Solar panel maintenance and warranties

Day-to-day maintenance

Solar panels are generally low-maintenance. Energy Saving Trust says you don't need to do much to keep a system running well, and that UK rain will clean panels if they're tilted at 15 degrees or more.

That doesn't mean you should ignore the system. Nearby trees can grow, birds can nest, cables can be damaged, and inverters can throw faults. Monitoring matters.

Cleaning and access

Avoid risky DIY roof work. If panels look dirty or output drops, compare generation with expected seasonal performance first. A dull winter month isn't the same as a fault.

Ground-mounted systems or very shallow panels may gather more dirt. If cleaning is needed, use a competent service that won't damage the roof, panels or warranty.

Warranties to separate

A solar quote may mention a 25-year warranty, but that doesn't mean everything is covered for 25 years. Panels, inverter, battery, mounting, workmanship and performance guarantees can all have different terms.

Read what the warranty covers, who backs it, how claims are made and whether labour is included. A long warranty from a company that won't answer the phone isn't much comfort.

• Panel product warranty.
• Panel performance warranty.
• Inverter warranty.
• Battery warranty and usable capacity guarantee.
• Workmanship warranty.
• Roof penetration or mounting warranty.

Paperwork to keep

Keep the handover pack somewhere boring and findable. If you change export supplier, sell the home or need a warranty claim, you'll be glad you did.