If you already have solar panels on your roof, you have taken an important step towards lower electricity bills and reduced reliance on the grid. But installing solar panels is only the beginning.
Like any electrical system, a solar PV system needs occasional attention to make sure it continues to work as expected.
Many homeowners assume that once solar panels are installed, they will perform at their best forever. In reality, performance can change gradually over time, often without obvious warning signs. A professional solar panel health check is designed to identify issues early and help your system continue delivering long term benefits.
At Viable Power, we regularly speak to homeowners across Surrey and Hampshire who are surprised to learn their system is no longer performing as efficiently as it once did. In many cases, a calm and methodical review of the system highlights straightforward reasons for the change in performance. A clear, practical solar system health check often provides the answers.
What Is a Solar Health Check?
A solar health check is a detailed inspection of your solar PV system. It looks beyond the panels themselves and focuses on how every part of the system is working together.
A professional solar health check typically includes:
- A visual inspection of the solar panels to check for dirt, damage, shading or signs of wear
- Checks on mounting systems to ensure panels remain secure and correctly positioned
- Inspection of DC and AC cabling for wear, damage or loose connections
- A review of inverter performance, error codes and operating history
- Analysis of generation data against expected performance
- Checks on isolators and safety equipment
The aim is simple. To confirm your system is operating safely and generating as much electricity as reasonably possible.
Why Solar Systems Lose Performance Over Time
Solar panels are built to last, often with performance warranties of 25 years or more. However, that does not mean output always stays the same.
Some of the most common causes of reduced performance include:
Dirt and Debris Build Up
Over time, dust, pollen, moss and bird droppings can build up on the surface of solar panels. Even a thin layer can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the cells. This is especially common on lower pitched roofs or properties close to trees or farmland.
Shading Changes
Trees grow. New buildings go up. Extensions and dormers are added. Shading that did not exist when your system was installed can develop gradually and significantly affect output.
Inverter Issues
The inverter is the heart of your solar system. It converts electricity from the panels into usable power for your home. Inverters work hard and usually have a shorter lifespan than panels. Faults, software issues or ageing components can all reduce performance.
Electrical Connection Problems
Cables and connectors are exposed to heat, cold and weather changes year after year. Small issues such as loose connections or damaged insulation can reduce efficiency.
Monitoring Problems
Sometimes the system is working but the monitoring is not. Faulty monitoring can mask real performance issues or give the impression everything is fine when it is not.
How a Solar Health Check Could Save You Money
A solar health check is not about finding faults for the sake of it. It is about protecting the financial benefits of your system.
Maintaining Electricity Generation
If your system is underperforming, you may be using more electricity from the grid than necessary. This means higher energy bills than expected. Identifying and resolving performance issues helps ensure your system is generating as much usable electricity as possible.
Protecting Export Payments
Many homeowners receive payments through the Smart Export Guarantee for electricity exported back to the grid. If your system is not performing as it should, exported electricity may be lower than expected.
Avoiding Larger Repair Costs
Small issues are usually easier and cheaper to fix when caught early. A loose connection or declining inverter performance can often be addressed before it develops into a more serious fault requiring costly replacement.
Extending Equipment Lifespan
Solar panels are designed to last for decades. Other components, such as inverters and isolators, may need attention sooner. Regular health checks can help extend the working life of these components by addressing issues early.
Signs Your Solar System May Need a Health Check
Some issues are subtle, but there are common warning signs that suggest a health check would be worthwhile.
You may want to arrange a check if:
- Your electricity bills have increased without a clear reason
- Your monitoring app shows a drop in generation compared with previous years
- Your inverter displays warning lights or error messages
- You have experienced power outages or electrical issues linked to the system
- You can see visible dirt, damage or shading on your panels
- Your system has not been checked since installation
- Your Home Insurance provider in some cases may ask for this to be completed
- You are moving into a property that has a solar system installed
Even if none of these apply, a periodic inspection still provides reassurance that everything is working as it should.
How Often Should You Have a Solar Health Check?
There is no single rule that suits every property or solar panel installation. As a general guide, many installers recommend a professional solar panel health check every one to three years for domestic systems.
You may benefit from more frequent checks if:
- Your system is over five years old
- You rely heavily on daytime solar generation
- Your property is surrounded by trees or prone to debris build up
- You have battery storage alongside your panels
A local installer with experience of domestic solar systems can advise on the right inspection schedule based on your system design, roof type and household usage.
What You Can Check Yourself Between Inspections
While a professional inspection is important, there are simple checks you can safely do yourself.
- Keep an eye on your monitoring app and note any sudden changes
- Check your inverter display occasionally for warning lights
- Look for obvious shading or debris on panels from ground level
- Be aware of unusual electrical behaviour in your home
If something does not look right, it is always best to seek professional advice rather than ignore it.
Why Choose a Trusted Local Installer
Not all solar health checks are the same. Experience, local knowledge and clear communication all matter when assessing system performance.
A local solar panel installer in Surrey or Hampshire will understand the roof types, planning considerations and weather patterns common in the area. This makes it easier to assess whether solar panels in Surrey and Hampshire are performing as expected, or whether local factors such as shading, debris or roof orientation are affecting output.
Many homeowners arrange a solar panel health check years after their original solar panel installation, often following changes to their property or rising electricity bills. Having the system reviewed by a trusted local installer helps connect current performance back to how the system was originally designed and installed.
As a local installer serving Surrey and Hampshire, Viable Power works with a wide range of domestic solar systems. We focus on clear explanations, practical advice and honest assessments. Our aim is to help you understand your system, confirm whether a solar system health check has identified any genuine issues, and explain your options in plain language.
Get a Solar Panel Health Check From a Local Trusted Installer
If you are unsure how your system is performing, arranging a professional solar panel health check is a sensible and straightforward next step.
Many homeowners reach this point after reviewing their original solar panel installation, noticing a gradual drop in generation or simply wanting reassurance that everything is still working as it should.
Choosing a local solar panel installer in Surrey or Hampshire means working with someone who understands local roof types, installation standards and environmental conditions. That local experience is particularly valuable when carrying out a detailed solar system health check, as it helps identify issues that may be specific to the area.
A thorough solar panel health check can confirm that your system is operating safely, producing electricity efficiently and continuing to support lower electricity bills over the long term.
At Viable Power, we provide clear, straightforward assessments with honest feedback and no pressure. We explain what we find, how it relates to your original solar panel installation, and whether any action is genuinely needed.
If you are looking for reassurance, clarity and expert guidance, getting a solar panel health check from a trusted local installer is the right place to start.
At Viable Power, we provide clear, straightforward assessments with honest feedback and no pressure. We explain what we find, how it relates to your original solar panel installation, and whether any action is genuinely needed.
Our solar panel health check is £195 + VAT. To book, you can contact us
