How Can I Get Solar Panel Repairs in Ireland?

By David Tait

Editorial Manager

Although solar panels present a great deal of positives such as a free, green electricity and lower energy bills, when they break they can cause a lot of problems. Knowing how to get solar panel repairs will be really important in the future so in our solar panel repairs guide, we’ll walk you through how to get repairs for your solar panels so they can keep generating electricity for you.

When Do I Need Solar Panel Repairs?

Like anything, your solar panels might need repairing. Solar panels are usually equipped with long-life spans, so in the ordinary way of things, you don’t have to worry about anything becoming damaged beyond repair, with climate change and more unpredictable weather patterns, you never know what’s round the corner!

What Causes Solar Panel Damage?

Although solar panels have many benefits, they can get damaged for a whole host of reasons and it’s important to know the risks before getting your solar panels installed.

Almost all problems are fixable, but knowing how the damage could be caused will allow you to better protect them in the future. Here are the common reasons why your solar panels might get damaged:

1. Wear and Tear
   Normal wear and tear from your solar panels being strapped to your roof will cause most of the minor damage to your solar panels. You can end up with minor scratches from debris over time or dust building up, clogging up the electronics.
2. Extreme Weather
   Extreme weather will likely be the greater cause of damage to your solar panels. Storms, hailstones, heavy rain, can all damage the reflective glass and the important solar panel components that all it works. You should always check your solar panels after extreme weather.
3. Incorrect Installation
   Sometimes, though it is rare, your solar panels might not be installed properly. This can leave them exposed more to wear and tear and make them more likely to break down when wanting to use them. An incorrect installation can be frustrating, but you will need to get it fixed as soon as possible before it causes more damage.

Can a Damaged Solar Panel Be Repaired?

If the damage is restricted to the electronics, it could be a matter of just needing to reconnect your solar panels to make sure it's working properly. If you have severe cracks in the glass - especially with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels - it is usually unrepairable and you will need to have them replaced.

How Can I Protect My Solar Panels from Damage?

The best way to protect your solar panels from damage is to do regular cleaning and maintenance. Normally, solar panels won’t need much to keep them in good condition, but it’s always worth it to do an inspection at least once or twice a year to make sure they’re in good working order.

How long do solar panels last? Solar panels are designed to last from 25 to 40 years. Of course, the lifespan of a solar panel depends a lot on the care and maintenance they receive during their lifetime, but they are usually a long term investment that will pay off over time. In Ireland, since we have quite moderate weather overall, your solar panels shouldn’t have to be replaced.

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What Are Common Solar Panel Repair Problems?

When it comes to solar panels, a lot might go wrong. Since all types of solar panels are fiddly devices and solar energy is tricky, something coming loose or detached can happen very easily and stop them from working.

In fact, you might not even realise that your solar panels are not functioning correctly since they might still be generating renewable energy, just at a lower efficiency.

What Could Be Wrong with My Solar Panels?

Some of the problems you might have with your solar panels might be obvious so you might notice, but others might be more hidden and harder to spot. Here’s a list of the possible issues you might have with your solar panels:

1. Cracked Glass
   The glass casing on solar panels are important for regulating the temperature and for protecting the solar cells within, especially with PV solar panels. Although good solar panels are reinforced against hailstorms and other weather conditions, they can end up cracked. This is a big problem that might lead to you needing to replace the solar panel.
2. Seal Leaks
   Similar to the cracked glass issues, you might have poorly applied sealant around the joints of the solar panel. This again means you are more likely to have problems with your solar cells that can get clogged with dust and debris. Make sure all your solar panels are sealed correctly.
3. The PID Effect
   The Potential Induced Degradation (PID) effect occurs due to the fluctuations in voltage flowing through the solar panel system. You will need to make sure your flow is regularised through maintenance to avoid these problems.
4. Low System Pressure
   Solar panels are usually pressurised systems, particularly in thermodynamic or solar thermal systems. If the pressure drops, you will need to have them repressurised.
5. Poor System Flow Rate
   The flow rate allows for the normal operation of your solar panels. If the flow rate is too low, your solar panels might overheat quickly but if it’s too low, you might experience irregular electricity generation from them. You’ll need to make sure your flow rate is working fine so your solar panels are working normally. The flow rate can also affect the antifreeze.
6. Air Build Up
   If your solar panels haven’t been commissioned properly, you could have an air build up which can lead to an air bubble inside the system. This can affect how well your panels perform when it comes to heating the water cylinder.
7. Faulty Wiring
   All the solar panel cells in a PV solar panel are interconnected through wiring. If you don’t have rigorous wiring, your solar cells won’t be able to connect to one another properly and reduce its efficiency. Loose wiring can be solved with regular maintenance.

Do solar panels still work if they are cracked? Cracked solar panels are still able to produce electricity and you might be able to live with minor cracks to your glass casing. The important part is the silicone-made solar panel cells that are underneath the casing. However, cracked solar panel glass will mean your solar panels will operate less efficiently.

How Do I Know If My Solar Panels Have Been Installed Correctly?

Your solar panels need to have been installed by an SEAI registered solar panel installer to make sure yours have been completed by a fully certified installer. Although you can pick which solar panel company comes to do your solar panel installation, it is recommended to stick with the most reputable.

Who Can Carry Out Solar Panel Repairs?

Solar panel repairs require the same level of care and expertise as an installation. Fortunately, there are lots of solar panel repair companies that exist that are able to help you out with both an inspection and giving you a quote for the repairs.

Will My Solar Panel Company Do the Repairs?

Many solar panel companies that install solar panels will also do your repairs for you. Particularly if you have a warranty with your solar panels, you will want to get in contact with the company that sold them to you in order to get them repaired. However, if you prefer to go with someone else, there are plenty of solar panel repair companies that will do the repairs for you.

Can I Do Solar Panel Repairs Myself?

Unless you are a fully trained electrical engineer with experience with solar panels, it is not recommended that you try and fix your solar panels yourself. Solar panel repairs require specialised equipment and working in dangerous conditions in high places. If you need your solar panels fixed, you should call a professional.

What’s the Solar Panel Repair Process?

The solar panel repair process is relatively simple and only involves a couple of steps. The process might vary depending on the company you get your solar panel repairs from, but in general the process is the following:

• Inspection
  First you’ll get an inspection where an engineer will come along and assess your solar panels to see what repairs might be needed. They will usually leave you with a report on what needs to be done.
• Quote
  Afterwards, you’ll receive a quote detailing the repairs that are needed and how much you’ll be charged. This will vary given the extent of the damage and whether you need any more parts. You can then decide if you want to go through with the repairs.
• Repairs
  If you accept the quote, the solar panel engineer will come along to fix your solar panels. Depending on the extent of the damage, this can take between a couple of hours to up to two days to get everything sorted.

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How Much Do Solar Panel Repairs Cost?

The costs for solar panel repairs is difficult to assess since every home and situation will be different. You will normally get a bespoke quote that’s catered exactly to the needs of your solar panels’ damage. 

If your solar panels just need to have its wiring fixed or be cleaned, it could be relatively cheap. If however you’ve got major damage to the panel and the cells, it might need replacing, costing you a lot more.

Can I Get a Grant for Solar Panel Repairs?

Although you can get a grant for your solar panels from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that can pay for a substantial part of the solar panel costs and other carbon-reducing upgrades, you can’t get a grant for your solar panel repairs. It’s important to remember that the SEAI solar panel grant is a once-off grant that can only be used once per property.

Find Out More in Our Solar Panel Grant Guide!

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Can I Get Insurance for Solar Panel Repairs?

Since solar panels are expensive appliances for your home, getting them insured is a must! Fortunately, most homeowners can get insurance for your home that will cover your solar panels meaning that if you already have home insurance, you don’t need to worry about an increase in your premium. 

Solar panels are usually covered as a permanent fixture. You can also check to see whether your solar battery is also covered.

How Do I Know If My Home Insurance Covers My Solar Panels?

Just to be on the safe side, double check your home insurance policy to make sure that your solar panels are definitely covered. If they aren’t, you should consider taking out one that does, which might mean a slight rise in your premium.

Do Solar Panels Have a Lifetime Warranty in Ireland?

The warranty for solar panels is usually the same as their lifespan, so 25 years. Even though you have an extended warranty, it’s still a good idea to take out some form of insurance against them breaking in the future.