Inspect Solar Panel Mounting and Wiring

Once a year, inspect your solar array beyond just cleaning. From the ground (use binoculars if needed) or safely from the roof: check each panel for micro-cracks, hot spots (visible as discoloration or burn marks), delamination (bubbling under the glass), or broken frames. Check racking hardware — all bolts, clamps, and rail connections should be tight and free of rust; loose mounting hardware can allow panels to shift or blow off in high winds. Inspect visible DC wiring conduit for UV cracking, animal chewing, or loose fittings. Check that the roof penetrations are properly flashed and sealed — solar installs are a common source of roof leaks when flashing degrades. Open the inverter cabinet and look for any error codes or warning lights. Check the microinverter or optimizer LED indicators on each panel if your system uses them. Review 12 months of production data in your monitoring app — any panel significantly underperforming its neighbors may have a shading issue, a failed microinverter, or internal damage. Many issues are still covered under the 25-year panel warranty or the 10-year workmanship warranty — document and photograph everything.