In this day and age of renewable energy, solar panels are becoming more and more of a mainstay for homeowners that are interested in switching from fuel power. However, they should keep themselves aware of all the other costs that may come along with installing this source of energy. Installation of solar panels, on average, will probably cost between $15000 to $32000, depending on the kind of system that the homeowners are searching for.
However, the cost range to perform maintenance, inspection, and cleaning for your solar panels will probably be around $150 to $700. Individually, you’ll be looking to spend about $5 to $35 to clean each panel. Homeowners should expect other estimates to be calculated into the overall cost, so don’t expect to only spend the miniscule end. There are quite many factors that will affect the overall costs. For example, you should assess the amount of kilowatts operating within the system, how many panels are installed in the house, and the difficulty of moving around the location or the accessibility to the panels.
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Solar Panel Inspection & Maintenance Service Cost
Within the two-year range is the timespan that you should consider the full maintenance and inspection of your solar panels. To maximize the efficiency and capacity of your solar panel system, you need to maintain the validity of your panel’s condition. A 10-panel 2 kW system is typically installed on a one-floor property and the estimated range that homeowners should expect from the maintenance could possibly go from $300 to about $700.
An inspection for the system will estimate between $150 to $300. Homeowners should make sure to have their solar panels inspected, at the minimum, every twelve months. If the homeowner fails to do so, they may as well be throwing their money into a pit of fire. This is because the readings in your electricity bills may not be concordant with the actual energy being used.
Common Issues You May Encounter
A specialist will be able to check your system and see if there are underlying issues that may be causing any undetected faultiness. There can be nine common problems that could potentially be affecting your solar energy. All the while, you may not have the knowledge that would probably resolve the issue at hand.
| Common Problems | Reasons |
| Delamination/Internal Corrosion | Too much moisture inside the panels |
| Electrical Issues | Faulty wiring, oxidation, etc. |
| Micro-cracks | Weather or seasonal conditions |
| Hot Spots | Warm environmental indicators |
| PID Effect | Partial voltage discharge |
| Avian Involvement | Bird interference |
| Snail Trails | Snails or paste-like material |
| Roofing Problems | Shape of roof or upper portion of home |
| Inverter Troubleshooting | Durability and age of inverter |
If any of these problems have been found by the inspector, you should take the measures to have them settled. Professional solar repair services will help you with any dysfunctions that you may be experiencing, so long as the inspection is carried out thoroughly. Although, the condition of one’s solar panel system will ultimately rely on upkeep.
Solar Panel Cleaning Service Cost
The effects of your home’s environment and surroundings are what can and inevitably will drive up or down these costs. In any case, what matters most is living around a space that has excessive fluctuations in the climate. There are two methods into charging homeowners for a cleaning service. For the flat rate, you’ll be looking to spend about $130 to $150 for a 32 panel system. This cleaning session will probably take about one and a half to two hours. Any more than that will cost up to $2.50 per additional panel.
There are a number of reasons as to why these costs can vary, which includes the following: stories of home, type of roof, and the setup that the system was installed in. These factors will inevitably affect your overall cost range. If you’re curious as to what your estimate will most look like, you’ll probably want to call up your cleaners and ask them for a more precise calculation.
You should also think about the scheduling and timing of your cleaning professional. If the area your home is located in is prone to wetness, the evaporation rate will be unpredictable. Professional solar panel cleaners will give you an accurate scheduling for your appointment so that they can get the job done during a cloudy day. Environments with too much sunlight can cause stains, while environments with too much sunlight can cause accidents.
With all parameters considered, your professional cleaner will come into your home and use a soft brush to remove dust and debris. Once that’s taken care of, they’ll use clean water and polish the panels with a sponge. Solar panels are sensitive to chemical agents so your specialist will solely use water so that your panels will have nary a scratch or damage done to them.
Advantages To Cleaning Your Solar Panels
You may not see the benefits of cleaning your panels, but there are actually many advantages to doing so. By keeping your solar panel system in a clean state, you’ll basically be eliminating the percentage of having issues with your electricity. Residentially, the efficiency and performance rate of your solar panels system can increase by 21 percent. For commercial systems, this number can even go up to 60 percent.
There are many other solar panel companies that will provide homeowners with warranties but these warranties can really only apply to solar panels that have been properly cleaned. Warranties can become null and void if there is no actual sign of cleaning involved. Like most insurance policies, if your belongings were damaged or malfunctioning due to issues caused by similar circumstances, they won’t reassure you with any replacements or reparations.
Keep in mind that rainwater isn’t the way to properly clean solar panels either. It’s the same logic as cleaning your car with the elements. You’ll see spots, blemishes, and stains if you choose not to hire a professional cleaning crew for the task. The most beneficial aspect to having your solar panels cleaned is the expectancy and durability. Accumulations of particles can lead to worsened solar absorption, ultimately resulting in the decrease of power.
Remember, the reason you installed these solar panels was to cut costs in electricity, support renewable energy, and improve your home’s value. Solar panels are an investment and to ensure your finances are sustained, you’ll want to continue cleaning your system. Statistically, you’d be surprised to know that your typical solar panel system will increase 20 percent of your returns throughout the first year.
Efficiency Growth
Improper cleaning or having the task done yourself can, in fact, decrease the efficiency of your solar panels by 30 percent. As a result, you’ll see an uptick in your utility bills, which will have completely ruined the point of having the system installed in the first place. One session with a solar panel cleaning service can actually make all the difference. Since it’s a yearly custom to have the panels cleaned, it’s actually quite affordable and takes less time than your average home renovation project. The benefits of keeping the efficiency of your solar panel system intact with maximum volume is the amount of energy you'll potentially be able to use, as it's capacity increases.
Professional Equipment & Tools
The main reason why you’d want to contact a professional company is because of all the equipment and tools that they’ll have for the job. Due to the sensitivity of your solar panels, professionals will have specialized brushes that have soft bristles to avoid scratching any surfaces. In fact, the cleaning specialists will have their own variations of soap to maximize the cleaning process. Regular soap and chemicals will have altering effects and distort your panels.
The reason why your roof slant and height of your home affects the costs to the cleaning session is precisely because of the safety that a cleaning technician will provide you. It’s the security and well-being of your solar panels that the service keeps in mind. The cleaner will also bring a proper soft and dry cloth to make sure that no minerals will set into the panels either. This way, when the unit is turned back on, your panels will stay dry, rather than retain any moisture that might cause further repercussions down the road.
Cleaning Water
Depending on your location, the professional will typically have the right sets of knowledge on the water being used. It’s integral to keep all of the different properties of the cleaning water in mind. To avoid using the improper water that could leave your panels with additional plight, your cleaner will acknowledge your water’s mineral content.
Since hard water will not be filtered, it can actually leave molecular water spots, resulting in stains being left on the surface. Mineral residue can eventually disrupt the sun’s rays, causing a blockage in energy absorption. The expert you decide to hire will most likely use a standard garden hose to flow the water onto the solar panels. Your professional will examine the water carefully and create accurate preparation for the water they’ll ultimately use to clean your solar panels.
Solar Panel Repairing Service Cost
Depending on what the main cause for concern is, homeowners will expect to pay about $100 to $3000. There are various reasons as to why you’ll need a professional repair service to fix the varying components of your solar panel system. If neglected, the result can potentially end with electrical shortages, a decrease in power output, and shockingly, house fires. An annual inspection will be able to hone and determine what kind of hindrances your system is dealing with.
| External Obstruction | $100-$200 |
| Loose Wires | $100-$400 |
| Weather Damage | $120-$500 per panel |
| Cracked Glass | $120-$500 per panel |
| Rust | $150-$350 |
| Cracked Pane | $150-$500 per panel |
| Voltage Issues | $400-$3000 |
| Dysfunctional Inverter | $500-$3000 |
| Leaks | $1200-$1500 |
As briefly mentioned, there are quite a few concerns to keep a watchful eye on. But should these faulty errors occur, you should quickly hire the right professional for the job. Although you may have to rectify a few things and some stressful situations will be costly, replacements will give you even more of a headache.
Solar Panel Replacement Service Cost
If repairs haven’t ensured proper solar efficiency, you might have to check whether you need a replacement or not. The expected lifespan of a solar panel system is about 20 years, although, if complications arise and it’s too late to get it fixed, you’ll be expected to spend about $15000 to $21000. Although newer models will have more advanced proponents to them in the future, you may have to patiently wait for around 50 years.
And whether you’re having them repaired or replaced, you’ll be expected to pay a range between $2000 to $3000. It’s quite unfortunate but if you want to avoid having to pay these expenses, you’ll want to keep your solar panels cleaned and inspect them annually. Certain repercussions can be quite unexpected, but to minimize the risk of having to replace and repair your solar panel system, perform an inspection.
Find Multiple Estimates Through House Tipster
To ensure that your solar panel system is kept up to date, any of these reasons can validate the usage of House Tipster. Whether you need a professional for cleaning, repairing, or replacing your solar panels, our web tool can provide you the right kind of services in your area. You’ll find all your needs in a matter of minutes. We don’t only include the professionals that you require, but also reviews to make sure that you have the best of the best available to your home.
Using our chat system allows you to message directly to your professionals. If you have any inquiries, appointment questions, or you require more information on the business, you can efficiently correspond with your preferred specialists. Homeowners want affordability and expertise when it comes to the tasks that need to be done for their properties. So find your professionals through our website and leave some reviews for our professionals.
Featured Photo By Vivint Solar On Unsplash
