What maintenance costs and procedures should I expect and budget for over the life of my solar electric system?
Regular maintenance is minimal for residential systems. If panels get especially dirty, you can hose them off once a year. Eventually, the inverter will wear out and need to be replaced (it is a computer, and like a computer has a life expectancy of about 10-15 years). The inverters to be installed for Solarize Portland participants (SMA Sunny Boy) carry a 10 year warranty from the manufacturer.
