australia?
3. It ensures safety and compliance
A good annual solar health check plays an important role in the ongoing safety and warranty compliance of your entire system.
Reducing hazards
When installing and maintaining your solar power system, we’ll always work hard to ensure that we use high-quality products, check that everything’s installed safely and that we keep it all in good condition.
However, it’s important to remember that this is a high-voltage electrical system that sits in a very exposed place. A good inspection ensures we can keep an eye on things and address if any issues risk becoming a hazard.
Maintaining compliance
It’s very common for manufacturers to require regular maintenance as a part of their warranty conditions. You’ll probably find your home and contents insurer asks for the same thing.
So, in this way, solar health checks not only keep the system safe, they’re an important part of protecting your finances too.
What to do if you think there’s an issue with your rooftop solar
You don’t have to wait for your annual inspection if you’re worried there’s an issue forming with your solar setup.
If you’re ever in doubt, pick up the phone – even if we just come for a quick inspection to confirm everything’s OK, it’ll help to relieve your anxiety and give you confidence that you’re getting the most from your investment.
Signs to look out for that might indicate a problem:
- You’ve noticed dirt, grime or animal nests building up on the panels
- There’s been a noticeable drop in system performance
- You can see physical damage – cracks, discolouration, that sort of thing
- Some of the connections look loose
- There’s an error message on your solar monitoring software
What’s included in a Think Renewable solar health check?
Our solar servicing offers everything you need to ensure the longevity, reliability, performance and safety of your rooftop solar system.
When you book an inspection with your local Think team, we’ll come around to your property at a time that suits you to fully check your system, talk to you about any issues we might spot and address concerns.
Our comprehensive health check includes:
- An inspection of the panels, inverter and battery for damage or faults
- Checking connections on the roof
- Checking each string is correct
- Checking for ground faults/short circuits
- Checking system performance
Additionally, we can professionally clean your system, trim any trees that look like they might cause damage in the future and provide tailored bird proofing solutions – to get ahead of pest problems.
Ready to book in a time? Learn more about our solar servicing here, or get a free quote today.
