Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance: Post-Summer Checklist

Summer in Australia can be a double-edged sword for residential solar panels. While the long, sunny days provide plenty of solar energy, the season also brings dust, pollen, coastal salt, and the occasional storm—all of which can leave a mess on your panels.

As the sunny season has come to an end, a bit of solar panel maintenance is essential to improve solar panel efficiency, extend its lifespan, and maximise solar savings throughout the cooler months. This article offers a practical post-summer solar care checklist to help you maintain system performance and solar energy output well into winter.

Why Post-Summer Checks Matter

Okay, so you have a fully functional solar panel system with home battery storage that provides you with a reliable supply of clean, solar energy to power your essentials. It’s been working perfectly well throughout the summer season, so why is it important to check the solar system? There are a few key reasons:

Efficiency Loss

Dirty solar panels might look harmless, but the grime from summer’s dust storms, bird droppings, and salt spray can drastically cause panel efficiency loss. In fact, even just a light layer of pollen or soot can block sunlight and lower your solar energy output, leading to energy waste and lost savings—and you won’t even notice this until your next electricity bill. That’s why solar panel cleaning importance can’t be overlooked.

Safety Hazards

Safety is another reason why it’s important to check your solar system post-summer. Aussie summer can be harsh—the prolonged heat and summer storms can worsen electrical faults, downgrade wiring, loosen fittings, or even damage isolator switches, which, according to the Clean Energy Council and Energy Safe Victoria, is a common solar panel fire risk. This makes performing a solar system safety check imperative after summer. This will also help you identify potential hazards ahead of time, protect your home, and keep your solar system compliant with Australian solar standards.

Longevity

If you want to get the most out of your investment and enjoy the benefits of solar energy for a long time, solar panel maintenance is essential. Regularly checking and maintaining your panels don’t just boost their performance—these practices also prolong solar panel lifespan. Say dust and debris for example—these can build up and cause hot spots, while unchecked faults can cause massive strain on your panels in the long run. Investing time and effort in caring for them now means there will be fewer replacements in the future.

DIY Cleaning vs. Professional Servicing

Curious about maintenance and wondering how to clean solar panels safely? You’re on the right page! There are generally two ways: DIY cleaning and professional servicing. Some people opt for DIY, but there are also benefits to professional solar maintenance.

DIY Solar Panel Cleaning

If solar maintenance cost is an object, you may DIY. As the name suggests, DIY solar panel cleaning is something you do by yourself. This type of gentle panel cleaning is best done every six months for solar panels that are safely accessible, like those in a single-story building or the ones with a minimal tilt. This will ensure your panels stay clean and efficient.

To do this, use a soft brush or sponge, purified water (to avoid mineral residue), and some mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals and pressure washers, and clean them during peak sunlight hours, as cold water on hot panels may cause thermal shock. Roof safety is also a critical concern when cleaning your solar panels by yourself. It’s better to stay grounded or call in the pros. If you’d rather DIY, be sure to use a sturdy ladder and avoid climbing onto the roof without proper fall cushioning.

Professional Solar Panel Cleaning

Another way to maintain solar panels is through professional solar panel cleaning. Now, while this can be a bit expensive, scheduling a solar inspection service after summer is still a smart move.

It involves hiring an expert cleaner who can ensure your panels are thoroughly cleaned without any risks to your safety. They can reach tricky spots, use the correct tools, and even identify problems like micro-cracks, loose cables, or hidden corrosion. This way, you can detect issues and action them early on.

Hire a Clean Energy Council accredited installer who is trained to safely clean and inspect your solar panels—these two are often bundled together as one routine solar panel service. We recommend doing this every two years to maintain warranty and performance.

Post-Summer Solar Panel Checklist

To simplify your solar panel maintenance, here’s a checklist you can use as a guide:

Cleaning

Dirty solar panels can lead to unnecessary energy loss, so it’s important to clean them once summer ends so they can work just as well in the cooler seasons. Here are some things to remember when cleaning them:

Solar panel debris removal is important, so inspect your solar panels for any dirt, dust, bird droppings, or leaf buildup.

Clean solar panels as needed using safe DIY methods (if applicable) or booking a professional cleaner.

Visual Inspection (From the Ground if Possible, or by Professionals)

A visual inspection not just of your solar panels but the entire location is also necessary to make sure they are in proper working condition. Here are some areas to check:

Check for obvious damage like cracks, chips, or discolouration on your solar panels.

Inspect the mounting hardware and confirm that all the panels are securely fixed and there are no loose clamps or bolts.

Check solar panel wiring for any damaged, frayed, or exposed cables, and if there are any, report them to a professional for fixing.

Clear out any debris under or around the panels that could cause shading or be a fire hazard.

Check the surrounding area for any solar panel shading issues from new tree growth and schedule trimming if necessary.

System Performance Check

Of course, technical issues may arise. System performance monitoring is just as essential. Here are some things you can check:

Monitor solar output via the inverter display or the data shown by the smart monitoring app if you’re using VoltX Energy solar panels. Look for any sudden dips or error messages.

Compare your current readings with last season’s and see if there are any issues.

Solar inverter check is also important, so listen for any abnormal sounds and check the warning lights or screen messages for any errors that can be fixed.

Professional Maintenance Items

For smooth and hassle-free solar panel maintenance, we recommend hiring a licensed expert to do the following professional solar maintenance items:

✔ Check the solar system components

✔ Inspect isolators and other electrical safety gear

✔ Ensure inverter fault logs are reviewed

✔ Verify that the air vents are clean and unobstructed

Remember, for anything involving electrical testing or roof access, it’s ideal to seek help from an accredited solar electrician.

Power Smarter, All Year Long

Post-summer solar panel maintenance isn’t just good practice—it's essential if you want to keep your solar system efficient, safe, and long-lasting. Regular cleaning, inspecting for damage, and monitoring the output will ensure you’re getting the most out of your panels even when the sun isn’t shining as strongly as in the summer. Book a solar service with a professional to maximise your solar investment.

For homeowners looking to install an efficient solar panel system for their homes, VoltX Energy is a great choice. Explore our range and get the best power solutions that are guaranteed to run efficiently all year round.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should solar panels be cleaned?

It’s ideal to clean your solar panels every six months, especially after summer when dust and grime tend to build up.

Can I clean solar panels myself?

Yes, if they’re safely accessible. Use soft brushes, mild soap, and purified water; never use harsh chemicals or climb the roof without proper safety precautions.

What are signs my solar panels need maintenance?

Reduced energy output, visible dirt, or warning lights on your inverter are a few of the telltale signs that your solar panels need maintenance.

Is professional solar panel cleaning worth it?

Yes, pros can thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas safely and check for issues like cracks or corrosion without risks to your safety.

Does cleaning improve solar panel performance?

Absolutely! Clean solar panels absorb more sunlight, which helps maximise your energy savings.