Solar Maintenance and Aftercare

Your solar PV (photovoltaic) panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity for your home using an inverter. Your home will use this power as you generate it, then you’ll import any extra you need from the grid. Any extra you generate will go back into the grid, or some may be stored in your battery, if you have one.

Unless you have a battery, your free solar electricity cannot be stored and used at other times. 

To make the most of your solar electricity use it at the time it is generated.

• Use your electrical appliances during daylight hours, when the solar panels are generating free electricity.  Top Tip - set a 24-hour timer so that your washing machine and dishwasher come on even when you are out. But make sure your appliances are electrically tested and safe to leave unattended. 
• Spread the use of your appliances throughout the day so that you maximise your free electricity supply. If they are all on at the same time you might use more energy than your solar panels can generate and so, you’ll end up paying more than you need to.

Your Solar PV system is designed to work for many years with minimal maintenance.  But, it’s still a good idea to keep a close eye on your system and how much electricity it’s generating.

If you’re not sure you could make a note of your readings from your smart generation meter every week and take a note of any  weather conditions at the time. You’ll soon come to understand how much electricity you can expect to generate in different conditions and at different times of the year.

Sometimes little things like excessive bird droppings can drop your generation.  You’d be able to see this.

There are companies who specialise in this work and can arrange for a technician to come out. There will be a charge for this, but they should let you know the costs before carrying out any work.