We also do Solar HEAT - Find Out More
Solar panels are built to last, but they still need looking after. At Solar PV Tech, we carry out solar panel maintenance across Devon, West Somerset and North Cornwall, covering domestic, commercial and agricultural systems. We have been installing and servicing solar PV since 2010, so our engineers know these systems inside out. They also know what the Devon weather does to them.
Whether your generation has dipped, your inverter is showing a fault code, or you simply want to know the system is safe, we can help. We look after roof-mounted and ground-mounted installations, including systems we did not install ourselves. Call us on 01769 560715 or arrange a service below.
Solar PV is low maintenance. It is not maintenance-free. Dirt, moss and lichen build up slowly. Connections work loose. Inverters age. None of it is dramatic, and that is the problem, because most faults show up as a gradual drop in generation rather than a system that stops dead.
A single under-performing panel or one loose connection can cut output by 10% or more. Across a year, that is real money off your savings. Regular solar panel maintenance catches these issues while they are still small and cheap to put right. It also protects your cover, as some manufacturers ask for periodic professional checks as a condition of the warranty.
There is no single answer, because it depends on where you are and what surrounds the array.
Most homes in Devon are fine with a clean every 12 to 24 months, or sooner if you can see dirt on the panels or notice output dropping. Rain does much of the work on a pitched roof. If you are near farmland, a dusty lane, heavy tree cover or an industrial site, every 6 to 12 months is more realistic. We clean using de-ionised water, which lifts grime without leaving residue and without the risks that come with pressure washing.
A visual check every one to two years is sensible. That means looking over the panels, mounting hardware and any visible wiring for wear, bird mess or lichen. Beyond that, book a full professional service every three to five years. That is when we test electrical safety properly, check inverter performance, and look for micro-cracks or water ingress that you would never spot from the ground.
Every service follows the same thorough process, whether it is a four-panel domestic array or a barn roof:
You finish with a clear picture of how the system is performing and what, if anything, needs attention.
Not every job is routine. Sometimes something has gone wrong and you need it found quickly. Solar panel maintenance is not always planned, and our engineers trace faults across the whole system rather than guessing at the obvious culprit.
Problems we deal with regularly include cracked or delaminated panels, failed optimisers, faulty DC isolators, water ingress at connectors, damaged cabling and birds nesting under the array. We find the cause, explain it in plain terms, then quote for the repair before any work starts. No surprises on the invoice.
The inverter is the hardest-working part of any solar PV system, and it rarely lasts as long as the panels. If yours has failed, or it is nearing the end of its life, we can recommend, supply and fit a replacement that works alongside your existing array. Most swaps are completed in a single visit, so you are back to full generation quickly.
We provide planned solar panel maintenance contracts for commercial solar PV systems across Devon, West Somerset and North Cornwall. Contracts can include access equipment such as scaffolding or a cherry picker, so larger and higher installations are serviced safely and to standard. If your inverter has failed or panels have been damaged, we can recommend, supply and install compatible replacements that work with your existing system, restoring output with minimal disruption.
We are based at Weirmarsh Farm in Umberleigh and cover Devon, West Somerset and North Cornwall. That includes Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Crediton, Okehampton, Holsworthy, Tiverton, Exmoor, Taunton and Bude, along with the villages and rural properties in between. If you are not sure whether you fall inside our patch, give us a ring and we will tell you straight away.
If your home, business or farm needs solar panel maintenance, servicing or a repair, our team is ready to help. We will check the system properly, tell you exactly what we find, and get it generating as it should.
We recommend a professional service and clean every four to five years. However, systems showing reduced performance or inverter warnings should be checked sooner.
Yes. Dirt, algae, bird droppings, and salt deposits can reduce efficiency over time. Professional cleaning using de‑ionised water restores output without damaging panels.
Common signs include lower energy generation, inverter fault codes, warning lights, or visible damage to panels or cabling.
Yes. We service and maintain most existing solar PV systems, regardless of the original installer.
Absolutely. We provide tailored maintenance contracts for commercial and agricultural installations, including large ground-mounted arrays.
Yes. Inverters are critical to system performance. A failing or underperforming inverter can significantly reduce energy generation and should be checked promptly.
