Your first year with solar
The system is up. Here is what normal looks like, so you can tell when something is wrong.
The short version
- • Note your output on the first few clear days. That is your baseline.
- • Dust costs more than people expect. Rinsing is the main maintenance.
- • June often makes less than March, because heat lowers panel output.
Most people ignore the system until a bill looks wrong.
A little attention in month one gives you a baseline, and a baseline is how you spot a problem while it is still small.
Week one
- Install the inverter app and note the output on the first few clear days
- Write those numbers somewhere you will still have them next year
- Photograph the panels, the wiring and the inverter
- Keep the invoice, serial list and warranty together
A rough number to check against
One kilowatt of panels makes about four units a day across the year. So a 5kW system lands around 20 units on a good day. If clear days are far below that, and nothing is shading the panels, raise it with your installer while the warranty is fresh.
Why June makes less than March
This surprises everyone. Panels lose efficiency when they get hot, and a rooftop in June is very hot. Add dust and haze, and peak summer often produces less than clear spring days.
Meanwhile your usage is at its highest, because the AC is running.
So the month with the biggest bill is the month your system covers the least of it. That is normal.
Maintenance is mostly rinsing
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Rinse the panels | Every few weeks in dusty months |
| Compare output with your baseline | Monthly |
| Check for new shade from a growing tree | Twice a year |
| Check the fixings before monsoon | Yearly |
Do not clean panels in the middle of a hot day. Cold water on hot glass is a risk, and a wet roof at noon is a bad place to stand.
If output has dropped and you want another company to look, send your details once.
Ask for a second opinion