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Regular maintenance essential to keep your solar power system in peak condition

Just like taking your car to the mechanic for a service, rooftop solar power systems need regular maintenance by a professional to ensure they deliver top performance for decades, the Clean Energy Council said today.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton said solar power is now helping millions of Australians save on their power bills, but people shouldn’t just put it on their roof and forget about it for the next 25 years.

“You wouldn’t drive your car around for two or three years without taking it in for a service at some point. The same applies to your solar power system if you want it to stay in peak condition. More than 5000 accredited solar installers are located all the way across the country and can perform regular inspections and maintenance to make sure the technology is performing well,” Mr Thornton said.

“Most solar power systems across the country are working well, but there will be some systems which are underperforming for different reasons.

“While the core components of solar systems are designed to function well for several decades, other components such as switches and cables will need replacement at different points in the lifespan of the system. Panels can also become covered in dust and bird droppings over time.

“People should also pay attention to the monitoring equipment that comes with their solar system and call a professional if they believe it is not delivering as much power as it should,” he said.

Every solar power system should come with documentation which is specific to the site, size and components of the installation. It will make recommendations about the frequency of maintenance.

Mr Thornton said home owners should ensure the installers they use are accredited with the Clean Energy Council to provide peace of mind that they are qualified to do the job.

“The solar accreditation scheme was first introduced by the solar industry decades ago and has been progressively upgraded and improved over this period, particularly in the last five years.

“Regulation of the solar industry has continued to evolve over the last decade, with a concerted effort from the industry and electrical safety authorities. Consequently the rate of serious incidents remains extremely low.

“The Clean Energy Council recommends that consumers purchase a solar power system from a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer. More than 50 companies have now met the requirements to be an approved retailer, which means they offer a minimum five-year whole-of-system warranty, offer excellence in customer service and follow ethical marketing practices. Currently we reject about the same number of companies as we accept into the program,” Mr Thornton said.

Please contact Clean Energy Council Media Manager Mark Bretherton on 0413 556 981 for more information or to arrange an interview.