Maintenance & lifespan, 45 tools
What will your solar system cost to keep running?
Panels degrade slowly, inverters wear out faster than panels, and storms cause real repair bills. These tools put numbers on cleaning, inspection, repair, and replacement costs over the life of your system.
Start here
The tool most people run first
Degradation and output
How much power your panels lose over time
Cleaning
Is cleaning your panels worth the cost
Component lifespan
How long each part of your system actually lasts
Damage and repair
What it costs when something breaks
Monitoring and inspection
Catch problems before they get expensive
Warranty value
Is the warranty or the extension worth it
Long-term cost planning
Budget for the full life of the system
Mount type
Maintenance costs by how your system is mounted
End of life and upgrades
When it's time to retire, recycle, or repower
Questions
Frequently asked
Most homeowners spend $150 to $400 a year on routine solar maintenance, mostly cleaning and an occasional inspection. The annual maintenance cost estimator gives an exact figure based on your system size and local conditions. The savings calculator with maintenance costs included shows how that yearly spend affects your total return.
Most panels lose about 0.5% of their output every year, so a system rated at 100% in year one runs closer to 88% by year 25. The panel degradation calculator and 25 year degradation curve tool chart this decline for your specific panels. The Energy Information Administration's Solar Explained page gives background on how panel output is measured.
Yes. Most string inverters last 10 to 15 years, roughly half the 25 to 30 year life of the panels themselves, so a mid-life replacement is normal, not a sign of a bad system. See the inverter vs panel lifespan comparison for a side-by-side timeline. The inverter lifespan estimator estimates replacement timing for your inverter type and climate.
It depends on your local dust and pollen levels and how much you pay per cleaning. In most climates the output gain doesn't cover the cost of frequent professional cleaning. Run your own numbers with the cleaning ROI tool before scheduling a service. The Department of Energy's guide to operating and maintaining a PV system covers when cleaning is actually needed.