Solar energy has been gaining rapidly increasing attention in recent years as a renewable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly source of energy. In India, there is an increasing scope of solar energy startups because of its excellent location for solar power generation. India has an average of 300 sunny days throughout the year.
The Indian government has also launched several initiatives and policies to promote the development and use of solar energy. If you’re considering the great investment of solar panels for your residential or commercial applications, don’t forget AMC services. Don’t know what these services mean and why you suppose to consider them? Read on for its answer and more information about solar system AMC.
What is Solar System AMC?
An Annual Maintenance Contract or AMC is a service provided by solar companies (solar installation providers) to their customers to ensure the proper working condition of their system. It is provided when free product services provided are completed.
The maintenance generally includes solar panels cleaning with a soft and clean cloth to get rid of dust particles and leaves. Usually, water sprinkling is enough for solar panel maintenance. The main purpose of AMC service is to make sure the smooth functioning and maintenance of all equipment and reduce downtime.
Need of AMC Service for Solar System
The key feature of solar equipment is that they don’t need the most frequent and costly maintenance. After successful rooftop solar panel installation, you can enjoy a constant supply of green and clean power for about 25-30 years with little maintenance. AMC services help in identifying any potential worries or damages before they possibly turn into bigger problems, and start affecting your system’s power generation capacity.
Different Types of Solar System AMC Contract
Basic AMC Package-
One of the basic plan packages that only covers basic panel cleaning, routine panel inspection, performance monitoring, and minor repairs. The basic AMC package is the most affordable package that homeowners can leverage for small size solar panel maintenance. However, if you have major requirements, connect with your hired solar installation company in India for other AMC packages that cover major maintenance.
Comprehensive AMC Package-
The service involves complete maintenance of installed rooftop solar panels, making it easier for homeowners to get them repaired. Technicians and a team of professionals visit the site, analyze the performance, examine the defective panel part, and accordingly update customers about necessary measures. The major services that the comprehensive AMC package includes are inverter checks, electrical safety inspections, thermal imaging (a process to identify the damaged panel area, faults, and irregularities), etc. Further, professionals ensure customers remain updated with the latest solar solutions and solar system for commercial buildings in India, giving them the necessary information to upgrade the system for improved efficiency.
Customized AMC Package-
Many solar panel installation companies provide customized AMC packages to customers, considering their requirements. It includes a complete analysis of their needs, including specifications they’d like to add to their package. The customized AMC package involves specific services that customers require, for instance, regular dusting (basic AMC), inverter replacement (comprehensive AMC), etc. However, you need to consult with a hired solar installation company in India if they provide a customized AMC package. Many companies are rigid with their annual maintenance contract services. Therefore, ensure to have complete information before signing the contract.
What does Solar System AMC Service Consist Of?
Well, it basically depends on the company you’re getting the AMC services from. Mostly, these services cover all the predictive, preventive, and corrective aspects of the solar system installation to ensure optimum performance throughout the expected duration.
- Solar panels cleaning at scheduled intervals.
- Examination for loose connections, electrical checks, voltage, string current, etc.
- 15 days of reporting and warranty claim support.
- Calibration of sensors, monitoring system, and SCADA.
- Removing plants, leaves, vegetation, shading from closer trees, etc.
- Alarm handling with 48 hours of response time.
- Analysis of inverter working and diagnosing odd behavior in the solar power plant.
- Alerting manufacturing issues and management of upgrades or repairs.
Benefits of Solar System Annual Maintenance Contract
Regular and timely maintenance not only extends the life of your system but provides many more benefits –
Enhance Performance
Solar energy systems are designed to provide a sustainable, affordable, and pollution-free source of energy. Using a 3kW solar system can help you in improving the value of your property while reducing about 90% of utility or electricity bills. But while using these systems, it is important to ensure their regular maintenance.
The reason is that system efficiency can be reduced by about 20 percent if they are not cleaned properly and regularly. The accumulation of dirt, dust, and leaves can cause obstacles in accurately capturing sunlight. This makes a system operates less efficiently.
By choosing solar system AMC services, you can clean and maintain your systems professionally. Removal of any grime and dirt from the surface improves sunlight absorption capability and system efficiency.
Save the Cost of Repair
Since life is unpredictable, problems can happen at any time but solar AMC services help in timely recognizing those issues. These problems could lead to a risk to you and your family as well. Identifying the problems early help in saving the cost of repair or loss of power due to sudden stoppage in the system functioning.
Keeps Safety a High Priority
Another major benefit of solar system AMC service is keeping the system’s safety as a priority. Through regular maintenance and servicing, you can prevent the risk of fires as faulty equipment like inverters, DC isolators, and wiring connectors can lead to these dangerous issues.
During servicing process, professional technicians will examine all the crucial electric components and look for signs of corrosion and potential damage from water and extreme weather. Annual maintenance is extremely important for people living in regions receiving extreme heat, lightning, hail, or snowfall to prevent any weather-associated damage.
Extended Lifespan
As mentioned above, annual maintenance helps in early identifying the potential damage and dysfunction that can affect the whole system. By ensuring the good working condition of brackets, cells, inverters, and other components, you can improve the longevity of the system and protect your investment.
Operating a solar panel at optimum temperature will significantly increase its lifespan as it will decrease the module surface area by enhancing complete output power. Your system will keep producing electricity at the expected capacity.
Complete Peace of Mind
Having solar system AMC services provide complete peace of mind regarding the proper functioning and energy production. A maintenance contract prevents the stress of regular cleaning and repair. Instead of maintenance tasks, you can focus on other core work.
Shortage of Timely O&M of Solar Systems? Rely on Professional Maintenance Services
The reputed solar system installation providing companies offer a wide range of services along with solar AMC contracts to ensure the efficient working of the system. They provide the complete assurance that solar systems will work at maximum production. They provide the engagement of solar annual maintenance contracts for frequent cleaning and maintenance of residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems.
AMC service providers can even customize a solar service contract to meet the individual requirements of your solar product. For example, if you get a service of solar street light installation, they will provide annual maintenance service specifically designed to ensure the optimum efficiency of solar street light for maximum power generation.
How much does Solar Annual Maintenance Contract Service Cost?
AMCs for solar systems are generally not highly costly because these systems usually need minimal maintenance. How much the annual maintenance will cost depend on the solar plant size, location, cleaning cycle, and more factors. The average AMC cost is INR 1000 per annum per kilowatt (KW).
FAQs on Solar Panel Annual Maintenance Contract
Can I maintain a solar panel myself without investing in Solar Panel AMC?
Once you install panels with the top solar installation company in India, you get a complete package, showcasing free maintenance frequency the company offers. Once the time period ends, you need to maintain the lifespan of solar panels with constant maintenance routines. For minor matters, you may do it yourself, like dusting, but you would need experts for major panel parts’ repair or replacements.
What factors should I consider before signing the Solar Panel AMC with companies?
Solar panel installation service providers provide complete solar services to customers, and customers need to check multiple factors, including brand reputation, experience & specializations, qualification of teams, scope of services offered, payment options, warranty coverage, and response time. The top-most solar system for commercial buildings in India like Megamax Solar provides all-in-one solutions to its customers.
What happens if installed panels got damaged during an AMC cleaning?
The top-rated solar panel installation company provides complete assistance as per contract. Further, they also carry liability insurance in case any panel parts get damaged during an AMC check. However, customers are advised to consult such scenarios before signing the contract.
Is Solar Panel AMC Worthwhile?
Customers who leverage the power of solar energy with panel installation find AMC beneficial. It gets them top-notch services that enhance and maintain the efficiency of installed panels which is helpful for long-term cost saving.
Conclusion
All in all, opting for an annual maintenance contract, in short AMC, is extremely important to ensure the optimal functioning, electrical generation, and longevity of your solar energy system. Be sure that you never attempt to repair, clean, or maintain solar systems yourself as any mistake can void the solar warranty.