The Good News: Almost Nothing
Solar panels have no moving parts. Nothing to oil, nothing to tune up, nothing to replace regularly. A well-installed system quietly makes power for 25 years or more with very little attention from you.
But very little
is not zero.
Here is the short list of what actually needs doing.
Cleaning: Let the Rain Do Most of It
Orlando's regular rain washes dust and pollen off your panels. For most owners, that is enough. Panels are tilted, so water runs off and carries grime with it.
A few times a year — especially after pollen season or a dusty dry spell — you can rinse them with a garden hose from the ground. That is it. Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive brushes, or a pressure washer. Plain water is all they need. And never climb on your roof to clean panels — it is not worth the fall risk for a tiny production gain.
If you notice bird droppings or heavy buildup on one section that rain is not clearing, a gentle rinse fixes it. If production looks fine on your monitoring app, cleaning can wait.
Monitoring: Your Early Warning System
Every modern system comes with a monitoring app that shows how much power you are making — usually panel by panel, in real time. This is your most important maintenance tool.
Get in the habit of glancing at it every week or two. You are not looking for exact numbers. You are looking for changes: a sudden drop, one panel producing far less than its neighbors, or days of zero production. Catching a problem in week one instead of month six saves real money.
Many systems also send automatic alerts for faults. Make sure your alerts are turned on and going to an email you actually read.
What to Watch For
- Sudden production drops. If output falls sharply on a sunny day, something changed — an inverter fault, a tripped breaker, or new shade.
- Inverter warning lights. Inverters have indicator lights or app alerts. Green is good. Red or flashing means call your installer.
- Growing trees. That small oak you planted five years ago is now shading two panels. Trim it before it eats your savings. Walk your yard once a year and look at the roofline.
- Critters. Birds and squirrels sometimes nest under panels. If you hear activity or see debris, ask your installer about critter guards — simple mesh barriers that solve the problem.
- Storm damage. After a hurricane, check your monitoring app and look at the array from the ground. See our hurricane guide for the full after-storm checklist.
What About the Inverter?
Panels last 25-plus years. Inverters usually do not last quite as long — the inverter is the one part you may replace once during your system's life. Budget for it mentally, and know that replacement is a straightforward job, not a system rebuild. Your monitoring app will tell you clearly when an inverter fails.
Warranties: Know What You Have
Keep your warranty paperwork where you can find it. You typically have three layers:
- Panel product warranty — covers defects and failures.
- Panel performance warranty — usually 25 years, guarantees minimum output over time.
- Installer workmanship warranty — covers the labor: leaks from mounts, wiring issues, and install defects.
If something goes wrong, call your installer first — even years later. That is what the workmanship warranty is for.
The Yearly 15-Minute Checklist
- Glance at your monitoring app for unusual drops.
- Look at the array from the ground for damage, debris, or new shade.
- Check that trees near the roofline are trimmed back.
- Confirm your monitoring alerts still reach your email.
- Rinse panels with a hose if pollen or dust has built up.
Fifteen minutes a year. That is the whole maintenance program.
Questions About Your System?
Whether we installed it or someone else did, we are happy to answer maintenance questions. Fill out our contact form — no question is too small.