A solar panel system has no moving parts and is built to last many years. Even so, it needs simple but regular maintenance to keep producing what it should and to catch faults early.

What good maintenance includes

1. Check production

This is the most useful step, and you can do it yourself in the inverter's app. Compare production on similar sunny days, or this month against the same month last year. An unexplained drop is the first sign that something is wrong.

2. Visual inspection of the panels

  • Built-up dirt, leaves or bird droppings.
  • New shade: a tree that has grown, an aerial or a nearby building.
  • Broken glass, damaged frames or discoloured areas.

3. Panel cleaning

  • With water and a soft brush. If your water is very hard, use demineralised water to avoid limescale marks.
  • No abrasive products and no high-pressure water, which can damage the glass and seals.
  • Early in the morning or late in the day, never when the panels are very hot: cold water on hot glass can cause damage.

4. Electrical check

Inspection of wiring, connectors, switchboard protection and earthing. This part must be done by a qualified professional.

5. Inverter and mounting structure

  • Inverter: alarms or error messages, proper ventilation and manufacturer updates.
  • Structure: anchors, bolts and signs of corrosion, especially near the coast.

How often

  • Check production: once a month, in the app.
  • Full check-up: at least once a year.
  • Cleaning: depends on where you live. In the Valencia region, it is worth checking the panels after calima (Saharan dust) or muddy rain. Do it more often near dirt tracks, farmland, building sites or the coast, where salt builds up.

Warning signs

Ask for a check-up if you notice any of these signs:

  1. Lower production than before on similar sunny days.
  2. Inverter warnings, error lights or disconnections.
  3. New dirt or shade that rain does not wash away.

Can I do it myself?

Checking production in the app, yes. But climbing onto the roof and handling the electrical side carry fall and electrical risks. For cleaning at height and the technical check, the safest choice is a professional with the right equipment.

Also check the warranty terms for your panels and inverter: some manufacturers require minimum maintenance, or that it is done by an installer.

Our maintenance plans

We check and clean systems across the Valencia region, including ones we did not install. See our maintenance plans or contact us to book a check-up.