Cost of maintenance with renewable systems

Mcfi5dhc

All, there is lots of talk on here about the cost of maintaining renewable systems like PV, but I can't recall anyone actually saying they have paid out for any maintenance.

Therefore, if you have any kind of renewable microgeneration at home or work please would you mind sharing your experience of the maintenance (both costs and what goes wrong, if anything).

I'll start the ball rolling:
PV Solar
Installed 18 months ago at home
Zero maintenance costs so far

Also, does your system meet or exceed the installers estimated output? Mine was above for the first year.

Many thanks

Cardew

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2039767&highlight=solar

daytona600_2

pv maintenance free
some still work from the 1960s and satellites are pv powered
5- 25 years warranty on inverters
5-10 years warranty on panels with 25 years + design life

if on flat roofs will require some cleaning
on pitched roofs rain will clean the panels
power does decrease after 10/12 years - but should be guaranted

off grid - batteries weak link after 5-10 years
all these comments are on solar pv electric
not pv thermal or pv-t

nk belowUOTE=Mcfi5dhc;discussion/2100951]All, there is lots of talk on here about the cost of maintaining renewable systems like PV, but I can't recall anyone actually saying they have paid out for any maintenance.

Therefore, if you have any kind of renewable microgeneration at home or work please would you mind sharing your experience of the maintenance (both costs and what goes wrong, if anything).

I'll start the ball rolling:
PV Solar
Installed 18 months ago at home
Zero maintenance costs so far

Also, does your system meet or exceed the installers estimated output? Mine was above for the first year.

Many thanks[/QUOTE]

albyota

Air to water heat pump, it has been fitted just over a year now, no maintanance required at all. Nuff Sed.....and yes it is classed as a renewable appliance...Energy Saving Trust, LCBP, DECC, MCS approved

yakky58

I have both PV and DHW (solar hot water).

PV fitted 3.5 years ago. Zero maintenance costs.

DWH fitted 3.5 years ago.
1) Expansion tank failed company replaced for free did take some time to convince them it was broken but they replaced for free and fitted a larger one. Down time 1 month.
2) The evacuated tubes were replaced free of charge due to manufacturing defect that the company told me about. they came and replaced for free in a day.

Other than that no issues whatsoever.

I do clean the PV panels 2x a year to ensure maximum efficiency.