Frequently Asked Questions

Check the monitoring app or the inverter display on a clear midday. If production is zero, far lower than the same month last year, or one panel reads much lower than the rest, something is wrong. A rising electric bill with no change in usage is another clue.

Some drop is normal. Panels lose a little output for every degree above 77 degrees, and Chandler roofs get much hotter than that in summer. A system that is also low in March, or lower each year than the year before, needs a closer look.

Yes. That situation is common, and we work on the common panel and inverter brands, and manufacturer warranties are often still valid even after the installing company has closed.

It depends on the work. Like-for-like fixes such as cleaning or reseating a connector generally do not, while replacing equipment or changing wiring can. We confirm with the city's Development Services department before work starts, and the permit is filed when one is required.

If equipment changes, often yes. SRP uses a change request in its PowerClerk portal, and APS uses an equipment amendment or a new application depending on how much the system size changes. We tell you when a repair calls for that filing.

National cost guides put most solar repairs between about $400 and $1,000, with inverter replacement running higher. Your price depends on what failed, whether a warranty covers parts, and how hard the roof is to work on. You get a written estimate before any work.

You can rinse them from the ground with a soft brush and low-pressure hose early in the morning, but avoid hard tap water spots, abrasive pads and walking on the roof. Tap water can leave a mineral film on the glass, which is why professional cleaning uses purified water.

String inverters usually have a shorter life than the panels they serve, and many come with 10 to 12 year warranties. Microinverters and power optimizers typically carry 25-year warranties. Heat and poor ventilation can shorten any inverter's life.

Often, yes, as long as the new unit fits the array's voltage and power. Systems with optimizers have fewer choices because the optimizers must be compatible with the inverter.

Usually. SRP handles modifications through a change request in PowerClerk, and APS uses an equipment amendment form or a new application. We check the requirement for your system before the swap.

Not always, but it should be checked. Some codes clear after a grid outage, while others point to a ground fault or a failed component. Take a photo of the screen and send it along when you contact us.

Usually about a week or more, depending on the roofer's schedule. Removal and reinstall each take a day or a few days, with the roofing work in between.

Some roofers do, but the system has to be shut down, unplugged and later reconnected and tested correctly. Damaged connectors or a missed ground connection can show up months later as a fault. Having solar specialists handle the array lets the roofer focus on the roof.

The roof permit is normally the roofer's responsibility. Whether reinstalling the array needs its own permit depends on the scope, so we confirm with the City of Chandler before the work is scheduled.

Ask your roofer what they need to see. Many want the mounts flashed a certain way. We coordinate with them so the attachments meet their requirements.

Only if they are failing or you want more output. Panels in good shape usually go back on. We test them while they are off and tell you if any should be replaced.

The clips grip the panel frame and do not drill into the panel or the roof. Ask your panel manufacturer about their rules if you have concerns, and we can show you the clip type before installation.

Spikes, decoys and noise devices rarely work long-term under a solar array. Once birds have nested there, closing off the space is usually the only lasting fix.

Properly installed mesh has openings large enough for air to move freely. It blocks birds, not airflow, and removing nests actually improves airflow under the panels.

It depends on your community. Some HOAs want to review any visible change to the roof. Check your association's rules before scheduling.

The inverter shut down to protect the system, which is what it is supposed to do. Do not keep resetting it. Have the wiring tested so the actual leak can be found and fixed.

Heat increases resistance at loose or worn connections, and an undersized or incompatible breaker will trip under load. Testing the breaker and its connections usually finds the cause.

A loose or damaged connector can overheat, melt its housing and damage nearby materials. That is why we check and reseat connectors rather than assume they are fine.

Yes. We work on systems put in by other companies. Having the original plans helps but is not required.

Usually. Each one runs a panel that would otherwise produce nothing for the rest of the system's life. If the part is under warranty, the cost may be mostly labor.

If every panel reads zero at once, the issue is more likely the gateway, Wi-Fi, a breaker or the trunk cable than every microinverter failing together. That is usually a quicker fix.

It is possible but usually costly and requires a full redesign and new permits. In most cases, replacing failed micros is the better value.

Most carry 25-year warranties. Individual units can still fail early, especially in hot climates, which is why the warranty matters.

Steady rain helps, but Chandler gets only about 9 inches a year, often in short bursts that turn dust into mud. Most systems here need a hand wash once or twice a year.

No. High pressure can damage the glass coating and the seals around the panel edges. Use a soft brush and purified water, or have a professional do it.

After monsoon season and again in spring are good times. Clean early in the morning while the glass is cool.

If dirt was the problem, yes. If output is still low after cleaning, something else is going on, such as a failed inverter or wiring problem, and we will tell you what we see.