To maximize solar energy production, ROI, and equipment longevity, conducting comprehensive system inspections remains imperative over the solar home’s lifespan. This solar panel maintenance checklist details essential maintenance items spanning software monitoring, physical panels, and electrical gear for periodic reviews.
Whether installing solar panels at your home or purchasing a property with an existing solar setup, this comprehensive checklist will be an invaluable resource for you and your contractor. It’s designed to guide you through the key considerations and steps involved in ensuring a smooth, efficient solar panel installation or transfer of ownership, guaranteeing the best possible outcome for your solar energy investment.
Table of Contents
Software Monitoring and Remote Inspection Checklist
Routinely surveying performance data through cloud-based monitoring platforms like Enphase Enlighten or SolarEdge provides transparency on system productivity, diagnostics, and historical patterns.
- Access Verification: Confirm username and password are accurate and functional.
- Site ID Migration: Ensure migration of the Site ID is completed.
- System Plans: Confirm possession of accurate system plans and site maps.
- PTO (Permission to Operate) Date: Verify the PTO date.
- System Layout According to Plans: Check if the layout matches the plans.
- Panel Visibility: Ensure all solar panels are correctly showing in the system.
- Inverter Connectivity: Check that all inverters are reporting correctly.
- System Type Identification: Determine whether it’s a Microinverter or String Inverter system.
- Optimizer Count: If applicable, count the number of optimizers in a string inverter system.
- Unexplained Downtime Analysis: Investigate any unexplained system downtime.
- PTO and Monitoring Consistency: Confirm PTO date matches with monitoring data.
- System Size Verification: Ensure the system size matches the homeowner’s claim.
- Panel Type Confirmation: Verify the type of solar panels installed.
- Panel Wattage Check: Confirm the wattage of each panel.
- Array Mapping Accuracy: Check if arrays are mapped correctly.
- Error Message Review: Count and investigate error messages over the last year.
- System Downtime History: Note any significant downtime periods and their durations.
- Gateway Issues Identification: Check for any issues with the system’s gateway.
- Case History Overview: Review the history of cases and note case numbers if available.
- System Expansions or Additions: Record any expansions or additional installations.
- Repair and Replacement (R&R) History: Note dates and details of any R&R with invoice evidence.
- Electrical Issue Inspection: Investigate for potential electrical issues.
- Warranty Eligibility: Determine if the system is still under warranty.
Solar Roof Checklist
While analytics offer widescale insights, directly inspecting residential solar equipment yearly remains imperative – validating rooftop attachments, wiring integrity, and industrial-grade protective housings shielding investments from elements.
- Panel Installation Compliance: Verify panels are installed as per approved plans.
- Alignment and Leveling: Check if the array is straight and level.
- Flashing and Holes: Ensure there are no exposed holes and all flashing is done properly.
- Mount Installation: Verify mounts are installed flush and under the correct number of shingles.
- Mount Spacing: Ensure mounts are spaced within the allowable distance.
- Cantilever Limitation: Check that the cantilever is less than 20 inches.
- Tile Integrity: Inspect for any broken tiles and ensure they are intact.
- Mounting Hardware: Confirm that L-feet, rails, mounts, and slides are installed tightly and correctly.
- Hardware Security: Ensure mids, ends, couplings, and mounts are installed tightly.
- Grounding Compliance: Verify panels are grounded properly as per AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) requirements.
- Rail and Array Grounding: Check that each rail and/or array is properly grounded.
- Conduit and Junction Boxes: Inspect that conduit and junction boxes are off the roof, where applicable.
- Trex Blocks: Ensure they are attached to the roof and spaced correctly.
- Junction Box Attachment: Verify that the junction box is attached to the rail.
- Conduit Fittings: Check all conduit fittings are installed properly and are tight.
- Wiring Protection: Inspect that trunk unsheathed wires are not exposed to elements.
- Switch Wiring: Confirm that the switch, if needed, is wired correctly.
- Secure Connections: Check wire nuts are installed properly and tight.
- Junction Box Cleanliness: Ensure no debris is present in the junction box.
- Wire Security: Verify all wires under the array are secure and not hanging down.
- Labeling: Ensure labels are present on the conduit and junction box.
- Junction Box Seals: Confirm seals are installed properly.
- Junction Box Screws: Check that all screws are used for the junction box.
- Conduit Sealing: Ensure conduit penetration is sealed properly at the top.
- Conduit Grounding: Confirm conduit is grounded as per AHJ requirements.
- Conduit Placement: Check that the conduit run is the least intrusive.
Electrical Checklist
It is highly advisable to have a licensed electrician or solar expert inspect key electrical components and connections as part of your routine solar system maintenance practices.
While homeowners may review certain general wiring integrity factors visually, only professional electricians possess the expertise and diagnostic tools to assess critical elements thoroughly:
- Equipment Security: Ensure all electrical equipment is securely fastened.
- Wiring Compliance: Verify that the wiring is as per the approved plans.
- Fuse Sizing: Verify fuse sizes are installed as per plans.
- Interconnection: Inspect if the interconnection is installed properly.
- Ground Rod Installation: Confirm ground rods are installed correctly if needed.
- Bonding: Check gas and water bonds are installed properly if needed.
- Breaker Placement: Ensure the interconnection breaker is placed furthest from the main.
- Labeling: Confirm labels are present on the conduit.
- Conduit Sealing: Inspect that conduit penetrations are sealed at the bottom.
- Conduit Placement: Ensure that the conduit run is the least intrusive.
- Wire Connections: Check that wires are connected using wire nuts.
Why is it so Important To Maintain Your Solar Energy System?
Maintaining your solar energy system is crucial for several reasons, all of which contribute to the system’s efficiency, longevity, and safety. Here are the key reasons why regular maintenance is so important:
- Optimizing Efficiency and Performance: Dust, debris, and other materials can accumulate on solar panels, reducing their ability to absorb sunlight efficiently. Regular cleaning and maintenance ensure that your panels operate at maximum efficiency, thus generating more electricity and improving your return on investment.
- Extending the Lifespan of the System: Solar energy systems, particularly solar panels, are designed to last for many years. However, like other technological equipment, they can degrade or wear down over time. Regular maintenance checks and timely repairs can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems, thereby extending the lifespan of your system.
- Ensuring Safety: A poorly maintained solar system can pose safety risks. Damaged wires or malfunctioning components can lead to electrical hazards. Regular inspections help identify and rectify such issues, ensuring the system is safe for your home or business.
- Protecting Warranties: Many solar panel and inverter manufacturers require regular maintenance as a warranty condition. Neglecting maintenance can void these warranties, leaving you without coverage for repairs or replacements that might be needed later.
- Identifying and Fixing Problems Early: Regular maintenance helps in the early detection of potential issues like inverter failures, panel cracks, or loose racking, which can be fixed before they lead to system failure or decreased performance.
- Saving Money in the Long Run: You can maximize your energy savings by maintaining your system and keeping it running at peak efficiency. A well-maintained system reduces the likelihood of costly emergency repairs or replacements in the future.
Download the Solar Panel Maintenance Checklist
Feel Free to download the PDF version of our checklist here.
Conclusion
Staying vigilant with solar system maintenance translates directly into realizing enduring financial paybacks and sustainable energy independence for homeowners. Software monitoring proves essential for remote visibility, while periodic roof reviews and professional technician engagement ensure the longevity of these grid independence investments.
