If your business has already invested in commercial solar panels, or you’re considering making the switch, you’ve likely done the maths on cost savings and energy efficiency. But to keep those numbers working in your favour long-term, it’s important not to overlook one key thing – commercial solar maintenance.
While solar panels are famously low-maintenance, that doesn’t mean no maintenance. Like any commercial asset, a little care goes a long way in ensuring everything continues to run smoothly, efficiently and safely.
Here’s what you need to know about maintaining your commercial solar system and how SWH can help, whether we installed your system or not.
Are solar panels really that low maintenance?
In short, yes. Commercial solar panel systems are built to last, with minimal upkeep. There are no moving parts, and quality systems are designed to withstand the UK’s unpredictable weather, be it wind, rain, or the occasional surprise heatwave.
That said, to get the most out of your investment and keep your system running at peak performance, a proactive maintenance plan is recommended. It’s not just about preventing faults; it’s also about optimising your energy yield, extending the life of your equipment and ensuring compliance with any manufacturer’s warranties.
Why maintenance matters
All solar systems can lose efficiency over time if not properly maintained. Common issues include:
- Dust, dirt, bird activity (nesting/soiling) or debris reducing panel efficiency
- Loose connections or corroded wiring affecting energy transfer
- Inverter faults or warning signs being missed or ignored
- Degradation in panel performance going unnoticed until it hits your bottom line
For commercial premises, whether it’s an office block, factory, retail site or warehouse, these issues can translate to lost energy savings and avoidable repair costs. Routine inspections and servicing make sure small issues don’t snowball into major problems.
What’s involved in a commercial solar maintenance plan?
At SWH, we offer flexible maintenance options for commercial solar systems, designed to keep your setup in the best condition with minimal disruption to your operations.
Our typical maintenance service includes:
- Visual inspection of all panels, mounting systems and cable containment
- Testing of inverter performance and output
- Electrical safety checks across all system wiring and connections
- Monitoring system checks – reviewing your data for anomalies or dips in performance
- Reporting and recommendations, with any remedial work outlined
Didn’t get your panels from SWH? No problem.
We’re happy to maintain and service systems installed by other providers. Whether you’ve inherited a solar installation as part of a commercial property purchase or your original installer is no longer around, we can step in and take it from here.
Our team of accredited solar electricians are experienced with a wide range of system types, inverter brands and monitoring software. We’ll assess your current system and offer a straightforward maintenance solution to suit your business and your budget.
How often should maintenance be carried out?
For most commercial systems, we recommend a professional inspection and service once a year. However, higher-usage systems or those with a significant number of panels may benefit from more frequent checks, especially if you’re in a high-pollution area (such as city centres or industrial parks) or near the coast, where salt and debris can accumulate more quickly.
We also suggest keeping an eye on your system’s monitoring data throughout the year. Any unexplained drops in performance, warning lights or inverter messages are signs it’s time to give us a call.
Peace of mind
At SWH, we understand that for businesses, time is money, and downtime needs to be avoided. That’s why our maintenance services are efficient, reliable and designed to minimise disruption. We’ll agree on a time that works for you and ensure any work is carried out safely and professionally by our certified team.
We’re also big on transparency – if something needs fixing, we’ll explain why, provide clear costs upfront and make sure you’re comfortable with what’s needed before going ahead.
Let’s keep your solar working for you
If your business is already reaping the benefits of solar, regular maintenance is crucial to sustaining those savings for years to come. If you’re due for a routine service or concerned about how your system is performing, get in touch.
With SWH, you’ve got a local partner you can rely on – whether you’re powering a single industrial unit or a portfolio of properties across the North East.
