Having a solar power system installed at your home is a sizeable investment. While you are sure to recoup the cost over time due to your lessened dependence on grid-provided power, there are some ongoing costs that you must factor in, so you enjoy many years of trouble-free solar power. Just as you take your car to the garage every 5,000 miles or so for service, you should also make sure to keep up with solar power maintenance.

Most solar power installers recommend that your system be inspected and serviced at least once per year. During this solar power maintenance service call, you can expect the following:

• Your panels will be inspected.
• All connections will be inspected and secured if needed.
• Roof penetration points will be checked for possible leaking and resolved if necessary.
• All the solar electrical components, including the solar breaker, solar inverter, conduit and fittings, and grounding, will be checked.

The solar panels themselves generally do not require much attention. Other than making sure none are damaged and keeping dirt, grime and debris off of them, they are pretty maintenance-free. It is the rest of the visit that is the most vital, and that goes beyond what you would want to handle on your own. If you will be hiring a company for solar power maintenance, be sure to choose a company with technicians that are properly trained and experienced with solar power systems. They may also be able to make repairs if your solar power system is having performance issues.