Home solar equipment is a large upfront investment with big payoffs, including increased home value and lower monthly electric bills. The low-maintenance energy source features smart monitoring technology to alert you of repair needs. From wind and hail damage to wildlife and stray baseballs, you can expect to spend between $250 to $1,700, or a national average of $975, for solar panel repair services.
In this pricing guide, we’ll cover:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator By Repair Type
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Cost By Location
- FAQ
Average Costs of Solar Panel Repair
| National Average Cost | $975 |
| Typical Price Range | $250 – $1,700 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $100 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $3,325 |
Repairing your photovoltaic (PV) system typically costs between $250 to $1,700, but many factors can add additional costs. Roofing contractors charge a minimum of $100 per service for minor fixes like an epoxy patch, while a high-end solar inverter replacement could set you back as much as $3,325.
Solar Panel Repair Cost Estimator By Repair Type
Every home’s solar energy system is unique depending on the number of kilowatt-hours of energy production needed to cover household energy demands. The average U.S. home has 20 to 25 solar panels in its array, the equivalent of a 9-kW system.
Cracked glass and loose wires are the cheapest and most common repairs, while an inverter replacement and installation costs can set you back up to $2,500 on average. Most solar panels still operate at reduced efficiency with cracked glass. Taking into consideration the severity of your repair needs, expect to spend between $250 to $1,700 on repairs.
Here’s a look at some of the most common repairs:
Cracked Glass
While most solar panels remain operational with cracked glass, it is important to mend a cracked solar panel as soon as possible to increase efficiency and reduce your risk of complete panel replacement. Broken glass repairs cost between $120 to $475 per panel, with small epoxy patches costing as little as $20. However, it is important to note that most roofing contractors have a job minimum of $100, the equivalent of one hour of work.
Loose Connections
Loose wiring is one of the most common repair problems, and luckily, one of the cheapest to fix. A solar professional or electrician can typically fix a loose wire in one hour. Wire repairs cost between $100 to $400, depending on the location of your wiring mounts, and most repairs are as simple as soldering broken connections together.
Inverter Replacement
Your solar system’s inverter is one of its most expensive components. A faulty inverter will set you back between $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the type, but could cost upwards of $3,000 for luxury models.
Your inverter converts the direct current from your solar panels into usable alternating current. All solar panel systems require an inverter, even those off-grid. Instead of sending unused energy back to the national grid, your home’s solar system stores the energy in a battery storage bank.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Solar panel systems require little maintenance and reduce energy costs. It’s a win-win, while smart systems alert you to potential issues, making your life easier. Overall, consider these additional factors affecting your total cost:
- Size: The number of solar panels in your array affects labor and materials costs.
- Location: Higher cost of living in areas like Los Angeles or Phoenix affects the overall cost of your repair service.
- Accessibility: Solar panel systems on one-story houses cost less than systems on two-story homes.
- Slope: The slope of your roof and the ease of access directly affects your total cost.
Solar Panel Removal
Larger, more complex repairs and repairs to your panel’s mounting hardware may require the removal of one or more solar panels. You can expect to spend between $2,820 to $5,920, or a national average of $4,370, for solar panel removal and reinstallation.
Solar Panel Cleaning
While you’re having repairs completed, it is a good idea to have your solar panels professionally cleaned. Cleaning is part of your annual maintenance plan. While your needs vary depending on your location and solar panel manufacturer, experts advise having your solar panels professionally cleaned twice per year, and cleaning is a condition of many solar panel warranty terms.
Dirty solar panels lose up to 30% of their output efficiency. If you live in a temperate climate with more rainfall, you may need to clean less frequently than if you live in a drier, dustier area. The typical cost of having solar panels professionally cleaned ranges from $300 to $635 for 20- to 25-panel systems, or around $13 to $25 per panel.
Take a look at the common per-panel cleaning cost for popular arrays:
| Number of Panels | Average Cleaning Cost *includes labor |
| 10 panels | $130 – $250 |
| 15 panels | $195 – $375 |
| 20 panels | $260 – $500 |
| 25 panels | $325 – $635 |
Labor Cost to Repair Solar Panels
A skilled contractor repairs your system for optimal performance. You should be prepared to spend around 60% of your total project costs on labor, with the average cost of solar panel repairs falling between $100 to $150 per hour.
Some repairs require an electrician to disconnect and repair power supplies, load panels, meters, and inverters. Typically, electricians cost between $45 to $135 per hour.
Overall, labor rates depend on your location, the experience of the roofing contractor and electrician, the complexity of your roof, and other work necessary to complete your job.
| Specialty | Labor Cost |
| Solar maintenance per hr. | $100 – $150 |
| Electrician per hr. | $45 to $135 |
Related Services
Routine solar panel maintenance helps catch small repair needs early before they become enormous problems. Here are some related services.
Solar Panel Maintenance Costs
Experts usually discover solar system repair needs during your annual inspection or thanks to your system’s smart monitoring technology alerting you to low-efficiency levels. Experts recommend scheduling professional solar panel cleaning services twice per year, coupled with an annual inspection to round out your maintenance plan. You can expect to spend between $400 to $740, or a national average of $570, for annual solar panel maintenance.
If your roofing contractor discovers repair needs during your inspection, it is important to have them completed as soon as possible to maximize your system’s efficiency.
Solar Panel Inspection
Solar panel systems are low-maintenance, but they do require some TLC to maintain peak operating efficiency. There’s no better way to ensure your system is operating at its peak than to have it professionally inspected. Roofing companies suggest having your solar system inspected once per year to maintain optimal power output and keep your warranty in good standing.
You can expect to spend between $150 to $325 for a thorough solar panel inspection. Your inspector will check all components, including wiring, panels, mounting racks, critical load panels, and inverters. They will look for corrosion, loose wires, cracked glass, loose bolts or screws, and more. They also will advise on necessary tree trimming, so your solar energy system can operate at peak performance.
Roof Repairs
Roof repairs vary drastically depending on many factors, with the largest factor being roofing material. Roof repair costs typically range from $348 to $1,186, or a national average of $767.
Here’s a look at some of the most common roofing materials and their average repair costs.
Roof Replacement
The lifespans of your solar panels and roofing materials may not line up. If you didn’t replace your roofing materials when installing your new solar array, you may need to replace your roofing shingles before the lifespan of your solar system is up. Re-roofing ranges from $5,706 to $11,185, for a national average of $8,446, depending on new materials, roof size, and the cost of removing your existing materials.
Here’s a look at the average cost of replacing popular roofing materials.
| Roofing Material | Average Replacement Costs Per Square Foot*includes labor and material |
| Asphalt shingles | $2 – $5 |
| Clay or concrete tiles | $10 – $23 |
| Metal | $6 – $13 |
| Slate | $12 – $28 |
| Wood shingles or shakes | $7 – $10 |
Cost of Solar Panel Repair By Location
Solar panel repair costs vary widely depending on location, cost of living, and the complexity of your roof. There is no way to know exactly what your repair services will cost without receiving free quotes from professional solar contractors in your area.
FAQ About Solar Panel Repairs
No. Home solar systems are a complicated technology, requiring electrical and building permits to repair, modify, or install. Improper installation can void your manufacturer’s warranty.
Most PV systems maintain maximum output and efficiency for 25 years. Longevity depends on the brand of solar panel, and providers offer their own warranties.
Be sure to check with your solar panel manufacturer to understand your warranty.
Most solar panels operate with cracked glass at reduced efficiency. It is important to have cracks repaired by a solar professional as soon as possible. Broken glass can lead to trapped water or dirt, impacting both absorbed and produced energy.
Homeowners can only earn the government tax credit for new solar installations once per home. If you claimed the tax credit with your previous installation, you will not be eligible to claim the incentive again. However, if your solar panel installation is part of a second residence or new home, you are eligible to claim the credit. The solar tax credit program runs from 2023 to 2035.
Find a Solar Panel Professional Near You
Going solar is a large investment, and the keys to protecting your investment are routine maintenance and timely repairs. Completing all necessary repairs saves you money, ensuring your solar system remains at peak operating performance while lowering your energy bill. You can expect to spend between $250 to $1,700, or a national average of $975, to repair your solar panels.
If you are ready to have a roofing professional get your system back up and running, RoofGnome connects you to the best solar panel companies in your area.
Main Image Credit: Pexels
