What Maintenance is Required for Commercial Solar Panels?

A Guide to Upkeep, Inspections and Solar Panel System Performance

As solar energy becomes widely adopted by UK businesses in order to reduce operational costs and to meet sustainability goals, it’s important to understand the maintenance required to keep commercial solar systems operating at peak performance.

At Eden, we closely monitor systems, carry out thorough annual inspections, analyse system performance monthly and provide detailed reports to ensure your system runs efficiently, and so continuing to deliver strong performance throughout its lifespan.

Why Maintenance is Important for Commercial Solar Systems?

Although commercial solar panels are built to last 25 years or more, maintenance plays a vital role in ensuring they continue to operate efficiently over time. Proactive upkeep helps identify issues early, minimises downtime, prevents energy loss and reduces the risk of expensive repairs.

At Eden, our experience shows that long-term solar performance required regular (inexpensive) maintenance and reliable aftercare.

Daily Monitoring and System Alerts

Commercial solar installations can be monitored via online portals specific to the components installed. It is essential that these platforms are monitored closely as system alerts appear.

The O&M team at Eden monitor all contracted systems thoroughly and maintain close communication with manufacturers and specialist technicians to assist with alarms, diagnostics, and any on-site issues. This proactive approach ensures faults are identified and resolved promptly, helping to maintain consistent energy output.

Annual Health Checks and Inspections

Annual system inspections are a key part of maintaining your solar investment. These checks typically include:

• Performance testing of inverters and panel strings

• Visual inspections of wiring, isolators, fuses and safety devices

• Checks for corrosion, structural damage, or loose mountings

• System grounding and compliance verification

• Drone footage to assess panel condition, roof access, and potential shading issues

• Recommendations for panel cleaning and surrounding foliage cutting to optimise system performance.

Each annual inspection is followed by a comprehensive performance report. This details any faults, degradation, or safety risks, and provides tailored recommendations for corrective actions.

Cleaning Solar Panels for Optimum Output

Over time, dirt, dust, bird droppings, moss and other debris can accumulate on solar panels, reducing their efficiency by up to 10%. In certain locations, such as near busy roads or agricultural sites, cleaning may be needed more frequently.

At Eden, we assist with the process of coordinating panel cleaning with trusted companies following an annual inspection or underperformance investigation. This ensures panels remain clean and clear of debris, supporting consistent energy generation and extending the operational life of your system.

Reactive Maintenance and Fault Resolution

Despite the durability of solar equipment, occasional faults can occur. Common issues include inverter malfunctions, damaged wiring, or cracked panels. Reactive maintenance involves callouts to investigate and resolve these problems as they arise.

Eden provides a two-year workmanship warranty with all self-funded projects, covering any issues related to the original installation. For daily monitoring, system support and maintenance, our clients can opt into an O&M contract which includes fault diagnosis, repairs, system resets and engineer call outs.

The Role of Design and Installation Quality

A well-designed and professionally installed system is naturally easier to maintain. Poor design, incorrect component placement, or inadequate structural assessments can all lead to ongoing issues.

At Eden, our engineers tailor every installation to the specific requirements of the building, energy profile and site conditions-ensuring high-quality results and reduced future maintenance needs.

Powering a more sustainable future.

Commercial solar panels are a dependable and efficient energy solution for UK businesses-but like any infrastructure, they require regular care to deliver long-term value. With the right maintenance-such as monitoring, cleaning, inspections and professional support-your system can remain safe, efficient and cost-effective for decades.

Whether funded via a self-funded model or using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Eden’s tailored Operations & Maintenance (O&M) packages provide everything you need to protect your solar investment and secure reliable performance over its full lifespan.

Talk to us

If you’re thinking about making the switch to a more sustainable energy future, then contact us via our website and we’d love to help you unlock the benefits.