With solar power now becoming more affordable in Australia, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to solar panels to help them conserve energy and cut costs. However, just as some people will forget to do even the bare minimum to maintain their solar panels, others may be a little too eager to put in some effort to keep their system running well.

To be honest, it’s possible to do a little repair work yourself, as long as it’s minor and doesn’t involve, say, removing solar panels or rewiring. For more serious solar panel repair and maintenance tasks, though, you absolutely have to call a professional. Here’s why.

You Could Hurt Yourself

Since most solar panel systems are mounted on the roof, attempting to repair yours can be just as risky as repairing your roof. In other words, without the right equipment and training, you could find yourself on the way to the hospital because of an injury. On the other hand, solar panel technicians have been properly trained and have the equipment necessary to get on a homeowner’s roof so they can do the needed repairs. It’s much safer for you to call one, and saves you a medical bill or two.

You Risk Damaging the Panels

It’s true that solar panels are made to last, but they can still be damaged if you’re not sure of what you’re doing. It’s like, say, maintaining a car, when you think about it. There’s nothing wrong with checking and topping up brake fluid and transmission fluid, but if there’s something wrong with the engine itself, or you need a part replaced, it’s best to call a mechanic.

The same thing goes for solar panels. A little cleaning or minor maintenance now and then is fine, but attempting any major repairs can lead to a broken panel or more. Then you’d still have to call in a professional.

You Could End Up Spending More Money

The idea of saving more money by repairing your solar panel system yourself is an attractive one, but the truth is, trying to go the DIY route in this case could ultimately end up with you spending more instead of saving.

If your solar panel system has a good warranty, or if it’s covered by your home insurance, most repairs and replacements will be covered anyway. If not, paying a technician to come out and take care of the repair will cost less than having to replace a component or two – especially if it’s the panels themselves you need to replace. Any potential savings aren’t worth a trip to the hospital, either.

So no matter how many DIY projects you have under your belt, you need to accept that there are tasks – like solar panel system repair – that are better left to the professionals.