Resources and checklists

Seasonal system inspection checklist

A simple visual routine, four times a year. It does not replace professional inspection — it helps you notice changes worth following up on.

• Look for dirt, leaves, bird droppings, or other debris on the panel surfaces.
• Check for new shading: growing trees, new structures, or anything casting a shadow on the array.
• Look for visible damage: cracks, discolored cells, or anything loose on the mounting hardware.
• Check the area around the inverter for error lights or unusual messages.
• Review monitoring data and compare recent output with the same season in previous years.
• Listen for unusual sounds from inverters or batteries during the day.
• Check that vents and clearances around equipment remain unobstructed.
• Note any storm damage to the roof around the array.
• Keep a written log of anything you notice, with dates and photos.
• If something looks wrong, arrange an inspection by a qualified professional.

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Plain-language glossary

• Photovoltaic effect: the process by which certain materials produce electric current when exposed to light.
• Solar cell: the smallest unit that converts sunlight into electricity; cells are combined to make modules.
• Module: a panel of many solar cells wired together and framed for mounting; often simply called a panel.
• Array: the full set of modules wired together on a roof or ground mount.
• Inverter: the device that converts direct current from the array into alternating current for the home and grid.
• Direct current (DC): electric current that flows in one direction; what solar cells produce.
• Alternating current (AC): electric current that reverses direction periodically; what homes and the grid use.
• Kilowatt-hour: a unit of energy equal to one kilowatt of power used for one hour; the unit on your utility bill.
• Net metering: an arrangement, where offered by a utility, that credits exported solar generation against consumption; rules vary by utility.
• Battery management system: the electronics that monitor and protect a battery during charging and discharging.
• Off-grid: a system with no connection to the utility grid, relying on batteries for all stored power.
• Grid-tied: a system connected to the utility grid, able to export surplus generation where local rules allow.
• Azimuth: the compass direction a surface faces; south in the northern hemisphere, north in the southern.
• Tilt angle: the angle of the modules from horizontal; the best angle depends on latitude and site.