Solar Maintenance Contract

 
Solar panel maintenance and general regular upkeep can increase the lifespan of your solar system. A well maintained one can give anywhere between 10 to 30% extra energy compared to a system that is left to gather dust. Rather than hiring an operations and maintenance service after installation and rack up a hefty bill in the process, consider asking your installer to create a solar maintenance contract.
 

What is a solar maintenance contract?

Without a maintenance agreement such as a contract to maintain your solar system, your panels will not be optimized for long term use. The regular schedule will keep them running at maximum efficiency. Plus ask them if they also offer an energy audit to check the efficiency of the energy being generated.
Most solar maintenance contracts contain one and they advise panel owners how they can utilize the excess energy as a return on investment. They might also ask you to get more trackers and panels installed to get enough energy to ‘sell’ to your regular power provider.

The first step that your contractor will take when creating a solar maintenance contract is outlining processes and documentation for your system. This will also include other key components and the deal itself will address some of the following key areas:

• Routine and scheduled maintenance and cleaning
• Regular site inspections
• Inspection of key components in the system
• Annual overall inspection
• Troubleshooting and diagnostics for solving issues in individual components.
• Processes that are to be used to repair critical components if they break down or fail.
• Data collection and analysis of findings
• Maximizing the efficiency and safety of the solar panels.

So basically a solar maintenance contract comprises of a set of critical activities that can allow a solar system to perform at maximum efficiency, increase power production and which can allow it to function as smoothly as possible irrespective of its age. For this reason, the contract should also cover all seasons in order to:

• Reduce risks for owners of the panels
• Ensure the panels last for the entirety of their lifespan.
• Ensure the panels comply with regulations set by grid operators and environmental governance.
• Weather related maintenance
• Site and environmental maintenance

This is the main focus of most solar maintenance contracts – most of these are in place to ensure that the basic system is working as it is designed and to monitor performance on a regular basis. Unfortunately these are also activities that are the most overlooked when a contract is not in the picture. Keeping a check on these separately can be challenging and costlier compared to a pre-determined agreement on installation.

With increase energy bills, increasing threats of climate change and amazing tax incentives, solar panels have become increasingly popular with home owners. However, purchasing and installing a system is not cheap but it can basically pay for itself down the years if it is maintained on a regular basis. A solar maintenance contract can ensure this.