Maintenance & Care

Solar System Maintenance Guide

Keep your system running at peak performance for 25+ years with minimal maintenance

Good News: Solar Requires Minimal Maintenance

Unlike cars or air conditioners, solar systems have no moving parts and require very little ongoing maintenance. Most systems operate flawlessly for 25+ years with just basic care.

No moving parts

Weather resistant

Self-monitoring

Maintenance Schedule

Monthly

Check Monitoring App

Review daily production and ensure system is performing as expected

5 minutesHigh

Visual Inspection

Look for visible damage, bird nests, or debris on panels

10 minutesMedium

Quarterly

Clean Panels (if needed)

Remove dust, dirt, and bird droppings that reduce efficiency

30-60 minutesMedium

Check Inverter Display

Ensure inverter shows green light and no error codes

2 minutesHigh

Annual

Professional Inspection

Electrician checks connections, wiring, and overall system health

1-2 hoursRecommended

Performance Analysis

Compare production to previous years and expected output

15 minutesMedium

Panel Cleaning Guide

Clean panels can produce 10-15% more energy

When to Clean

After dust storms or bushfire smoke

When bird droppings accumulate

If you notice 10%+ drop in production

Typically 1-2 times per year in Canberra

Safety First

• Never walk on solar panels

• Don't climb on roof unless qualified

• Panels can be slippery when wet

• When in doubt, hire a professional

DIY Cleaning

Early morning or evening (cool panels)

Use garden hose with soft water

Soft brush or squeegee if needed

Never use pressure washer

Stay off the roof - ground-level cleaning only

Cost

Free

Safety

Low risk if staying on ground

Professional Cleaning

Book certified solar cleaner

Includes safety equipment

Proper techniques preserve panel coating

Full inspection while on roof

Recommended every 2-3 years

Cost

$150–300

Safety

Safest option

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Production Drop

Low (unless sudden 50%+ drop)

Symptoms:

• Lower kWh generation than usual

• Gradual decline over weeks

• Different from seasonal variation

Common Causes:

• Dirty panels (most common)

• Shading from new tree growth

• Inverter issues

• Grid connection problems

Solution:

Check monitoring app history. Clean panels. Contact us if issue persists.

Inverter Error

Medium (system not generating)

Symptoms:

• Red light on inverter

• Error code displayed

• System offline in app

• No power generation

Common Causes:

• Grid power outage

• Temporary fault (auto-resets)

• Component failure

• Software update

Solution:

Check if grid power is on. Wait 5 minutes for auto-reset. Contact us if error persists.

Physical Damage

High (safety risk)

Symptoms:

• Cracked solar panel glass

• Loose mounting hardware

• Damaged cables or conduit

• Water ingress in inverter

Common Causes:

• Hail damage

• Falling tree branch

• Poor installation

• Wildlife damage

Solution:

Take photos. Contact us immediately. May be covered by warranty or insurance.

Battery Not Charging

Medium (losing storage benefits)

Symptoms:

• Battery stays at low charge

• Not storing solar energy

• Running on grid at night

• Battery offline in app

Common Causes:

• Settings need adjustment

• Battery management system issue

• Connection problem

• Battery cell failure

Solution:

Check battery settings in app. Ensure solar is generating. Contact us for diagnosis.

Performance Optimization Tips

Maximize your solar savings with these strategies

Time-of-Use Optimization

Run high-energy appliances during peak solar hours

Dishwasher and washing machine: 10am–2pm

Pool pumps: midday

Hot water heating: solar peak hours

EV charging: daytime when possible

Save $200–400/year

Battery Cycling

Optimize battery charge/discharge patterns

Charge from solar daily

Discharge 70–90% nightly

Avoid keeping at 100% constantly

Use backup reserve mode correctly

Extend battery life 2–3 years

Monitor Shading

Keep panels clear of new shade sources

Trim growing trees annually

Clear TV antennas if needed

Watch for new construction nearby

Even small shade affects whole string

Maintain 100% capacity

Warranty Coverage

Component	Product Warranty	Performance	Coverage	Contact
Solar Panels	12–25 years	25 years (80–90% output)	Manufacturing defects, performance degradation	Manufacturer (we assist with claims)
Inverter	5–10 years	N/A	Component failure, software issues	Manufacturer or Alpine Power
Battery	10 years	10 years (70% capacity)	Cell failure, capacity loss, BMS issues	Manufacturer (we assist with claims)
Workmanship	10 years	N/A	Installation issues, mounting, wiring	Alpine Power directly

Need Maintenance or Repairs?

We provide ongoing support for all systems we install, plus maintenance services for existing systems.