From time to time I've opined that a gap must be opening up in the market for maintenance of solar systems. I'm not allowed up ladders anymore (three unexplained blackouts) so I can't even give my panels a good clean. Besides, there's a bit more to it than that. There's more and more systems, getting older and older (mine is nearly 5 years now) and what's a layperson to do?

Anyway, I have a team from my installer coming on Monday. They are going to clean panels, check all wiring between panels and inverter, run diagnostics on the inverter and battery.

I am not naming the installer because it is not yet clear to me if he provides this service only to sites he installed or more generally. I will clarify on Monday. Depending on uptake he may launch a product by which you pay a small monthly fee and they check your system over once a year.

I shall report back. The cash price is 2K - for cleaning and a report. I have asked them to do a small (they say) electrical job whilst they're here, and obviously they will charge separately for that.

Edited May 17, 20242 yr by Bobster.
Spelingg

OK. So the company is Solar4Life. They were just here. Cleaned panels, checked and retorqued the mountings, checked all the connections between  panels and the inverter and battery and inverter, checked the connections between the panels, did a thermal scan inside the main DB for hot spots (and found one - a loose connection on a timer switch). AFAIK they currently only offer this in Gauteng. The service is not limited to installations they have done. The price does not include any parts that have to be replaced.

Edited May 20, 20242 yr by Bobster.

This is a great idea. Currently, people are still installing, so smaller maintenance jobs, i.e., maintenance for smaller systems, are not being paid attention to.  In addition, small jobs including adding 2-4 more panels. My installer came to do mine, but it took several weeks. There is definitely a gap for that. I think as installation rates drop, most installers will start offering some maintenance of the systems they install or no longer find it such a huge inconvenience. My installer is nice and will come, but you have to wait and remind them.  How many panels did they have to clean? I am guessing the cost will have to relate to the size of the installation. 

Edited May 23, 20242 yr by Kory

5 hours ago, Kory said:

This is a great idea. Currently, people are still installing, so smaller maintenance jobs, i.e., maintenance for smaller systems, are not being paid attention to.  In addition, small jobs including adding 2-4 more panels. My installer came to do mine, but it took several weeks. There is definitely a gap for that. I think as installation rates drop, most installers will start offering some maintenance of the systems they install or no longer find it such a huge inconvenience. My installer is nice and will come, but you have to wait and remind them.  How many panels did they have to clean? I am guessing the cost will have to relate to the size of the installation. 

I have 12 panels. There are other services that just clean panels and usually charge per panel. These guys cleaned, checked the connections, checked the mountings and retightened where necessary etc. I asked. They said it's a flat 2 grand for the service.