When solar panel repair is needed—and when it’s not

Solar is a significant investment, so it’s natural to worry if you notice a drop in electricity production. The good news? Solar electricity generation fluctuates with the seasons, so most production dips are normal. But if you notice a persistent issue, you’ll want to ensure your equipment works properly. 

For most homeowners, their solar panels themselves require almost no attention over their decades-long lifespan. The rare issues that do occur typically arise during installation, and the only regular maintenance they may need is an occasional cleaning—often just a couple of times a year, if that.

“Solar panels don't really go bad. Sometimes you may pull it out of the box and it doesn't work, but that's about it. Very seldom have I seen a solar panel go bad once it’s installed,” Duane Wright, president of Fused Solar and Roofing, told EnergySage. “As long as it rains enough to remove bird droppings, dust, and pollen, that’s pretty much all the maintenance needed.”

Inverters, on the other hand, are another story: They’re commonly the real suspects for solar panel system issues.

While solar panels themselves are remarkably durable, your solar inverters are more likely to require repairs or replacements. If you notice a sudden dip in production, it’s often due to an inverter issue likely caused by overheating, electrical surges, or improper installation. Fortunately, these problems are usually straightforward to fix.

What is a solar inverter?

Solar inverters are responsible for turning the energy generated by your solar panels into usable electricity for your home and appliances. Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, while your home uses alternating current (AC) electricity. Inverters are the middleman: They convert DC electricity to AC electricity, enabling you to harness solar power for your home. 

Microinverters vs. string inverters

There are two main types of solar inverters: String inverters and microinverters. A string inverter is a centralized inverter located at ground level that converts electricity from multiple panels, sometimes the entire system. It’s the more affordable option, and maintenance is typically easier and cheaper. However, string inverters are less efficient than microinverters and can make expanding your system tricky.

Microinverters convert electricity at the panel level and are usually more efficient than string inverters. Each panel has its own inverter mounted on its back, which enables panel-level monitoring and optimization, but that also makes them harder to maintain and repair.

“Most maintenance we do involves replacing or repairing microinverters. If you have 25 microinverters on a 25-panel system, there are 25 fault points, and they’re underneath the panels on the roof,” Wright explained. “With string inverters, there's only one fault point, and it’s at ground level.”

For starters, remember that not every dip in production signals a problem. Solar panels generally produce less energy during the cloudy winter months and more during the sunnier spring and summer—seasonal fluctuations are completely normal and to be expected.

Most solar panel systems include a monitoring system accessible via a smartphone app. These apps let you see real-time energy production and often send alerts if your system isn’t performing as expected.

If you receive an alert or notice that your system isn’t producing as much as it should for the season, it’s best to contact a professional certified by your manufacturer to troubleshoot the issue. Tampering with your solar equipment yourself can be dangerous and may void your warranty.

What if your solar installer goes out of business?

Your original installer should be your first point of contact for any maintenance or repair needs. However, some companies may not stay in business for your solar panel system's entire 25-year lifespan—especially given the expected impact of recent federal policy changes on residential solar installers. If your installer closes its business, you’ll need to find another company to repair your system. 

Orphaned solar panel systems

As the solar industry reacts to policy changes and economic headwinds, more companies are offering operations and maintenance (O&M) packages for “orphaned” systems, a term for solar setups left without an installer. When selecting a new solar company, the most important thing to confirm is whether or not that company is certified by your equipment manufacturer to work on your system. Any work done by an uncertified company can void your warranty, so start your search by contacting your manufacturer. They can often recommend local companies authorized to work on your system. If you do any work on your system yourself, you could also void your warranty, so make sure to read the fine print.

How much any potential solar panel repair will cost depends on your manufacturer’s warranty: Most cover the parts necessary for repairs, but only some pay for the labor required to service your system. For example, Tesla’s standard warranty covers labor costs for its inverters; Enphase’s does not. Those labor costs are on you if you need to repair or replace your Enphase microinverters. 

Labor costs will vary depending on the service company and the type of work you need done. As Wright mentioned, repairing a microinverter on top of a roof is a much different job than troubleshooting a string inverter in a garage. But in general, expect to pay around a couple of hundred dollars for a service visit if your equipment warranty doesn’t cover labor.

The reality is that solar panels are built to last, often for decades, with minimal intervention for repairs or maintenance. Seasonal changes or inverter issues cause most production dips—not the panels themselves. By monitoring your system, cleaning occasionally, and relying on certified professionals for repairs, you can keep your solar investment running smoothly for years to come.

If you see a drop in solar production, don’t panic. Check your monitoring system, understand the seasonal context, and contact your installer or manufacturer-certified technician. As long as you keep an eye on them, solar panels are a reliable, low-maintenance way to harness the sun’s energy.