For commercial property owners across the UK, investing in solar panel systems is now seen as a cost-efficient way to reduce your energy bills and go green!
However, installation is only the first step to creating complete sustainability. Solar systems require regular maintenance and management to ensure they remain efficient, safe, and profitable over the long term. This means carrying out regular cleaning and inspections, monitoring panel performance, and managing warranty protection.
To ensure maximum protection on your investment, book an appointment with our solar panel experts today.
Commercial solar systems are high-voltage electrical installations that offer a sustainable energy solution for many UK businesses.
The photovoltaic installation involves exploring and designing specific solar system layouts, connecting inverters to the system, and integrating grids and batteries to support optimum energy consumption.
Due to the nature and complexity of commercial systems, it is essential that all installation and maintenance is carried out by certified professionals who will carry out site inspections and assessments to identify suitability, ensure safety and compliance with UK guidelines, install mounting systems and ensure correct placement of panels, carry out all electrical wiring, and perform testing on all equipment.
For expert advice and further information, contact a member of our team today.
What sets commercial solar panel systems apart is their size. These systems are much larger than domestic systems, they contain more electrical components, and systems require more maintenance that must be structured, professional, and detailed.
Solar panel system maintenance for commercial properties takes the form of cleaning, inspections, electrical testing, and monitoring.
All vital elements that help to maintain power generation, support the system’s longevity, and help with cost savings.
However, there are maintenance areas that can be carried out in-house to help maintain the integrity of your solar systems:
Removing dirt, debris and build-up that limits panel performance.
Detailed site checks of panels, mounts and surrounding structures.
Verifying connections, isolators and inverter health for safety.
Tracking panel output to spot drops in performance early.
Dirt and debris can and do build up in solar panels, which in turn reduces the output that is produced.
Some of the key issues to address include avoiding corrosion to structures, water reaching connectors, cable degradation, and battery damage, as these issues can lead to a complete breakdown in the system, and failures occurring.
However, if well-maintained, solar panels will last for decades.
Other issues you may encounter include:
Faulty wiring and loose terminals lead to power loss, arcing risk and potential fire hazards.
Inverters are the heart of your system — failures bring generation to a halt and erode ROI.
Micro-cracks, hotspots and soiling silently reduce output across your whole array.
Loosened brackets and wind damage compromise structural integrity and panel alignment.
Working with professional commercial solar panel installers and maintenance experts can help commercial businesses avoid unwanted downtime, meet all health and safety requirements, and help to keep warranties intact and insurances valid. To find out more about the services our team can provide, contact us today.
When carrying out any PV system maintenance, it’s important to follow set procedures and policies. Some of the main steps that maintenance can involve include:
Turning off and shutting down the inverter and isolator. This is a vital first step and must be done before any work gets underway. It’s also important that you follow the manufacturer’s shutdown procedures to avoid electrical shocks and to prevent any damage to equipment from occurring.
Carry out a visual inspection of the systems and panels, looking for any cracks, chips, or burn marks. On the mounting systems, look for any signs of corrosion or rust, loose bolts or brackets, and check all cabling.
Cleaning and maintenance can then begin with the removal of any dirt, debris, bird droppings, and moss build-up. We advise only cleaning using purified water, a low-pressure hose, and non-abrasive brushes to avoid scratching and damaging the panel’s surfaces. Avoid harsh chemicals as these can damage the protective coatings found on the panels.
It is also a requirement to carry out an electrical system check to ensure that all panels are working at their optimum performance levels. You must document and report all maintenance and cleaning that has been carried out, and record all results and findings.
Call our team of experts today to address the most common faults found on commercial solar PV systems across the UK.
We know that solar panel systems are a long-term investment for commercial businesses, and we understand that there is a significant importance placed on looking after these systems to ensure the financial return you are expecting.
That’s why we offer a range of operation and maintenance solar PV services to meet your exact requirements.
We know that unwanted faults or dirt in solar systems can reduce a panel’s efficiency and power generation by up to 20%!
That’s why we tailor our services to ensure that we help to extend the lifespan of equipment, protect your warranty, and continuously maintain safety standards.
Our services include:
Monitoring the power output of the string of panels built into the system, the output each produces, monitoring fault codes, and PV solar batteries.
Repairing any damage or replacing any pieces of equipment as required, and logging all information, dates, and times of checks and inspections. This is so you have a complete record to show you meet all compliance and health and safety requirements.
Regular cleaning and upkeep of the solar panels and structures helps the system to maintain and operate at its optimum performance levels. Ideally, we would recommend that cleaning be carried out every 6 months, although the frequency of cleaning should be dependent on the location of the solar panels and the environment in which they are placed.
Close examination of the panels will be carried out, checking the integrity of the mounting systems, inspecting all cables, and removing anything that could or is possibly obstructing sunlight. We will also ensure that electrical tests are performed on all components, and we will also use thermal imagery to identify any hotspots.
We know that unwanted faults or dirt in solar systems can reduce a panel’s efficiency and power generation by up to 20%!
At B-Engineering, we recommend carrying out a visual inspection monthly, continuous performance monitoring, panel cleaning every 6 months, inverter inspection and testing, electrical testing, mechanical checks, and cable and connector checks annually.
PV maintenance costs are dependent on the frequency of scheduled maintenance, the size of the system, and the complexity of the electrical output. At B-Engineering, we are transparent with all of our costs, and you will be provided with a full breakdown and quote for all work.
Solar systems need continuous care and attention in order for them to continue operating at their best. Not only does this help to reduce energy costs, but it also minimises downtime, which can lead to missed energy generation, leading to higher bills and potential financial losses. Maintenance ultimately helps to protect your investment, extending the equipment’s lifespan, supporting sustainability and net zero goals, and ensuring compliance with all warranties and insurance requirements.
At B-Engineering, our maintenance programmes are tailored to meet your requirements; however, as standard, we will carry out performance testing, thermographic inspections, electrical checks and testing, component testing, and we will carry out any repairs and replacements, providing you with full and detailed documentation and information for your records.
All engineers at B-Engineering are trusted, professional, and reliable. We have years of experience, and all of our team members are fully trained and qualified in the area of solar system installation and maintenance. Speak to our team today to book your service with our experts. Call 01925 551 516.
