Solar Maintenance and Repair 101

Is your organization considering a switch to solar power? You may have researched installation options, costs, and the potential for savings that come with implementing this eco-friendly energy source. But before you go all-in on solar, make sure that you understand everything you need to know about solar maintenance and repair.

What's involved with solar maintenance?

As a business owner, you should understand what it takes to keep your company's solar power system up and running. However, you shouldn't expect to have to handle maintenance and repairs yourself. In fact, most industry professionals believe the best solution is to hire an experienced, credentialed solar operations and maintenance provider to clean, monitor, maintain, and repair your solar power system for you.

Having a commercial electrician experienced in solar panel installation and repair will ensure that the entire system runs as efficiently as possible, maximizes energy output, and requires fewer repairs over time.

What Are the Core Components of Solar Maintenance?

In essence, there are three core components you need to be aware of when it comes to solar power repair and maintenance:

1. Monitoring: Commercial solar is generally low maintenance technology. However, you'll want to be confident that everything is running smoothly at all times. Most solar providers can offer remote monitoring services that include performance reports and alerts to let them know about performance issues. Some providers include cloud-based services that allow you to generate reports in real-time anytime you want.
2. Preventive maintenance: As with any technology, the best way to keep small issues from turning into more extensive and costly repairs is to conduct regular preventive maintenance. Generally, having your provider come out twice a year to clean and inspect the system is sufficient, but your provider may recommend more frequent visits if you're in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice in the winter.
3. Repair and replace: No matter how vigilantly you monitor and inspect the system, there may come a time when something goes wrong. For example, you may need to replace a panel or repair internal wiring. Your solar maintenance professional will come by to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair the problem quickly. Additionally, your provider will also be able to tell you if any repairs or replacement parts are covered under your warranty, which could save you a lot of money.

How Much Does Solar Maintenance Cost?

The costs of solar maintenance can range from a few thousand dollars a year to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. How much you'll end up paying depends on several factors, such as:

• How large your system is
• How far your firm is from the provider
• Where the system is installed on your property (e.g., rooftop, carport, ground-mounted)

Of course, costs will also vary among various solar maintenance providers, so be sure to shop around to obtain the services you need at the best price.

What Should You Look for in a Solar Maintenance Provider?

The provider you choose will largely depend on your needs and budget. However, you'll want to be sure that whomever you choose will provide the following:

• Remote monitoring services
• Regular reporting
• Cleaning and preventive maintenance services
• Emergency repair response

Not all solar maintenance service companies are created equal. Understanding what these solar maintenance services are, what affects their pricing, and what you should expect from a provider will help you make the best decision for your business.

If you need a reliable and experienced solar maintenance provider, then contact Synergy Electric. We understand how solar panel systems work, why they may break, and how to repair them quickly. You've invested a lot of money into your solar energy system, so you can count on Synergy to help you get the best value and performance out of your equipment. Call us at 862-251-7280 to discuss your next solar project!