One of the nice things about solar is how little it asks of you. Still, “almost no maintenance” is not the same as “none”. A few habits keep a system producing, protect your warranty and catch trouble early, and in a Canadian climate the calendar matters a little more than it does elsewhere.
Check the numbers, not the roof
Most modern systems come with a monitoring app or portal. Open it once a week for the first month, then every month or so. Panels degrade slowly, commonly about 0.4 to 0.6 percent a year, so you will not see wear in the data. You will see faults.
What you want to see is production that follows the weather: high on clear days, low on dull ones. You do not want long flat lines in daylight hours, or error and fault notices. If production suddenly drops while the weather is fine, that is your cue to investigate. Compare this month with the same month last year, since seasons confuse the picture. Our guide to how output changes by month helps you judge what is normal.
A seasonal rhythm
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring, after thaw | Look from the ground for damage from ice and snow slides, check the monitoring baseline |
| Early summer | Check for new tree growth casting shade, nests under the array |
| Autumn, before the first snow | Clear leaves and debris, confirm monitoring works, note the inverter display |
| After a major storm or hail | Look for cracked glass, shifted panels, loose wiring |
| Every few years | Book a professional inspection |
Look from the ground
Twice a year, stand in the yard with binoculars if you have them. Look for cracked or discoloured panels, loose or sagging wires, bird nests or heavy debris under the panels, shade from tree growth and anything that has shifted. Please do not climb up to check. The roof is where accidents happen, and an icy or wet one is worse.
Cleaning
In most of Canada rain and snowmelt do the work. Clean only if you notice a clear build-up of dirt, pollen, bird droppings, or ash after a wildfire smoke season, and only if you can do it safely from the ground. Use plain water and a soft brush or sponge on a long pole. Skip harsh chemicals, abrasive pads and pressure washers, which can void warranties. Clean early in the morning or on a cool day, when the surface is not hot. If in doubt, pay a professional. For winter, the advice is to leave snow alone, and to read about snow on panels before reaching for a tool.
For solar hot water systems
Thermal systems have a few more checks. Look at the pressure gauge, if there is one, and note whether it drifts. Listen to the pump: a steady hum is fine, a rattle is not. Check the tank and pipes for drips. Ask the installer how often the glycol should be tested or replaced, since it ages and loses its freeze protection. Have the sacrificial anode in the tank inspected on the schedule the manufacturer recommends. If you want to understand what each part does, see how solar hot water works.
Inverters age faster than panels
Panels often outlive their first inverter. An inverter lasts roughly 10 to 15 years, and microinverters are often warrantied longer. Know your inverter’s warranty end date and put a reminder in your calendar a year before it. That way a replacement is a planned expense, not a surprise. Our explainer on how long solar panels last goes through what usually fails first.
Annual professional visit
Some companies offer a yearly inspection. Even if you skip that, plan a professional visit every few years, particularly for thermal systems. A technician can check torque on connections, test safety devices and read the inverter’s logs. Certified equipment and licensed installers matter here, so keep the paperwork that proves it.
Insurance and records
Tell your home insurer about the system when it goes on, and ask whether it is covered under the dwelling policy or needs a rider. After hail or a falling branch, photograph any damage before touching anything, then call both the insurer and the installer. Dated photos and monitoring screenshots make claims much easier.
Keep a folder
Put these in one place, on paper or digitally:
- Contract and warranty documents
- Serial numbers for panels, inverter and tank
- Permit and inspection sign-offs
- The installer’s phone number
- Photos from installation day
You will want them for any warranty claim, an insurance question or the day you sell the house. A short read on solar panel warranties will tell you what to look for in them, including actions that can void cover.
When to call someone right away
A burning smell, scorching or visible sparks, water leaking from the roof near the equipment, a panel that is cracked, hanging loose or blown off, or an inverter showing a persistent fault code all call for a professional. Switch the system off at the main disconnect if you know how and it is safe, then call the installer.
If you are still planning, how to choose an installer covers who will service your system afterwards. More seasonal guidance lives in our cold climate and care hub.
Quick answers
How often should solar panels be cleaned?
Often never, if rain keeps them clean. Clean only when there is obvious build-up, and do it safely from the ground.
What should I do if my solar output suddenly drops?
Compare against the same month last year and the weather, check the monitoring app for faults and call your installer if the drop persists.