Operation & Maintenance
Keep your solar system working perfectly with Aussie Solar Tech’s affordable operation and maintenance services. We offer solar panel cleaning, inverter servicing, and system repairs Australia-wide.
Solar & Inverter Operation and Maintenance Services in Australia
The requirement for reliable and efficient operation of a solar power system arises with more and more Australian households and companies turning to solar power. Although the installment of a solar system is an outstanding step towards independence from energy and lower electricity bills, equally as important is its maintenance and operation in the future.
At Aussie Solar Tech, we specialize in providing professional operations and maintenance services to residential and commercial solar systems across Australia. In this extensive guide, we will be looking at why these services are needed, what they entail, and how routine maintenance will protect your investments, add life to your investment and save energy, giving you savings year after year.
What Is Solar Operation and Maintenance?
Operation and maintenance (O&M) refers to a series of routine tasks that are performed to make a solar energy system operate safely, efficiently, and reliably. Such services typically include solar system inspections, performance monitoring, cleaning of the solar panels, inverters’ servicing, and repair of the system if necessary.
While solar systems are generally low maintenance, Australia’s harsh weather, dusty atmosphere, salt air along the coastlines, and wildlife activity can all have some effect on your system’s operation over the long term. Without a formal operation and maintenance strategy, issues like reduced panel efficiency, inverter failure, or even safety risks may go unnoticed, costing you money and energy.
The Importance of Operation and Maintenance for Solar Systems
One of the benefits from investing in solar is not only the initial installation but also the entire safeguarding of that system for performance and reliability for years to come. This is what regular operation and maintenance services would do for you. They would bring a lot of benefits as:
1. Maximise System Efficiency
Dust, debris, and things like bird droppings and leaves can obstruct sunlight from reaching your panels, thereby decreasing their effectiveness. Cleaning the solar panels regularly ensures they operate at maximum capacity, thereby generating the highest amount of energy possible.
2. Extend System Lifespan
Like any electrical infrastructure, regular maintenance extends the functional life of your solar panels, wiring, and inverter. Scheduled inverter service and preventive maintenance prevent minor issues from becoming costly problems.
3. Maintain Warranty Compliance
Manufacturers require regular evidence of solar system inspection and maintenance as warranty support for their products. A professional maintenance program will ensure that your system remains in warranty for many years.
4. Ensure Safety and Compliance
Systems that are not maintained correctly develop faults in electricity and can cause fires. Professionally maintained systems guarantee that all connections, isolators, and safety features are functioning well in accordance with Australian standards.
5. Optimise Financial Returns
Routine maintenance services are what protect your investment and produce optimal energy efficiency to save costs on your electricity bill.
What’s Included in a Solar Operation and Maintenance Service?
Aussie Solar Tech provides custom operation and maintenance services for systems of all sizes and configurations. From rooftop residential systems to commercial solar arrays, from an off-grid power system to everything else in between, trained technicians cover all aspects of solar care.
Our comprehensive services include:
1. Solar System Inspection
A solar system inspection assesses the condition and performance of a solar energy system, identifying potential issues that could impact safety or efficiency. Inspections are typically performed by licensed professionals and may include visual checks of panels, wiring, and connections, as well as testing for proper operation. They can help ensure the system is installed correctly, complies with local codes, and is operating as designed. We check:
- Solar panels for dirt, damage, or shading
- Mounting systems for corrosion or structural issues
- Electrical cabling for signs of wear
- Isolators, breakers, and fuses for faults
- Earthing connections
- Inverter condition and performance indicators
2. Inverter Servicing and Troubleshooting
Inverter servicing and troubleshooting involve maintaining and repairing inverter systems to ensure they operate efficiently and reliably. This includes regular inspections, cleaning, and addressing any performance issues or error codes that may arise. Preventive maintenance, such as cleaning battery terminals and ensuring proper ventilation, can also help extend the inverter’s lifespan. Our inverter servicing includes:
- Cleaning inverter vents and fans
- Checking for error messages or warning indicators
- Performing firmware updates if necessary
- Running diagnostic tests
- Measuring AC and DC voltage and current
- Identifying and resolving inverter faults
3. Solar Panel Cleaning
Australia’s one-of-a-kind tropical climate makes solar power ideal. However, it also presents a plethora of maintenance challenges. These include extreme weather events like bushfires, high temperatures that reduce panel efficiency, strong winds, and hail. Dust, bird droppings, pollen, salt spray (especially common near the coast), industrial grime, and even bushfire ash can deposit on your panels. The less sunlight is absorbed by dirty solar panels, the less energy is produced and the higher the electric bill. According to industry data, the performance of solar panels can lower between 15-25 percent with surface grime and debris.
4. Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Our team performs performance assessments to compare the actual system output with what would be expected from specifications and local solar conditions. Any deviation found could indicate hidden issues that require addressing.
5. Preventive Maintenance
We perform proactive checks to detect early signs of wear or malfunction. This helps prevent expensive repairs and unexpected system downtime.
6. Solar System Repairs
Solar systems are an investment, and neglecting even minor faults will lead to bigger, more expensive problems. Cracked panels, faulty wiring, or inverters that are unable to efficiently convert energy are the most frequent problems. These faults lower the performance of your system and may even void warranties if left unrepaired on time. We have top-quality, authorized replacement parts for top brands and types of systems.
How Often Should Solar Systems Be Serviced?
To ensure safe and efficient operation, solar systems should ideally be serviced by a professional at least once a year. However, depending on the location of the system and conditions surrounding the property, there might be a greater need for maintenance checks. An accommodation near the coast with exposure to salt spray, or agricultural properties in dusty, rural, or bushfire-prone areas, may require service every six to 12 months. Large commercial systems, on the other hand, might need servicing every three to six months due to heavier workloads in order to maintain optimal performance. Regular servicing enhances the solar system’s efficiency, ultimately prolonging its life, maintaining the warranty, and catching minor problems before they become costly repairs.
The conditions influencing this optimal servicing frequency are:
- Location: Homes in coastal, bushland, or industrial areas may need more frequent solar panel cleaning and inspections due to salt, dust, or animal interference.
- System Size and Usage: Larger commercial systems or off-grid setups typically require quarterly performance checks.
- Warranty Conditions: Manufacturer warranties often stipulate annual maintenance for continued coverage.
Here’s a quick guide:
| Location | Service Frequency |
| Coastal areas (salt, sea spray) | Every 6-12 months |
| Dusty, or rural areas | Every 6-12 months |
| Residential | Every 12 months |
| Commercial and large systems | Every 3-6 months |
In Australia, the cost of operation and maintenance of solar and inverter varies greatly, but on average, a basic solar panel inspection and test by a professional will cost around $499. The cost of solar and inverter maintenance can vary depending on the size of the solar system.
Why Choose Aussie Solar Tech?
Aussie Solar Tech is a name synonymous with the reliability and integrity of the Australian solar industry. It specializes in high-quality, affordable and reliable operation and maintenance activities. Certified technicians use leading tooling and technologies to enable proper inspection, cleaning and maintenance of systems.
When you partner with us, you’ll enjoy:
- Competitive pricing with no hidden costs
- Fast, professional service
- Detailed performance reports
- Ongoing support and advice
Book Your Operation and Maintenance Service Today!
Never leave your solar savings in doubt! A clean, well-maintained solar system works wonders to bring you low power bills, top performance, and the utmost assurance that everything is safe and working as it should. Be it a residential or commercial endeavor; regular operation and maintenance are common-sense ways of protecting your investment and maximizing the returns from your solar panels.
We, at Aussie Solar Tech, make it easier for you! Our friendly local team will check, clean, and tune your system up so it can continue delivering clean, free energy for many years to come. We service and support all major brands and all homes and businesses right across Australia.
👉 For Book your operation & maintenance service today for stay ahead of costly repairs and power bill surprises, Speak with our experts!
FAQ: Solar Operation & Maintenance Service in Australia
Q: How often should solar panels be cleaned?
A: We recommend solar panel cleaning at least once a year, though homes in dusty, coastal, or high-pollen areas may benefit from bi-annual cleans.
Q: What happens if my inverter shows a fault?
A: Contact us immediately. Our technicians can diagnose and resolve most inverter servicing issues on-site, often within the same visit.
Q: Is solar maintenance covered under warranty?
A: No — system owners are responsible for operation and maintenance. However, keeping records of professional maintenance is crucial for warranty claims.
Q: How much does solar operation and maintenance cost?
A: Pricing varies depending on system size and location. Contact Aussie Solar Tech for a personalised, obligation-free quote.