How Much Does Solar Panel Repair Cost?

Common solar panel repairs and their costs

The cost of solar energy system repair can vary significantly, ranging from $100 to over $2,000, depending on the issue and its cause.

While you’ll only pay a couple hundred dollars for diagnostic visits and relatively common fixes  — such as monitoring issues, faulty wiring patches or damaged panel repairs — more serious issues like inverter replacements can easily exceed several thousand dollars.

Repair time varies similarly, ranging from a couple of hours for minor wiring patches to several weeks for extensive roofing or large-scale panel replacement jobs. The earlier you catch a panel or roofing issue, the better. The severity and associated repair costs tend to increase over time.

Repair types, costs and timelines

The table below outlines typical costs, what's included and how long each repair may take.

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Solar panel repair costs by type of problem

During a solar energy system’s expected 20- to 25-year lifetime, you may encounter various possible issues. These can range from minor and often inexpensive issues, such as monitoring system malfunctions and faulty wiring, to costlier problems like failing inverters or roof leaks.

Monitoring and communication issues

Fixing solar panel monitoring issues can cost anywhere from $50 to $500, depending on the cause. App and connectivity issues, like Wi-Fi drops, network instability or problems with your solar provider’s app, are quick fixes you can address yourself with routine troubleshooting.

Check Wi-Fi connections and app settings before paying a technician to troubleshoot monitoring issues.

Inverter software issues can also cause monitoring malfunctions. Your inverter’s firmware may be outdated, contain faulty code, or the system may be temporarily shut down. In these cases, you can usually fix the issue simply by updating your inverter app.

Hardware issues like damaged wiring and sensors can also interfere with monitoring. These require a technician to do a thorough inspection and may involve replacing parts, and they can take an hour or more to fix, pushing the cost toward the middle or high end of the $50 to $500 range.

Inverter problems and replacements

The solar panel inverter plays a critical role in the system, converting your panels’ DC electricity into AC electricity for your home. Solar panel inverter repairs can range from $150 to $700, and inverter replacements can range from $1,200 to $4,700. While many inverter issues require a full replacement, some minor issues only need repair.

Smaller inverter issues include loose or damaged wiring, communication problems, damaged cooling fans and firmware or software issues. These problems often cost only a few hundred dollars to fix.

Check for loose wiring or software issues before assuming your inverter needs replacing.

With larger issues like failed internal electronics, a failed microinverter or a discontinued part, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace the unit entirely in the long run. While replacements are costly, they’re an expected part of owning solar panels because inverters typically last only 10 to 15 years, compared to solar panels’ expected 25-year lifespan.

Wiring and connection faults

Wiring and connector issues are among the cheapest solar panel fixes, costing between $250 and $900. These issues can be caused by corroded MC4 connectors, dislodged wires, damaged wire insulation or critters chewing through your wires.

Wiring issues usually require a solar electrician, who can often fix them in a single visit, sometimes in as little as one hour.

Broken or cracked panel glass

Repair costs for broken or cracked panel glass vary widely, ranging from $0 to over $2,000 in extreme cases. This wide variance depends on the damage: it can range from a small DIY repair to a full panel replacement.

Small cracks may be temporarily sealed, but DIY fixes can reduce panel efficiency.

If the crack is very small, you can often seal it temporarily yourself with epoxy resin, silicone encapsulant or laminating film. However, these DIY methods risk reducing panel efficiency.

If the crack is large enough, experts usually recommend replacing the whole panel, which can cost $250 to $550 per panel. Depending on the crack, this can add thousands to your total.

Roof leaks near mounting points

Roof leaks caused by solar panel mounting can vary widely in cost, from $400 for cracked shingles to $15,000 for long-term wood rot. Catching the issue early can prevent it from getting out of hand, so watch for mold, a musty smell in your attic or water leaking from your solar installation site.

Solar-related roof leaks often result from poor installation: Improper sealing, incorrect flashing or cracked shingles. If your solar installer offers a workmanship warranty, this may cover part or all of the roofing repair. Otherwise, consult a roofing contractor rather than a solar company for the roofing fix.

Factors that affect solar panel repair costs

Beyond the nature of the issue itself, other factors about your solar panel system also influence your total cost — such as your panel’s size, location and your roof’s properties.

Here are some factors that can influence solar panel maintenance and repair costs:

• Roof access: Difficult-to-access roofs, such as those on multi-story homes or with complex solar panel setups, increase repair costs and often require more repair time.
• Roof pitch: Steeper roofs can also increase solar repair costs because they increase risk for technicians, require more care and often involve more work as techs try to find the optimal angle for solar panels.
• System size: In general, larger solar panel systems are costlier to maintain and repair. However, repair costs are more directly related to the damage, such as crack length or the number of cracked panels, than to system size.
• Inverter type: Your panels’ inverter type influences its lifespan and cost of repair or replacement. Microinverters have the longest lifespan and are relatively cheap, generally costing just $300 to $600 per inverter to replace. String inverters have shorter lifespans and can cost more than $1,500 to replace. 
• Labor rates: Solar technicians charge an hourly fee, so local labor rates affect what you pay for solar repairs. The national average for solar technicians is around $100 per hour.
• Travel fees: If your building is in a remote area that requires technicians to travel farther, this may increase your cost.

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Who pays for solar repairs?

Most solar providers offer a warranty for your panels, but coverage details vary by company. Further, the warranty may only cover particular aspects of your panels for specific lengths of time.

While warranties usually cover overall panel performance for 25 years, the inverter is usually covered for only 5 years, and workmanship coverage can range from one to 10 years. This, along with the cause of the damage, can complicate who pays for the repair and how much you owe.

Warranty coverage vs. out-of-pocket expenses

Here’s a breakdown of who typically pays for different types of solar panel damage and what may be covered. However, coverage and repair costs depend on your specific warranty or contract.

FAQ

Bottom line

Because solar panels have such a long lifespan, occasional damage and repairs are expected. Repairs for minor damage, like wiring and monitoring issues, may cost only a few hundred dollars, while less common but more serious issues, like inverter replacements, can exceed $1,500.

In general, the earlier you catch an issue, the better. That is why it’s important to monitor your system and schedule annual professional inspections to ensure your panel efficiency, wiring connections and mounting are working properly.