Panels and mounting
Look for dirt, cracks, loose fasteners, corrosion, shading and water pooling.
Panel cleaning
Keep your solar panels earning their keep
Solar panels are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Dust, bird mess, pollen and salt can quietly reduce output, while unsafe roof access can turn a simple clean into a serious accident.
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How often?
Let the roof and the weather set the schedule
There is no universal South African cleaning calendar. In wetter areas, rain removes much of the ordinary dust. During a dry Highveld winter, in a dusty farming area, or near a gravel road, the film builds faster. Coastal homes can also collect salt and bird deposits. For many households, one or two cleans a year is a sensible starting point, with extra attention when the panels visibly soil or the monitoring app shows an unexplained drop in generation.
Cleaning will not fix a failed inverter, a shading problem or a damaged panel. Compare the generation you are getting with the weather and your normal seasonal output. If the numbers fall without an obvious reason, book a system inspection rather than repeatedly washing the glass.
Safe cleaning rules
- Clean early or late, when the panels are cool.
- Use clean water and a soft, non-abrasive brush.
- Never walk on the panels or lean a ladder on them.
- Avoid high-pressure washers and harsh chemicals.
- Stop if the roof, access or weather is unsafe.
- Have electrical faults handled by a qualified technician.
What maintenance covers
A clean is useful; a system check is more complete
Professional solar maintenance should look beyond the panel surface. A technician can inspect mounting and cable routes, check connectors and isolators, review the inverter and battery, test protection equipment, look for water ingress or storm damage, and compare the system's behaviour with its monitoring data. This matters for performance, safety and the practical evidence behind a warranty conversation.
Electrical equipment
Review the inverter, battery, isolators, surge protection, cabling and visible connections.
Performance data
Use the monitoring app and seasonal expectations to separate dirt from a deeper fault.
Existing Alumo systems can be routed for Alumo service. If you are considering a new installation, SolarGuide can also arrange a quote enquiry with Alumo or Wetility; maintenance inclusions vary by agreement and should be confirmed before signing.
Planning a new system?
Compare the care behind the quote
Ask who cleans, services and insures the system, what is included in the monthly amount, and what happens if the monitoring app shows a fault. Alumo and Wetility have different offers and terms, so treat maintenance as part of the total system value rather than a footnote.
Keep reading
Know the real running cost
Panel cleaning is usually a modest cost. The larger long-term questions are battery life, inverter cover, call-outs and what the finance agreement includes. Our maintenance guide lays out those costs and the places where a cheap installation can become expensive later.
Read the solar maintenance cost guide
Need service or planning a new install?
Tell us what is on your roof—or what you want to install—and choose an Alumo or Wetility quote route.
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–1pm · Free quote across South Africa