With more than 300 days of sunshine, generous state tax incentives, and relatively less heat compared to other sunny states, New Mexico is the perfect place for solar, whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner.
But a solar panel system is more than just panels on a roof. It’s a complex power plant that requires professional oversight to ensure it’s safe, efficient, and delivering the returns you expect.
Whether you’re buying a new home, managing a commercial property, or just want to ensure your system is performing at its peak, a professional solar system inspection is crucial. Here’s what you need to know.
No “Set-It-and-Forget-It”
While New Mexico, and Albuquerque, specifically, is a great place for solar, there are some things that can cause wear-and-tear on your solar system.
Weather events, like dust storms or heavy rain, can negatively impact solar panels, causing cracking or low performance.
Extreme heat events, which are becoming more and more common, degrade solar panels, as well.
And severe weather with high wind can lead to disruptions to wiring or other electrical components that connect solar panels to your home or business’s electrical wiring.
All of these factors mean that solar systems need some intentional care to make sure they’re working the best over their full life spans.
When Do You Need a Solar Inspection?
Periodic inspections are key to longevity and performance. Here are the most critical times to get one:
- During a Real Estate Transaction: When buying or selling a property with an existing solar system, a standard home inspection is not enough. Most home inspectors are not trained to evaluate the intricate electrical and structural components of a residential solar system. A specialized home inspection for solar panels protects both the buyer from inheriting a faulty solar system and the seller from last-minute liabilities.
- For Routine Maintenance: Just like your car, your solar system benefits from regular check-ups. We recommend a professional inspection every couple of years to catch minor issues like loose wiring, cracked panels, or inverter faults before they become costly problems. This ensures you can get the most out of your solar system over its decades-long lifespan.
- Solar Panels for Commercial Properties: A commercial solar inspection is essential for protecting your ROI. Underperformance, safety hazards, and premature equipment failure can have significant financial consequences. Regular solar panel inspections ensure your commercial array is a reliable asset, not a liability.
What Does a Professional Solar Panel Inspection Include?
When you work with SunState Solar, you’re getting more than just a quick look. A comprehensive inspection includes six steps:
- System Performance Analysis: This analysis verifies energy output and efficiency compared to expected performance, while identifying potential issues like shading, degradation, or system faults.
- Solar Panel Inspection: Our inspection checks for physical damage, dirt, or debris affecting panel performance and ensures proper mounting and alignment for maximum energy production.
- Inverter and Electrical Components: Inspecting inverts for proper functionality and energy conversion and reviewing wiring, connections, and compliance with electrical codes is the next step in our inspection process.
- Roof and Structural Assessment: We assess the condition of the roof and mounting systems for damage or wear to ensure that the system is securely installed without compromising roof integrity.
- Safety Checks: Safety checks, like tests for proper grounding and electrical safety and evaluating compliance with local and national codes and standards, make sure you won’t be caught off guard.
- Monitoring System Review: Proper monitoring lets you know that your system is functioning properly, so the last part of our inspection process is checking the performance of monitoring tools to ensure homeowners and business owners can track energy production effectively.
The Final Deliverable: Why You Should Buy a Solar Inspection Report
After the fieldwork is complete, the most valuable part of the service is our detailed report outlining the system’s condition, any issues found, and recommendations for repairs or maintenance if needed.
With your detailed report, you receive a comprehensive document that includes:
- Detailed solar panel inspection report
- Photo log
- Recommendations
This report is an invaluable tool for negotiating a home sale, filing a warranty claim, or simply planning for the future of your energy investment.
Your Trusted Partner for Solar System Inspections in Albuquerque
Don’t leave the health of your solar investment to chance. Our team has the expertise to evaluate residential and commercial systems throughout the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area, providing the peace of mind you deserve.
Ready to ensure your solar panels are safe, secure, and performing at their best?
Contact us today to schedule your professional solar panel inspection and protect your investment for years to come.