Understanding Solar O&M Costs for a Large-Scale Project
One of the first questions business owners ask before installing solar is, “What kind of maintenance will my system require?” In this feature, we share insights based on real solar maintenance cost quotes provided to clients by CommercialSolarGuy and by third-party solar Operations and Maintenance (O&M) companies. We’ll also highlight why solar maintenance services are critical for long-term system performance.
A long-time CommercialSolarGuy customer, who has developed five commercial solar panel installations, recently inquired about a comprehensive long-term solar maintenance plan. To provide the best advice, we reached out to two specialized solar O&M companies, Omnidian and Novasource, and received detailed proposals from each.
Before comparing providers, let’s examine the solar O&M costs for a 10-megawatt ground-mount project. A system of this size might cost $15 million to construct and is expected to run for at least 30 years. Naturally, ensuring the system’s longevity and efficiency is a top priority.
Different maintenance tasks require varied expertise, including general labor, electrical technicians, land managers, network specialists, and licensed electricians. Routine O&M services include:
- Cleaning solar panels
- Managing vegetation and land use
- Addressing pest interference
- Inspecting and securing wiring
- Reviewing legal documentation
- Assessing solar modules, trackers, and supporting hardware
Over its lifetime, a project this size incurs an average of $141,000 per year in O&M costs—just under 1% of the original investment. For smaller projects, this figure can rise to 2% due to economies of scale.
Why Use Solar Maintenance Services?
While solar O&M is generally simpler than maintaining other renewable energy sources like wind, it involves more than just wiping down the panels. A solar O&M company’s most important role is monitoring the array 24/7 to ensure it operates at full potential. Remote monitoring keeps your system optimal and helps minimize downtime if issues arise. Key metrics include:
- Inverter Availability
- Typical Generation
- Weather-Adjusted Expected Generation (some providers use meteorological data to ensure expected performance)
Both Omnidian and Novasource provide monitoring and tracking that alert the owner to any dip in production, pinpointing where the system may be losing power. Although these plans cover certain replacement parts, the system owner is still responsible for procuring major components if failures occur.
Ultimately, we chose Novasource as our solar O&M partner because they offered meteorological data analysis alongside production monitoring, and they provided a lower price point.
Image Source: pv magazine usa
The Role of Annual Inspections
While remote monitoring is essential, annual inspections and cleanings provide additional benefits, ensuring equipment like DC combiners, inverters, and DC strings remain in top condition. Site visits provide a detailed visual inspection of all equipment as technicians thoroughly check the electronics to ensure all components are functioning properly.
One often overlooked but crucial task during an inspection is checking all electrical connections. Loose wires and unstable solar panels are among the leading causes of electrical failures in long-term solar projects. A simple tightening of connections during an inspection can prevent costly downtime and ensure optimal performance.
Electrical Performance Tests & System Diagnostics
In the image below you’ll find examples of technical electrical assessments performed by electricians. These checks help ensure that individual system components operate at peak efficiency while minimizing potential failure points.
Image Source: Department of Energy
Expanding the Scope of Solar O&M Services
Beyond direct inspections and monitoring, commercial solar maintenance can require a wide range of services, including:
- Preventing pest damage from birds or rodents
- Monitoring network and IT systems to ensure data integrity and remote access
- Overseeing administrative compliance and warranty management
- Providing master electricians for troubleshooting and repairs
To provide a detailed financial perspective on these varied components, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published a comprehensive guide: Model of Operation-and-Maintenance Costs for Photovoltaic Systems. This report outlines cost structures for solar O&M services, helping owners plan for long-term maintenance expenses.
For an even deeper look at solar O&M financial models, check out our detailed analysis, where we explore real-world labor and cost breakdowns.
Factoring Solar Maintenance Services Into Your Payback Period
While solar O&M costs are often lower than those for other renewable energy systems, they still play a key role in ROI calculations. Maintenance expenses, combined with potential hardware failures, can impact annual cash flow.
To help system owners budget for long-term O&M costs, we analyzed real-world maintenance models in a detailed financial breakdown. See our spreadsheet model of solar panel maintenance costs to explore how different factors impact cost of ownership.
For businesses looking for a straightforward solar solution, CommercialSolarGuy offers two primary services:
✔ Solar Monitoring – We remotely monitor your commercial solar installation and track potential technical issues for $500 per year.
✔ Solar Site Visit & Report – An electrical technician will visit your site annually, perform a spot check of hardware and connections, verify component integrity, and compile a detailed report for $1,000 per year.
Maximizing Solar ROI Through Policy & Incentives
Beyond day-to-day upkeep, maximizing the return on investment (ROI) of a solar power system requires:
- Careful planning
- A solid grasp of incentives and energy policies
- Comprehensive financial modeling
For example, Rhode Island offers some of the best solar incentives in the country, allowing local businesses to recoup installation and solar maintenance costs in as little as five years. To see how solar ownership can translate into long-term profitability, check out our analysis maximizing ROI in Rhode Island, which breaks down incentives, energy pricing, and the financial outlook for businesses investing in solar.
Want expert guidance on Operations and Maintenance? Contact us today! Our team can answer all of your O&M questions, assess your roof and site, compare leasing vs. purchasing, and help you choose the best long-term solar maintenance plan for your system.