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Operations and maintenance (O&M)
Solar panel systems are mostly a “set it and forget it” investment, requiring very little maintenance over their 25+ years. However, operations and maintenance (O&M) packages can provide extra peace of mind. Simply put, they’re essentially protection plans for your solar investment.
What’s covered under O&M plans?
Common services covered under O&M plans include:
- Site visits
- Pest control
- Cleaning
- Electrical system checks
- Solar inverter maintenance
Do I need an O&M package?
Most solar panel system owners don’t take advantage of O&M plans – if any maintenance is necessary, they lean on their installation company’s and/or equipment manufacturers’ warranties for protection.
Even with comprehensive warranty offerings in place, O&M plans provide an extra layer of protection and are particularly helpful for more proactively addressing system maintenance. Solar installers make most of their money from an initial installation. Because of this, some companies may prioritize working with new customers over maintenance on existing installs, whereas a service package prioritizes your already-operational system. Before choosing an installer, it’s a good idea to ask them about how their team handles service calls, what the process looks like, and in what cases you’ll have to pay fees to get your system fixed.