Visual solar panel check

A visual check of your solar panels during cleaning: cracked glass, slipped panels, loose cables, nesting and shading flagged for your installer.

In short: A visual panel check is a look over the array during a clean for visible problems such as cracked glass, slipped panels, loose or hanging cables, nesting and new shading. It suits owners who rarely see their panels up close. It is not an electrical inspection, and it is usually included with a clean rather than charged separately.

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Most people never see their panels closely once the installer leaves, and problems can go unnoticed for years. A cleaner on a long pole, or at roof level for proofing, gets a far better view than you can from the garden. Common findings include cracked or shattered glass from impacts or stress, panels that have shifted on their rails, cables hanging loose or rubbing against tiles, nesting material under the array and branches that have grown to shade the panels.

The check is visual only. A cleaner is not qualified to test the system electrically, open junction boxes or diagnose inverter faults, and should not try to. What a visual check does is give you a clear, early list of anything worth passing to your installer or an electrician, ideally with photos. For electrical testing, MCS-certified installers and qualified electricians can carry out inspections of the system and its wiring.

What is included

A look over each panel for cracked, chipped or shattered glass
Checks for panels that have slipped, lifted or moved on their mounting rails
Spotting cables that are loose, hanging, rubbing on tiles or damaged by birds or squirrels
Signs of nesting, droppings or debris under the array
Shading from new growth, aerials, satellite dishes or neighbouring extensions
Discolouration or browning on cells that may suggest a hot spot
Photos and a short summary of anything found, where access allows

Who it is for

Owners whose panels have not been looked at closely since installation
Systems where generation has fallen without an obvious reason
Homes after storms, hail or nearby building work
Buyers or sellers of a house with solar who want a quick visual overview
Landlords who need to know the condition of panels on rental properties

How much does it cost?

As a guide, a visual check is usually included with a clean at no separate charge. A full electrical inspection or fault-finding visit by a solar installer or electrician is a different service, often costing around £100 to £250. See our full cost guide.

How it works

Look before cleaning

The array is checked before washing so existing damage is noted and not disturbed.

Check during the clean

Clean glass shows cracks, browning and frame damage that dirt can hide, so the panels are looked at again once washed.

Note and photograph

Anything of concern is recorded, with photos where the angle and access allow.

Pass it on

You get a plain summary, and anything needing attention is flagged for your installer, an electrician or a roofer.

Visual solar panel check: FAQs

Is a visual check the same as a solar panel service?

No. A visual check looks for visible problems on the panels and around the array. A full service by a solar installer or electrician usually includes electrical testing of the panels, cabling, isolators and inverter, plus checks on the mounting system. A visual check is a useful early warning, but it cannot confirm the system is electrically safe or performing correctly.

What should I do if a panel is cracked?

Do not touch the panel or clean it, and keep people away from any hanging cables. Contact your installer, or an MCS-certified installer or electrician if the original company has gone. A cracked panel may still generate, but water can get into it over time, which can cause faults. Check whether the damage is covered by your panel warranty or home insurance.

What are hot spots on solar panels?

A hot spot is an area of a panel that runs much hotter than the rest, often caused by a damaged cell, a faulty connection or persistent shading such as a bird dropping. Over time it can cause browning, burn marks or damage to the backsheet. A visual check may spot discolouration, but confirming hot spots needs a thermal imaging survey by a specialist.

Can a visual check explain low generation?

Sometimes. Heavy soiling, shading from new growth or a slipped panel are all visible causes. But many causes of low output are not visible from outside, such as inverter faults, tripped isolators, failed optimisers or wiring problems. If the panels are clean and look fine but output has dropped, check the inverter display for error codes and contact your installer.