Solar panel maintenance and system troubleshooting

What is the warranty period on my solar system?

Solar panels and battery installation from RACV has a 10-year warranty. Each of our partner brands also offer industry-leading warranties on their hardware that makes up part of your solar system.

Do solar systems need much maintenance?

Solar systems require very little maintenance. Pruning nearby trees so they don't shade your solar panels is the most common maintenance task you'll need to do.

How do I clean solar panels?

Rainwater will clean panels adequately in most cases, and good-quality hardware installed correctly will last in the elements.

That said, it's a good idea to have your solar panels regularly checked during drier months. Over time they may collect dust, debris or bird droppings. Built-up dirt can reduce electricity production.

How do I check my solar system is working?

The easiest way to check if your solar system is working is to look at the solar inverter (the box on your wall). Green lights or a screen showing power output are good indicators that the system is working. However, this is only confirmation the system has no major fault, not that it is performing well.

On the other hand, red lights or an error on the screen can be signs of a problem. Another way to check is to look at your power bill to see if you are feeding in power.

What happens to my solar system if there's a blackout?

Australian standards require that grid-connected solar systems shut down in the case of a blackout. This is to prevent power from flowing back into the grid and posing a risk to electrical workers who may be fixing the problem.

Many newer solar battery systems can operate in a blackout by first 'islanding' the whole system and the house from the grid.

Once grid power is restored your solar power system will automatically reconnect and resume normal operation.