Many PV installations are left to their own devices when it comes to maintenance. Should installing companies take the initiative and knock on operators’ doors: Sir, Madam, I think I spotted something wrong with your installation?
Christian: I would advise against it. People tend not to like unsolicited visits or offers. I would not like it either. But it may be a good idea to contact the Federal Grid Agency and ask them for a list of all the PV installations in the area. Or one could go for a Sunday hike around the ‘neighbourhood’ and then put leaflets into specific letterboxes. Knocking on doors always feels a bit like one is trying to talk someone into a maintenance contract.
For smaller privately operated installations, a maintenance contract may not be worth it. Is an on-site inspection at the beginning of the year enough?
Christian: If the roof can be accessed without scaffolding, sure. Or if a simple ladder is sufficient to get a good look onto and underneath the panel array. Sometimes there might be a skylight that affords a good view of and under the PV installation. To keep costs down, it might be a good idea to handle it like with pruning trees: A few neighbours club together for a gardener to come to one area and the neighbours share the call-out expenses. The same can work for the PV installations of a specific area.
Do you also repair installations?
Christian: No. I only do assessments. I give expert advice for the building of new PV installations. I look for and find faults in existing installations and suggest measures how these defects and this damage can be repaired. Further, I advise of maintenance or, where applicable, suggest cleaning the solar array.
Do assessment and repair go together?
Christian: There are installing companies and technicians that also work as assessors. These then usually also do repairs. There is something a bit off about that, and the operators also often suspect the installing company of touting for the repair commission and later the maintenance contract. Like selling door to door. No, assessment, maintenance and repairs should be firmly separate to avoid conflicts of interest: “The more defects I find, the bigger my repair order is going to be!” (HS)
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