Solar panel maintenance, cleaning, and aftercare.

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Solar panel maintenance.

Do solar panels require maintenance?

Solar panels are designed to be really low maintenance. Just stick ‘em up there and let them do their thing.

Unlike boilers, they shouldn’t need an annual service. And with the UK’s world famous drizzle - they rarely need a wash either.

Instead, simply give them a quick look over every once in a while to check for dirt and debris. You can also monitor the performance of your panels using our E.ON Home app. A drop in performance could be a sign that your panels need a service.

If you do need a professional service or cleaning, we always recommend finding a local certified company - you can also check for verified reviews for extra peace of mind.

And don’t worry, if that doesn’t fix it, you’re covered by our 30 year performance guarantee.

How do you maintain a solar PV system?

The first step is nice and simple. Check for problems. If there are no problems, you can sit back and soak up the sun with your solar panels.

For a basic check, simply give your panels a quick visual inspection to spot any obvious signs of dirt, debris, or other wear and tear.

Additional maintenance:

• We recommend a professional service every few years to maintain solar efficiency and extend your solar panels’ lifespan.

• Performance monitoring will help you spot any unexplained drops in the efficiency of your solar panels. If we did your solar installation you can download E.ON Home to monitor and manage your panels.

• Your smart meter can help you to better understand your energy habits (including solar energy generation), so you can get the most out of your panels.

How to visually inspect your solar panels.

It’s quick and easy to inspect your solar panels at home. However, don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. You can do a full visual inspection from ground level, without needing to interact with the panels in any way.

If you do notice an issue, solar panel servicing should always be carried out by a trained professional.

For simple cleaning tasks, make sure you have the right equipment to access and clean the panels safely - and always ensure a trained solar professional has disconnected them from the electricity before starting.

For your safety and convenience we recommend using a professional solar cleaning company, as they are trained to disconnect your panels as well as clean them.

Professional servicing.

Wondering what to expect from a professional solar panel service? Here’s what will normally happen.

• Full visual inspection for visible problems and faults.

• Electrical testing, including your inverter.

• Full system performance check and diagnostics.

• Investigation of any error codes.

• Checking any connected equipment, like solar panels and hot water controllers.

• Some servicers may also offer professional solar panel cleaning, although it may come at an additional cost.

After the service has been conducted you will be provided with a detailed report of the condition of your solar array and any recommended actions to take.

Be aware that a solar panel service does not generally include repairs. If required you will need to book these separately from a certified professional solar engineer.

Safety precautions.

When inspecting your solar panels or having them serviced, always prioritise safety. You and your professional servicer should always follow safety guidance.

• When conducting a visual inspection do not touch the solar system or electricals.

• If you have a roof-mounted system do not put yourself at risk of falling, you can visually inspect from ground level.

• If you need to access roof mounted panels, make sure you are properly equipped for safe access.

• Do not interact with the solar array and wiring for maintenance or cleaning unless it has been disconnected from your power supply (and battery system if you have one) by a trained professional.

• Avoid working on the panels during wet or windy conditions, particularly if they are at height.

• Put your safety first. If you are uncomfortable performing any of the maintenance tasks, consider hiring a professional. Disconnecting and reconnecting your panels should always be carried out by a trained solar professional.

How to know if your solar panels are generating as much power as they should.

If we’ve recently installed your solar system, simply check how much power you're generating on our E.ON Home app. Older systems may not have this feature - but you can still check your generation meter instead. This is usually found near your fuse board.

To get an idea of how much your solar panels should be generating you can check the MCS certificate. Your installer should provide this to you. The MCS certificate will include an estimated annual generation figure which is a good benchmark to check your system’s performance against.

Troubleshooting solar panel issues:

Solar panel maintenance costs.

The cost of maintaining solar panels is usually quite low, as they require little to no maintenance over their lifetime. However, factors such as size, location, and type of panels can all affect the final cost.

• Location. Areas with extreme weather conditions are more likely to require frequent solar panel maintenance. Snow, hail, high winds, and other severe weather can damage the panels. Fortunately, in the UK there is a relatively low risk of weather related damage - however it’s a good idea to check for potential debris risks ahead of storms (such as loose roof tiles, chimney stacks, and nearby trees).

• Type of panels. Some types of solar panels are more delicate than others, putting them at higher risk of damage. Thin-film panels are more fragile than crystalline silicon panels for example. Therefore, silicon panels are likely to be a lower maintenance choice.

• Size of the system. As you would expect, a larger solar panel array will usually cost more to maintain. A professional service or repair will generally be quoted per panel, making larger systems more expensive. Although in the case of repairs, you won’t necessarily need maintenance on the whole system at once.

Don’t wait for a problem with your panels. Check out our two top tips to help reduce the lifetime costs of solar maintenance when you buy your panels:

• Choose a certified installer. An MCS accredited installer, like us, will use high quality materials and offer expert professional installation. This reduces the chance that you’ll have issues later on. We’re also a Which? Trusted Trader with thousands of installations under our belt.

• Get a warranty. Warranties protect you from the cost of repairs or replacements if you have a problem after installation. They generally last a set amount of time - the longer the better. All our solar panels come with a 30 year performance warranty that should last the lifetime of your panels. If you add a solar battery to your installation, you’ll also get a 10 year manufacturer warranty to cover your battery.

Solar panel cleaning.

How often do I need to clean my solar panels?

The short answer is that you shouldn’t need to clean your solar panels. They’re designed to be self-cleaning. The solar panels have a hydrophobic coating, which prevents water droplets sticking to the surface and instead as water falls off, it takes dirt and debris with it.

The UK has plenty of rain to keep most solar installations clean year-round, as long as they are mounted at an angle of 15° or more.

You might need to clean your panels if:

• There's been a dry period with little or no rain.

• You live in a particularly dusty or sandy area.

• There’s a build-up of dirt such as bird droppings on your panels.

• Your panels are mounted at less than a 15° angle.

If you do need to clean your solar panels you can follow our guidance below or use a local specialist solar panel cleaning company.

Cost of solar panel cleaning.

The cost of professional solar panel cleaning depends on your unique solar setup and the availability of specialist cleaners in your local area.

The average cost of solar panel cleaning is around £100-150 for a system with less than 20 roof-mounted PV panels. Many cleaning companies will also offer prices per panel being cleaned. This is a great option for smaller arrays or more targeted cleaning needs. On average solar panel cleaning costs between £4-15 per panel.

What can affect the cost of solar cleaning?

• The number of panels.

• The location (roof vs ground).

• Accessibility.

Larger solar systems are more expensive to clean. In fact many cleaners will charge per panel.

Roof mounted solar panel systems are typically more expensive to clean, as they require additional training and equipment to access safely.

If the location of your solar panels is particularly unusual and hard to access this could also increase the cost, as special equipment (such as scaffolding) may be needed.

What to expect from a professional solar panel cleaning service.

• Inspection. Professional cleaner will begin with a visual inspection to find areas with dirt and debris. They will also set up safe access to your panels.

• Power off. Before they start cleaning they will need to turn your solar panels off by disconnecting them from your home’s electricity (and your solar battery if you have one). Solar cleaning usually takes around 1-2 hours. They will need to remain switched off for this time.

• Cleaning. Now everything is safely prepared they will clean your panels using specialist tools and materials to prevent damage.

• Rinsing. After cleaning they will use a squeegee to remove excess water from your panels. This prevents a residue forming (such as limescale) as the water evaporates.

• Power on. Once the cleaning has been completed and it’s safe to do so, they will reconnect your system to your power. They should also check your solar array is in the same condition as before the clean.

The dos and don’ts of DIY solar panel cleaning.

Do.

• Have a trained solar professional disconnect the solar panels from electricity and solar batteries before starting.

• Remove debris before you start to prevent scratches.

• Get the right tools for the job. You’ll need a soft sponge and a squeegee, as well as safe access to the panels.

• Remove excess water after cleaning using a squeegee. This prevents residues, like limescale, from forming on your panels and reducing their efficiency.

Don’t.

• Don’t put yourself in danger. Electricity and water never mix, so always ask a trained solar professional to disconnect your panels before starting. Plus, if you cannot safely access your panels, you should reach out to a professional cleaning service instead.

• Don’t use soaps and chemicals. Harsh chemicals (like bleach) can damage the protective coating on your solar panels. Even gentler soaps can leave residues that reduce your panel's efficiency. If you must use a cleaning product, choose specialist solar cleaning fluid as it reduces the risk of residues.

• Don’t use a power washer. Powerful jet washers can cause damage to the surface of your panels due to the high pressure. Surface scratches and other blemishes may reduce the efficiency of your panels.

• Don’t use abrasive cleaning tools. Harsh cleaning tools, like steel wool or hard brushes, can scratch the surface of solar panels - reducing their efficiency. A soft sponge is the best choice for solar cleaning.

Your solar panel maintenance summary.

Solar panels are inherently low-maintenance, especially when compared to boilers. In the UK, the frequent rainfalls naturally clean the panels. However, for any concerns, E.ON's Solar Care team, with expertise since 2011, is available for guidance. Regular inspections are essential to detect potential issues early.

This encompasses visual checks for damages, ensuring secure connections, and using monitoring tools to observe system performance.

Addressing shading problems caused by overgrown vegetation is also crucial. Seasonal adjustments include ensuring proper ventilation in summer, removing snow in winter, and cleaning debris during autumn and spring to maintain optimal efficiency.

Solar panel maintenance and cleaning FAQs.