Solar Panel Servicing and Maintenance
Nothing’s wrong, and you’d like to keep it that way? An annual health check for solar PV and battery systems from any installer.
Servicing you can rely on
- MCS registered
- NAPIT registered
- TrustMark approved
- Any installer’s system
- In-house engineers
Call us on 0800 156 0191
Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
Is a service right for you?
Your system hasn’t been checked since it was installed
You’ve bought a home that already had solar panels
Your installer no longer exists, so no one is looking after the system
Generation seems a little lower than it used to be, but nothing is obviously wrong
Your insurer, or a buyer’s solicitor, has asked about the system
A battery has been added and you’d like the whole system checked
There’s been a storm, roof work or bird activity around the panels
What a service includes
A service is a thorough inspection and electrical test of the whole system, not just a look at the panels. Every service covers:
1
Panels and fixings
A visual inspection of the panels, frames, mounting and roof fixings, as far as they can be seen safely.
2
Cabling and isolators
Checks on DC and AC cabling, connectors and isolators for damage, water getting in, or signs of overheating.
3
String tests
Voltage and current tests on each string, compared with what the panels should produce.
4
Insulation resistance
Tested on the DC side of the system.
5
The inverter
The error log, operating readings, firmware and ventilation.
6
Generation meter
A generation meter reading, compared with the output the system should be achieving.
7
Protective devices
The protective devices for the solar circuit in the consumer unit.
8
Battery
Where one is fitted: operating status, charging and discharging, and any warnings from the battery management system.
9
Monitoring
Confirmation that the monitoring app or portal is connected and reporting correctly.
10
Service report
The results of every check, written up for you.
Why servicing matters
Generation
Small faults — a loose connector, a string that’s dropped out, an inverter that keeps disconnecting — can quietly cut your output for months before anyone notices.
Safety
Damaged DC connectors and isolators can overheat. Testing finds them before they become a problem.
Insurance and warranties
Some insurers and manufacturers expect a system to be maintained. A service record is useful evidence if you ever need to make a claim.
Selling your home
Buyers’ solicitors often ask for the MCS certificate, feed-in tariff paperwork and evidence that the system works. A recent service report provides that evidence.
How often should a system be serviced?
For most homes, once a year is sensible. Older systems, homes near the coast, and roofs where birds are a problem can benefit from closer attention, and we’ll advise you after the first visit.
What the service report looks like
You’ll get a written report setting out the readings we took, the condition of each part of the system, and anything we noticed. It separates what needs attention now from what’s worth keeping an eye on, and it’s written so you can understand it without being an electrician.
If we find a fault during a service
We explain what we’ve found and what it means, and give you a clear written quote before any work starts. Repairs are carried out by the same in-house engineers — see solar panel repair and inverter repair for how we approach them. We install our own systems too, so we know how these systems fail and what to look for.
A service doesn’t normally include cleaning the panels, but if they’re heavily soiled — bird droppings, moss or lichen — we can add a solar panel clean to the same visit.
Why L&R Renewables
Any installer’s system
Whoever fitted your system, and whether or not they’re still trading, we can service it.
Certified, in-house engineers
We’re MCS and NAPIT registered and TrustMark approved, and we don’t subcontract.
Repair specialists
Diagnosing and fixing solar systems is our core business, so we know what early warning signs look like.
England, Wales & Scotland
We cover England, Wales and Scotland.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar panels really need servicing?
Solar systems are low-maintenance, but they’re not no-maintenance. Faults in connectors, isolators and inverters often don’t show until output has already dropped, and a regular check catches them early. It also gives you a record of the system’s condition, which helps with insurance, warranty claims and selling your home.
My installer has gone bust. Who services my system now?
We do. We don’t need the original installer’s involvement, and the service report gives you an up-to-date record of the system.
How long does a service take?
It depends on the size of the system and whether there’s a battery. We’ll give you an idea of how long to allow when we book the visit.
Do you need to go on the roof?
Many of the checks are carried out at the inverter, isolators, meter and consumer unit. If something points to a problem on the roof, we’ll explain what’s needed to inspect it safely before any roof work goes ahead.
Will a service affect my panel or inverter warranty?
An inspection and test by a qualified engineer shouldn’t affect a manufacturer’s warranty, but terms vary between manufacturers, so it’s worth checking your warranty documents. A record of maintenance can also help if you ever need to make a claim.
Can you service my battery as well as the panels?
Yes. Where a battery is fitted, we check how it’s operating, charging and discharging, and look for any warnings from its management system as part of the same service.
Related pages
Solar panel repair
Diagnosis and repair for the whole system, from any installer.
Solar inverter repair
Error codes, red lights and inverters that keep switching off.
Solar panel cleaning
Safe, professional cleaning with a system check included.
Book a service
Use the form below: choose “Nothing obvious, I’d like it checked” as the first answer, leave your details, and we’ll call you back to arrange a visit. Prefer to talk? Call 0800 156 0191, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm.
Solar fault finder
What’s happening with your system?
What make is your inverter?
Roughly how old is the system?
Where is the property?
Leave your details and we’ll be in touch to book your initial visit.
We’ll ring you to talk it through and arrange a convenient time. Your answers above go with your enquiry, so you won’t have to repeat them.
We’ll talk through what’s happening and book your initial visit. If it’s urgent, call 0800 156 0191.
Rather talk now? Call 0800 156 0191 — free from UK landlines and mobiles.
You can also reach us through our contact page.