| In This Guide: This article explains after-sales support from solar panel companies, including performance monitoring and maintenance, to help you choose the right provider for your solar energy investment. |
Solar systems are major investments with the potential to save homeowners money on their power bills for decades. When solar companies begin the installation process, homeowners must make many important financial and logistical decisions, often focusing on savings projections and warranty information. However, homeowners should also be aware of the monitoring, maintenance, and repair services available through their provider’s after-sales support.
Post-installation solar services can change the long-term value of your solar investment, so you need to know what to expect before you sign. Experienced providers may offer their support plan upfront with their performance and cost assessment to help homeowners manage their long-term goals, even after their system has been installed.
Why After-Sales Support Matters in Your Solar Investment
Solar panel systems are designed to be effective for 25 years or more, but they still require oversight. Over time, issues can arise with inverters, electrical systems, and simple wear and tear. Even changes in external conditions can impact energy production.
For example, a new structure or tree could block the system and reduce its output. In Maryland, seasonal weather changes also create a frequent need for reassessment and maintenance. Temperature, humidity, tree growth, and roof conditions can each impact the effectiveness of your solar panels in different ways.
As a homeowner, you may not realize your solar panels are underperforming until you see your energy bill. After-sales support gives you access to a knowledgeable team and service options from your installer so you can fix the problem before it impacts your finances.
Types of After-Sales Support
“After-sales support” can involve multiple types of maintenance, depending on your needs. These support types can include:
Routine System Maintenance Visits
Routine solar system maintenance and monitoring can help homeowners confirm that their panels, inverters, wiring, and equipment hookups are working. The provider may conduct a visual inspection of the panels, monitoring tools, and electrical components to identify signs of wear and tear. This also allows them to check for pests, debris, and environmental changes that can impact performance.
Routine maintenance can be even more important after a major weather event, which can damage the panels or change the sun and shade conditions on the roof. When speaking with your solar provider, ask how often they recommend routine system inspections and whether they are included with your system agreement or as a separate add-on service.
Solar Panel Performance Monitoring
Solar panel monitoring gives homeowners insight into the system’s energy production and helps providers make sure the installation is working as expected. The data collected can include dips in recorded energy production (measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh) that the provider can address before they impact your energy bill. For example, an inverter fault or an electrical communication issue can be fixed. Even a piece of debris that has fallen on the array can impact efficiency.
Ask potential providers whether remote performance monitoring is included in your after-sales support, including who reviews the data and how the provider will respond if the panels underperform. Many providers use a monitoring app to track output throughout the month.
Solar Warranty Claim Assistance
Solar panel warranties can include manufacturer, inverter, labor, or performance warranties. Different providers will offer different after-sales warranty support, but the warranty itself is not the only after-sales support providers can offer. With warranty claim assistance, solar companies can help you determine whether your warranty applies in a certain situation, which documents you need, and what steps you should take to communicate with the manufacturers.
The right warranty claim support can separate dependable providers from less reliable ones. Here are some sample warranty claim questions to ask potential providers to learn more:
- What warranties are included with my solar panels?
- Does your team help with manufacturer warranty claims?
- Who do I contact if the system stops working?
- Is a labor warranty included?
The way a provider responds can help you select dependable companies that support their customers beyond the installation process. Solar panel installations are significant investments that need to be supported clearly throughout the lifetime of the system, not just until the initial installation is complete.
Partner With a Maryland Solar Company for Full Solar Panel Support
At Energy Select, our team of installers provides a complete solar panel installation process from start to finish, including after-sales support. Our team is here to answer your questions about anything related to your new solar panels, including warranty claim information, routine maintenance schedules, and performance monitoring procedures. We provide same-day pricing information on your solar panels to make sure you’re always informed about your options before finalizing your investment.
Get an instant estimate with your solar assessment today to learn more about our solar panel systems, including the after-sales support you can expect moving forward.