Maintenance of Solar Power Generation｜Thorough Explanation of Importance, Frequency, and Cost Estimates!

When introducing solar power generation, it is essential to consider not only the initial costs but also the effort and expenses related to maintenance.

That said, many people may wonder, “What kind of maintenance is required for solar power generation?”

In this article, we will explain in detail the frequency, costs, and importance of solar power maintenance. To utilize solar power effectively and generate electricity steadily over the long term, please be sure to check this out.

Reasons Why Solar Power Maintenance is Important

When implementing solar power generation, regular maintenance becomes very important. The reasons for this are as follows:

・Maintenance inspections are mandatory
・It helps prevent accidents
・It extends the lifespan
・It maintains power generation capacity

Let’s take a closer look at each of these points.

Maintenance Inspections are Mandatory

Until now, maintenance for solar power generation was only mandatory for “commercial” use. However, with the revision of the FIT law in 2017, maintenance also applies to residential systems that utilize the FIT system.

Since residential solar power systems often use the FIT system, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity purchase for 10 years, it is safe to say that maintenance is essentially required. Please be aware that neglecting maintenance may result in the cancellation of FIT certification.

It Helps Prevent Accidents

Solar power generation offers significant environmental and economic benefits, but neglecting maintenance can lead to accidents.

Solar panels and power conditioners are consumable devices that deteriorate over time, so regular and thorough maintenance is necessary.

If maintenance is neglected for an extended period, you may not notice equipment malfunctions or failures, which could lead to accidents such as fires, so caution is required.

It Extends the Lifespan

All equipment surrounding solar power generation, including solar panels and power conditioners, are mechanical products that deteriorate over time.

By performing maintenance, you can slow down the rate of aging, allowing for longer and more comfortable use.

In particular, solar panels can last over 30 years if properly maintained.

Conversely, if no maintenance is performed at all, there is a risk of failures or malfunctions occurring before the end of their lifespan, or a significant decrease in power generation efficiency, so please be cautious.

It Maintains Power Generation Capacity

Solar power generation is a device that collects sunlight and converts it into electricity, so it will generate power as long as it can capture sunlight, even if left unattended.

However, if there are any malfunctions or failures in the related equipment, including the panels, the power generation efficiency will drop significantly.

This would result in reduced self-consumption of electricity and decreased income from selling electricity, making it difficult to feel the benefits and cost-effectiveness of implementing solar power generation.

By performing regular maintenance, you can keep the related equipment in optimal condition, making it easier to maintain high performance.

What is the Frequency of Solar Power Maintenance?

To operate solar power generation, regular maintenance is indispensable.

However, many people may wonder, “How often should maintenance be performed?”

Here, we will explain the frequency guidelines for daily inspections and regular inspections in detail.

Frequency of Daily Inspections

It is recommended to conduct daily inspections of solar power generation approximately once every three months.

Generally, these inspections involve simple tasks such as checking the exterior, which can be done by yourself.

When conducting daily inspections, focus on the following points:

[Daily Inspection Checkpoints]
・Dirt on solar panels
・Condition of fallen leaves and snow
・Cracks or breaks in solar panels
・Looseness of frames and mounting hardware
・Wiring issues
・Unusual sounds or smells from the power conditioner
・Abnormal display on the power generation monitor

If any of the above items apply, it is important to consult a professional as soon as possible.

Frequency of Regular Inspections

Regular inspections of solar power systems involve thorough inspection work that cannot be performed during daily inspections.

The recommended frequency is at least once every four years.

While regular inspections must be requested from a professional, they can focus more on the “Daily Inspection Checkpoints” mentioned earlier, making it worthwhile.

However, the appropriate number and frequency of regular inspections may vary depending on the manufacturer and installation environment, so be sure to confirm this in advance.

Costs of Solar Power Maintenance

Daily inspections that you perform yourself will cost you 0 yen if no abnormalities are found.

However, for “regular inspections” that require professional assistance, there will be some costs involved.

While costs may vary slightly depending on the presence of faults or issues and the contractor you choose, generally, you can expect costs to be around 20,000 to 40,000 yen.

Additionally, if any equipment faults or issues are found, repairs or replacements may be necessary, which could incur additional costs of several tens of thousands of yen, so be sure to budget accordingly.

Contents of Solar Power Maintenance

When requesting maintenance for solar power systems from a contractor, the following tasks are typically performed.

・Cleaning of solar panels
・Visual inspection
・Electrical inspection
・Weed cutting around the area

Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Cleaning of Solar Panels

Solar panels are devices that capture sunlight and are arguably the most important equipment in solar power generation.

If dirt accumulates on the panels, it can block sunlight and reduce power generation efficiency.

In some cases, power generation efficiency can drop by 5 to 20%, so cleaning must be done thoroughly.

If you hire a professional, skilled workers will carefully clean the panels using specialized equipment and chemicals.

Visual Inspection

A visual inspection involves checking the solar power system area with the naked eye.

They will carefully check for looseness of bolts, rust, damage, and dirt, which helps in the early detection of issues.

If the solar power system is installed on the ground, you can perform some inspections yourself, but this is not the case for roof installations.

Therefore, if you have solar power installed on your roof, it is recommended to request an inspection from a contractor.

Electrical Inspection

During an electrical inspection, specialized measuring equipment is used to check for electrical abnormalities in the solar power system.

This inspection can detect internal issues and slight performance declines that are difficult to find visually, making it an essential part of regular inspections.

Some may wonder, “Can’t I do this myself?” However, electrical inspections require specialized qualifications, such as being a licensed electrician, so it is advisable to hire a contractor.

Precision Inspection

A precision inspection involves more detailed inspection work using infrared cameras and other tools.

This method visualizes the temperature distribution of solar panels to detect anomalies like hot spots and has gained attention in recent years, with drone-based inspection services using infrared cameras becoming increasingly popular.

It can inspect areas that are not visible to the naked eye or are physically difficult to check, so if you want to keep your solar power system in optimal condition, consider this option.

Weed Cutting Around the Area

If solar power is installed outside of the roof, weed cutting around the area is often performed.

If tall grass grows, it can block sunlight, affecting power generation.

At the same time, it is necessary to address these issues properly, as they can potentially lead to neighborhood troubles or even fires.

While you can do grass cutting yourself if you want, there are areas that may be inaccessible. Therefore, if you want to thoroughly remove the grass, it is recommended to hire a professional service.

Points to Note When Performing Maintenance on Solar Power Generation

The points to note when performing maintenance on solar power generation are as follows.

・Hire a professional service
・Prepare documents in advance
・Obtain estimates

Let’s take a closer look at each of these points.

Hire a Professional Service

For solar power generation maintenance, it is generally advisable to proceed by hiring a contractor.

While you can perform simple daily inspections yourself, more comprehensive maintenance requires specialized knowledge and equipment, making it essentially impossible to do it by trial and error.

Additionally, there are risks such as falling or electric shock, so to ensure a safe and reliable inspection, we strongly recommend hiring a contractor.

Prepare Documents in Advance

When requesting maintenance from a contractor, be sure to prepare the following documents in advance.

・Warranty and instruction manual
・Panel layout diagram (wiring circuit diagram)
・Completion inspection report
・Previous inspection report

Having these documents will facilitate smooth communication from the meeting to the work.

Obtain Estimates

When requesting maintenance for solar power generation from a contractor, be sure to obtain estimates from multiple contractors.

As mentioned earlier, maintenance for solar power generation incurs some costs, but the specific costs vary by contractor.

While there is a general market rate, costs can differ depending on the contractor you choose, so it is important to obtain estimates from multiple contractors and compare total costs and service contents.

If you decide on a contractor without obtaining multiple estimates, you may later regret it by thinking, “Maybe I overpaid…” so please be cautious.

After-Maintenance and Warranty from Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.

After-Maintenance from Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.

If you are considering the installation of solar panels, please consult Kakeru Koumuten!

Our company handles a wide range of exterior renovations, including solar panels, roofing work, and exterior wall work in Aoba-ku, Yokohama.
We receive many requests from customers, including renovation companies and real estate agencies!

Kakeru Koumuten promises “high-quality renovations at low costs”, and we have received positive feedback from numerous customers.
We continue to update our construction performance records every year and will strive to improve quality to satisfy even more customers in the future.

“I want to know about recommended solar panels“, “I want to keep costs as low as possible“, “I just want an estimate for now“, we provide optimal solutions for specific requests.
We will never propose unnecessary work that prioritizes profit!
We always stand in our customers’ shoes and propose the best construction plans!

We are confident that we will not be outdone by other companies in terms of cost, quality, and efficiency in exterior work!
We welcome competitive estimates with confidence!

Summary

To use solar power safely and for a long time, maintenance is necessary.

Maintenance includes two types: daily inspections that you perform yourself and regular inspections that you request from a contractor. If you are utilizing the FIT system, “regular inspections” are mandatory.

Neglecting regular inspections can lead to the cancellation of FIT certification, resulting in significant losses, so caution is required.

That said, there are several contractors that handle solar power maintenance, and since costs and service contents vary, it can be confusing to decide where to consult.

In such cases, please feel free to consult with “Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.” which operates mainly in Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo.

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For roofing, guttering, and exterior work and repairs in Kanagawa, contact Kakerukoumuten Co., Ltd..

AAA is a young company with an average age in the early 20s, but our technology is second to none.

One of our greatest strengths is that we can do all of our own scaffolding, roofing, and painting work. In this industry, where work is generally divided, we are able to provide a complete set of services, which saves time and effort in management and reduces costs. Above all, if there is any trouble, we will come to you right away!

We can confidently declare this. We are the youngest and most friendly renovator in Kanagawa!