A Practical Maintenance Checklist for a Solar and Battery System
A solar system keeps working quietly, which is why small problems go unnoticed. Here is what is worth checking, and what to leave to a technician.
Why a quiet system still needs looking at
Panels, inverters and batteries have no obvious moving parts, so it is easy to assume nothing needs attention. In practice, dust, loose connections, shading from new growth or construction, and ageing batteries all reduce output gradually, and the first sign is often a bigger-than-expected generator or grid bill.
What you can check yourself
Look at the monitoring app or the inverter display regularly, so you know what normal looks like for your site. A sudden drop on a clear day, an error code, or a battery that no longer carries the evening load are all worth reporting.
From the ground, check that panels are free of heavy dust, bird droppings and leaves, that nothing new is casting shade on the array, and that cables and enclosures look intact. Never climb onto a roof or open an enclosure to investigate: that is a job for a qualified technician.
What is better left to a technician
Inspecting connections and fixings, checking protective devices and earthing, testing the battery bank against its expected performance, and reviewing inverter settings all involve live or hazardous equipment. A scheduled visit also gives a baseline to compare against over time.
When to call sooner
Burning smells, visible damage, a swollen or hot battery, repeated tripping, or an inverter that keeps shutting down are not things to wait out. Switch off what you safely can, keep clear of the equipment and contact a technician.
Scope a job with our team
Tell us what you need built, fixed or installed. We’ll look at it properly and come back with a scoped assessment.