Solar Panel Maintenance Cost | Average Prices 2026

Solar panels are built to give you years of reliable service, but the truth is that they do need some maintenance to keep them at their best. In the UK, solar power is a top renewable energy option for homeowners looking to cut their carbon footprint and save on energy bills in the long term.

As time goes on, though, a layer of grime can start to build up - dirt, dust, even the odd bit of moss can stop your solar panels from generating efficiently. Inverters and cabling can need fixing over time, too.

The good news is that most solar panels are designed to last about 25 years, making them a pretty savvy investment for many families.

So how can we help?

Professional solar panel maintenance helps maximise performance, extend system lifespan and protect your investment.

In this guide, we break down solar panel maintenance costs in the UK and explain why routine servicing is key to getting the best return from your system.

How Much is Solar Panel Maintenance?

The cost of solar panel maintenance in the UK will typically range from £80 to £200 for a standard system servicing. The amount you pay will hinge on the level of service you need and the complexity of the job.

For example, a straightforward cleaning service on a single-storey property will be along the lower end of the pricing spectrum, whereas a full cleaning and inspection service on a large multistorey property will be much more expensive

There are several factors that will influence how much a solar panel maintenance service will cost, from the number of panels installed to the height and pitch of the roof, and whether there are any difficult access issues.

Location is also key, with prices for any trade work in the South East and in London much higher than the rest of the UK.

Some homeowners will opt to clean their own panels in a bid to save money, particularly if they are accessible from the ground, which is fairly rare, but not impossible. However, professional maintenance is always recommended, especially for panels on roofs.

Tradespeople will always have the proper safety and cleaning equipment, protecting themselves, your property and your panels. They can also do more proactive inspection work during the cleaning process, which can save you a lot of headaches down the line.

Solar Panel Maintenance Prices

As mentioned, the average cost for solar panel maintenance is between £80 and £200, depending on the level of service required.

Below is a helpful table that lays out the prices in different scenarios, to give you a better idea of what you may pay, based on the system you have and the service you require.

Routine maintenance is usually cheaper than one-off diagnostics or emergency repairs, and annual packages can usually offer better value for homeowners who are looking to budget long-term.

Scheduling an annual service or annual solar panel service helps manage solar power maintenance costs, ensures system reliability, and allows for early detection of issues, which can prevent more expensive repairs in the future.

Supply Costs for Solar Panel Maintenance

While the majority of the cost of solar panel maintenance is labour-based, there may still be some supply costs that will be included in the overall price.

Professional contractors will usually use specialist cleaning equipment and substances to properly remove all of the dirt and debris from the solar panels, crucially without scratching or damaging the panels in any way.

This can include:

• Purified water systems
• Loft brushes
• Non-abrasive solutions

It's important to use the right equipment, such as a soft sponge, and avoid high pressure, a power washer, or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the panels' surface and reduce their efficiency. Professional solar panel cleaning delivers safer, more effective results than DIY methods.

In some cases, there may be some minor replacement parts that can be completed during the maintenance that the contractor will have to hand.

This could be anything from mounting screws that have come loose or have become damaged, to clips, connectors and small pieces of cabling. These are very small and inexpensive repairs, but they are essential in the long term.

The rental or use of specialist safety equipment such as harnesses, ladders, or roof access systems may also be factored into the price, particularly for more complex jobs.

For professional maintenance, these supply costs are included in the fee, but if you plan on completing this job DIY, you will need to purchase all of this equipment, or you can damage yourself, your property and your solar panels.

Additional Costs for Solar Panel Maintenance

There are several different additional costs that may not be included in the standard solar panel servicing offered by your contractor. The first is access equipment for roofs that are particularly steep-pitched or high.

These include scaffolding, harnesses, mobile platforms and other equipment.

These costs will usually be charged separately and can increase the price of the job quite a bit.

The diagnosis of faults with the system, from inverters to battery storage systems, may also incur some additional fees, especially if there is electrical testing required.

Solar inverters and solar batteries are key components of a PV system that may require replacing components, such as installing a new inverter every 10 years to maintain conversion efficiency and system performance.

You should also consider any emergency or weekend call-out fees, and travel costs may also be additional to the cost of the service.

The removal of really stubborn debris, such as thick moss and bird droppings, due to a long time between services, can also increase costs due to the additional labour, but this will probably be highlighted during the quoting stage.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Solar Panel Maintenance

The labour-only costs for solar panel maintenance are usually charged on a visit basis, rather than by time. If you are looking for an hourly rate, you will likely pay somewhere in the region of £40-£70 per hour, which is fairly common for this type of work.

Of course, the total cost of labour depends on how intensive the job is and how many people will be required.

Accessibility of the solar panels is key here, and panels that are installed on particularly high or steep roofs will always incur more costly servicing rates.

Add to this the number of panels that are required to be cleaned, and the number of additional electrical and inverter checks that are required, as this will all extend the duration of the job.

For the majority of domestic solar panel systems, a standard cleaning and inspection is likely to be completed in around 1 to 2 hours.

A professional service will typically assess the whole system, including the solar PV system, to ensure optimal system performance during a maintenance visit.

For jobs that require more complex maintenance, such as minor repairs and fault-finding, this can take around half a day or slightly more to complete.

A leaking roof is a clear indicator that repairs or replacement may be necessary. Leaks can often be detected by stains or water damage on the ceiling, which are clear signs that repairs or replacement are needed.

After replacement, it's important to ensure the new roof is structurally sound to prevent future issues.

Cost Factors for Solar Panel Maintenance

There are a few key factors that influence the cost of solar panel maintenance. Mainly, the cost is driven by the size of the system and how easy the panels are to access.

The number of panels will determine how long it will take to clean, and also increases the number of circuits and equipment there is to inspect. The accessibility is also a key point, and single-storey homes with a fairly even pitch will always be quicker than steep and high roofs.

Location is also important, with tradespeople charging much more for work in London and the surrounding areas than in small northern towns. This is down solely to the cost of living, and is consistent across the board for all trade work.

Finally, the age and condition of the system play a key role in the pricing. Older systems may require more detailed inspections as they reach the end of their expected lifetime, and systems with complex additional systems, like battery storage, will be more complex to review.

Ultimately, this is a time-based job, so the quicker the panels are to clean and maintain, the cheaper it will be.

Building Regulations Related to Solar Panel Maintenance

Routine cleaning and maintenance of solar panels don’t require much in terms of approval.

However, if there are any electrical works involved in any repairs, these must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Part P covers all electrical work, and specifies that the work must be carried out by a qualified and certified professional.

Due to working at height, the health and safety regulations are also relevant, with professional contractors required to follow UK Health & Safety guidelines. This means using appropriate equipment and risk assessments.

Types of Solar Panel Maintenance

There are a few different levels of solar panel maintenance services. The first is the most basic, focusing on simply cleaning the dirt, dust and debris from the panels to ensure efficiency isn't impacted.

This is the most inexpensive service, making it suitable to be conducted annually.

More thorough inspections not only focus on cleaning the panels, but also reviewing and inspecting them to ensure that the performance is optimal and highlighting any causes for concern. This is more expensive than a clean-only service, but still cheaper than a full inspection.

Full inspections combine visual and full electrical checks of all panels, cables, frames and inverters. They are the most expensive type of service, but are the most comprehensive.

They cover everything from cleaning to system monitoring and minor repairs to ensure that the system is working as well as it can, and there are no faults on the horizon.

Battery Storage and Maintenance

Battery storage has become a crucial part of solar panel systems. It lets you save any extra energy you've generated during the day and use it at night or when the sun's out for less time.

That not only makes the most of having solar panels but also helps you cut back on your reliance on the grid and save some cash on your energy bills.

You have to take care of your solar panels and battery storage to get the most out of them, all year round. Getting a regular maintenance check-up to clean your panels and check on that battery storage unit can do a lot of good.

Catching any potential problems early on means you don't end up with a huge repair bill, and you'll get a few more years out of your whole system.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Solar Panel Maintenance

It's crucial that you select the right contractor to maintain your solar panels, and you should look for tradespeople with the most experience handling these systems.

A reliable contractor should provide a written quote, with a full breakdown of what the service includes, along with being accredited, insured and comfortable with working at height.

It’s also worth asking whether ongoing maintenance packages are available, which some contractors offer, as these can offer better value than one-off visits.

You can use MyJobQuote to compare multiple quotes to help homeowners find competitive prices and qualified professionals.

Removing Solar Panels for Maintenance or Replacement

In certain circumstances, there may be a requirement for solar panels to be removed for maintenance or even replacement. It goes without saying that this job is not appropriate for DIY and can only be completed by a trained professional with electrical qualifications.

FAQs