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Solar systems are built to run for decades with minimal intervention. But "minimal" does not mean "none". A solar system that is never inspected can develop problems that go undetected for months or years, silently reducing output and costing you money.
The good news is that most issues are easy to spot if you know what to look for. A quick ground-level check every few months, combined with a professional inspection every couple of years, catches problems early and keeps your system running at its best.
This checklist covers what you can safely check yourself, what to look for, and when it is time to bring in a professional.
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Your ground-level inspection checklist
You can do these checks yourself every 3 to 6 months. None of them require climbing onto the roof or touching any electrical components.
Check monitoring data
Review your inverter app or monitoring portal for any drops in output, error codes, or unusual patterns over the past month. Compare current output to the same period last year.
Visual check from the ground
Walk around your property and look at the panels from ground level. Check for visible dirt, debris, bird nests, cracked glass, or discolouration. Use binoculars for a closer look.
Check the inverter
Look at the inverter display or indicator lights. A green light usually means normal operation. Red or orange lights, error codes, or a blank display indicate a problem.
Inspect visible wiring
Check any visible cables running from the roof to the inverter. Look for loose connections, damaged insulation, or signs of animal damage.
Check for shading changes
Trees grow. New structures get built. Check whether any new shading has developed since installation that could be reducing output.
Book a professional if needed
If you notice anything unusual during your ground-level check, or if it has been more than 2 years since your last professional inspection, book one.
Warning signs to watch for
Unexplained output drop
If your daily output has dropped and the weather has not changed, something may be wrong. Compare to the same month last year in your monitoring app. A 10% or greater unexplained drop warrants investigation.
Severity: Moderate
Inverter error codes
Your inverter display or app will show error codes when something is wrong. Common codes relate to grid faults, earth faults, insulation failures, and overheating. Note the code and contact your installer or a qualified repairer.
Severity: Urgent
Visible panel damage
Cracks, chips, or shattered glass are obvious. Less obvious are brown or yellow discolouration patches, which indicate cell damage or delamination. Both reduce output and can worsen over time.
Severity: Moderate to urgent
Bird or pest activity
Pigeons nesting under panels, possums running across them, or rodents chewing cables are common in Australia. Look for droppings, nesting material, or chewed wiring. Bird proofing mesh can prevent future nesting.
Severity: Moderate
Water stains on ceiling
Water stains on your ceiling below the panels may indicate a leak at a mounting point or roof penetration. This needs immediate attention to prevent structural damage.
Severity: Urgent
New shading
Trees grow, neighbours build extensions, and new structures can cast shadows that were not there when the system was installed. Even partial shading on one panel can reduce the output of an entire string.
Severity: Low
What a professional inspection covers
A professional solar inspection goes beyond what you can see from the ground. It typically includes the following.
Thermal imaging of all panels to detect hot spots, damaged cells, and failing connections. This is the most valuable part of a professional inspection because it reveals hidden problems.
Electrical testing: voltage, current, and insulation resistance measurements across the system to confirm panels, wiring, and connections are performing to specification.
Physical inspection of panels, mounting hardware, and roof penetrations. This includes checking for loose bolts, corroded frames, and seal integrity.
Inverter diagnostics: reading error logs, checking firmware, and verifying the inverter is operating within normal parameters.
Wiring and connection check: inspecting MC4 connectors, junction boxes, and DC isolator switches for signs of heat damage, corrosion, or water ingress.
Written report with findings, photos, and recommendations for any remedial work.
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When you should inspect more frequently
Some situations call for more frequent checks than the standard 3 to 6 month visual plus biennial professional schedule.
After severe weather
Hail, strong winds, or cyclones can damage panels, loosen mountings, or shift wiring. Do a visual check after any significant weather event and book a professional inspection if you see anything concerning.
Installer has closed down
If your original installer has gone out of business, you have no workmanship warranty to fall back on. More frequent inspections help you catch installation-related issues (loose mountings, poor sealing) before they cause expensive damage. Check your installer's status on our collapsed companies tracker.
System is over 10 years old
Older systems are more likely to develop issues, particularly with inverters, connections, and DC isolator switches. Annual professional inspections are worthwhile once a system passes the 10-year mark.
Known pest problems
If you have had pigeons, possums, or rodents interfering with your panels or wiring, check more frequently until the problem is resolved with bird proofing or pest control.
Using monitoring as a continuous inspection
If your system has monitoring (and most modern systems do), your best inspection tool is already running. Get into the habit of checking your monitoring app weekly. Look for consistent daily output patterns and investigate any sudden changes.
Many monitoring platforms send alerts when output drops below expected levels or when the inverter reports a fault. Enable these notifications if you have not already. They turn your monitoring system into an early warning system that catches problems before they become expensive.
If your system predates modern monitoring, an inverter upgrade will add this capability. See our upgrading guide for more on the benefits of a modern hybrid inverter.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I inspect my solar panels?
Do a visual check from the ground every 3 to 6 months. Book a professional inspection every 2 years, or annually if your system is over 10 years old, you live in a harsh climate, or your installer has gone out of business and you have no workmanship warranty.
What does a professional solar inspection include?
A professional inspection typically includes thermal imaging to detect hot spots and cell damage, electrical testing of voltage, current, and insulation resistance, visual inspection of panels, wiring, and mounting, inverter diagnostics, and a written report with recommendations. Expect to pay $150 to $350.
Can I inspect solar panels myself?
You can do visual inspections from the ground, check your monitoring data, and inspect the inverter display. However, you should never climb onto the roof or touch any electrical components. Leave those to a licensed professional.
What are the signs that something is wrong with my solar system?
A sudden drop in output, inverter error codes or warning lights, circuit breaker tripping, visible panel damage (cracks or discolouration), unusual noises from the inverter, or electricity bills increasing despite no change in usage are all signs that warrant further investigation.
Do I need to inspect my solar panels to maintain my warranty?
Most panel manufacturers require "reasonable maintenance" as a warranty condition, which includes keeping panels clean and in good condition. While regular professional inspections are not always explicitly required, they help you document system health and identify issues early, which strengthens any future warranty claim.
How much does a professional solar inspection cost?
A standalone inspection costs $150 to $350 depending on system size and location. Many companies offer annual maintenance packages that bundle inspection with cleaning for $250 to $500. Some installers include annual inspections in their aftercare program.
The next step
If you have any questions about the information in this guide, feel free to get in touch:
Email: andy@whysolar.com.au
Tel: +61 455 221 921
If you're considering solar panels or batteries for your home, Andy and the team can help you get quotes from trusted, pre-vetted local installers:
Written by
Andy McMasterSolar Installer Partner Relations
Connects homeowners with trusted, vetted solar installers across Australia. Andy works directly with installation companies to ensure quality standards and helps homeowners navigate the quoting process.
Learn more about Andy McMaster