A solar system is a 25+ year investment. To get the full lifetime value, you occasionally need service, repairs, or routine maintenance to keep production where it should be, troubleshooting when something seems off, and warranty service when components fail.
North Texas Solar provides solar panel service, maintenance, and repair across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We service systems we installed, but we also service systems installed by other companies — including national installers who left the area, smaller installers who went out of business, and any other situation where you need a qualified Texas-based solar service provider.
Need solar service? Contact us for a free service evaluation or call us at (940) 387-2716.
The Three Types of Solar Service We Provide
Most service requests fall into one of these categories:
Routine Maintenance:
Scheduled inspections, cleaning, and performance verification to keep your system producing at peak efficiency. Most homeowners don’t realize their system is underperforming until they get a bill that doesn’t match the savings they expected. Regular maintenance can catch these types of issues before they become expensive problems.
Troubleshooting and Repair:
When something goes wrong — production drops, monitoring stops working, an inverter fails, a panel cracks, microinverters go offline — we diagnose the issue and fix it. We have experience with and service all major panel manufacturers and inverter brands.
Warranty Service:
When a component covered under warranty fails, we handle the repair or replacement and work with the manufacturer to invoke your warranty. This typically consists of submitting a claim to the manufacturer with supporting data, and requesting a replacement. If approved, the replacement will be shipped to you and we will handle swapping the part and returning the defective unit to the manufacturer.
Our Warranty Coverage
When you choose North Texas Solar for installation, you’re choosing some of the strongest warranties available:
- 25-year workmanship warranty covering our installation work — labor, mounting, electrical connections, sealing, and all installation craftsmanship
- Manufacturer warranties preserved — Tier-1 panels and major inverter brands carry their own 10-25 year warranties, which we make sure stay intact throughout the life of your system
- $25,000 third-party workmanship guarantee through our Good Contractors List membership
- Preferred pricing for any service or maintenance work after the warranty period
We stand firmly behind everything we install. Although warranty issues are rare with high-quality equipment installed correctly, when they do come up, we resolve them quickly. As a small, locally-owned business, we charge a minimal trip fee to cover the bare costs associated with sending a truck for warranty work — but the parts, materials, and labor under warranty are covered.
Routine Solar Panel Maintenance — What and How Often
Solar systems are remarkably low-maintenance compared to most home systems, but they’re not zero-maintenance. We recommend that system owners with monitoring capabilities routinely check their system production to catch any potential issues. For those without monitoring, it’s worth considering an annual maintenance visit to verify system health. Here’s what’s involved:
Performance verification. We check your monitoring data and compare actual production against expected production for the time of year. Persistent underperformance often points to a specific issue we can identify and fix.
Visual panel inspection. We look for visible damage, cracks, hot spots, discoloration, and any debris affecting performance. Hailstorms, falling branches, and even bird strikes can cause issues that aren’t obvious from the ground.
Electrical connection check. Connections can loosen over the years, especially with temperature cycling. We verify integrity at junction boxes, conduit runs, and inverter connections.
Inverter health check. Inverters are typically the most failure-prone component in a solar system. We check error logs, efficiency curves, and any signs of impending failure.
Cleaning (if warranted). In most DFW installations, panel cleaning isn’t necessary annually — rain handles most of it. But if there’s significant soiling from pollen, wildfire ash, or persistent dust, we’ll clean the array.
Mounting hardware check. We verify mounting bolts and brackets, especially after major storm events.
Monitoring system verification. If your monitoring app isn’t reporting correctly or you’ve lost visibility into the system, we’ll diagnose and fix the issue.
Most maintenance visits take 1-2 hours and surface issues before they become major problems. For commercial systems, larger residential installations, or off-grid systems, more frequent inspections may be appropriate.
Common Solar Issues We Troubleshoot and Repair
We’ve seen virtually every kind of solar system issue. These are some of the most common we handle:
Inverter failure: Standard string inverters typically last 10-15 years; microinverters 20-25 years. When an inverter fails, the symptom is usually a sudden drop in production or a complete shutdown. We diagnose the specific failure, source replacement parts, and complete the repair.
Microinverter or optimizer failures: Single panel-level optimizer or microinverter failures often appear as one panel underperforming compared to the rest. We can identify which unit failed using the monitoring system and replace it.
Panel damage from hail, storms, or impacts: Visible cracks, broken glass, or significantly underperforming panels often need replacement. We can test individual panels electrically to identify damage that isn’t visible.
Production drops without obvious cause: Sometimes a system just isn’t producing what it should. The cause might be inverter degradation, hidden panel damage, shading from new tree growth, electrical connection issues, or several other factors. We diagnose and fix.
Monitoring app issues: Loss of monitoring data, disconnected gateway, app login problems, or system showing offline. Often a quick fix involving the monitoring hardware or your home network.
Battery system issues: For homes with Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, or other battery storage, we service backup-related issues including failure to engage during outages, capacity degradation, charging problems, or communication faults.
Critter damage: Squirrels and birds can damage wiring under panels or nest in the array. We repair the damage and install critter guards to prevent recurrence.
Roof leaks at panel mounts: Rare but possible, especially on older installations. We diagnose, fix the leak, and re-seal mounting points.
Permit and code compliance issues: Sometimes a system installed by a previous company doesn’t meet current code or wasn’t properly permitted. We can correct these issues and bring the system into compliance.
Service for Systems Installed by Other Companies
A significant share of our service work is on solar and or battery systems we didn’t originally install. Common reasons system owners contact us:
- Their original installer went out of business: Very common in the solar industry — many installers have closed over the years, leaving customers with no service path. We pick up where they left off.
- National installer left the Texas market: In our 10+ years in business, we’ve seen several large national installers enter and then exit the Texas market. Their customers are left needing a local service provider.
- The original installer is unresponsive: When the original installer is technically still operating but won’t return calls or honor warranty claims, customers come to us.
- They want a second opinion: Sometimes a homeowner is being quoted unreasonable prices for service or repair work by their original installer and wants an independent evaluation.
For systems we didn’t install, our process is similar but starts with a thorough evaluation. We document the existing system’s configuration, identify any pre-existing issues, and provide an honest assessment of what’s needed. We’re transparent about which manufacturer warranties might still be active and how to navigate them.
We charge a standard service fee for diagnostic and repair work on systems from other installers — but it’s a fair, transparent rate that’s almost always less than what national installers would charge for the same work.
What to Do If Your Solar Production Drops
If you’re noticing that your system isn’t producing what it used to, here’s our typical diagnostic approach:
Step 1: Check your monitoring app first. Compare current production to historical data for the same time of year. A 5-10% drop year-over-year can be normal degradation. A 20%+ drop usually indicates a specific issue.
Step 2: Look at individual panel data (if you have microinverters or optimizers). If one or two panels are showing significantly lower output than the rest, you’ve localized the issue. If all panels are down proportionally, it’s typically an inverter or system-wide issue.
Step 3: Check for obvious physical issues. New tree growth shading the array, debris accumulation, visible panel damage, displaced mounting hardware after a storm. Another common issue is a tripped breaker where your solar is connected. **IF A BREAKER KEEPS TRIPPING AFTER YOU RESET IT, DO NOT KEEP TURNING IT ON. CALL A ELECTRICAL PROFESSIONAL**
Step 4: Verify your electric bill against actual production. Sometimes the “drop in production” is actually a change in your home usage, a billing issue with your utility, or a change in electric plan.
Step 5: Contact us for a diagnostic visit. If steps 1-4 don’t surface an obvious cause, we’ll come out, test the system, identify the root cause, and provide a repair quote.
Solar Inverter Service Specifically
Inverters convert your panels’ DC electricity to AC for your home. They’re the most failure-prone component in a typical solar system and worth their own discussion.
Common inverter brands we service:
- Enphase microinverters (IQ7, IQ8 series and earlier)
- SolarEdge string inverters and power optimizers
- SMA, Fronius, and other string inverter brands
- Sol-Ark and EG4 hybrid inverters (common in off-grid and battery installations)
- Tesla (built into Powerwall 3)
Common inverter issues:
- Complete failure — system shuts down, no production
- Reduced output — inverter running but at reduced capacity
- Error codes — visible on the inverter display or in the monitoring app
- Overheating — inverter cycling on and off
- Communication failures — monitoring data stops flowing
For warranty-eligible failures, we coordinate with the manufacturer to get the replacement under warranty. For older inverters out of warranty, we can replace with newer equipment — sometimes upgrading to better technology like microinverters in the process.
Commercial Solar Maintenance
Commercial solar systems have different maintenance requirements than residential. Larger arrays, more complex electrical setups, higher production stakes, and often more critical roles in operating expenses for the business.
We provide commercial solar maintenance contracts that typically include:
- Quarterly or semi-annual on-site inspections
- Performance monitoring and reporting
- Priority service response for production issues
- Annual electrical and structural inspections
- Cleaning when needed
- Inverter and equipment health monitoring
Learn more about our commercial solar services.
Service Areas Across Dallas-Fort Worth
We provide solar maintenance, repair, and warranty service across the DFW Metroplex including Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Mansfield, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Lewisville, Irving, Allen, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Colleyville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Argyle, Justin, Celina, Prosper, Wylie, Bedford, North Richland Hills, and dozens of other DFW cities. Contact us to confirm service in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you service solar systems installed by other companies?
Yes. A significant share of our service work is on systems installed by other companies — including installers who’ve gone out of business, national installers who left the Texas market, and homeowners whose original installer is unresponsive. We’re an established Texas-based solar service provider and we’ll service nearly any residential or commercial solar system in DFW.
How often does a solar system need maintenance?
Most residential solar systems benefit from annual maintenance visits to verify production, check connections, inspect for damage, and catch issues before they become expensive. Commercial systems typically warrant quarterly or semi-annual visits depending on size and complexity.
My solar production has dropped — what does it cost to diagnose?
We charge a standard service call fee for diagnostic visits, which typically covers an hour or so of on-site work to identify the root cause. If we identify an issue under warranty (yours or a manufacturer’s), the diagnostic fee may be waived. We provide a clear repair quote before any work begins.
Do I need to clean my solar panels?
Usually not in DFW. Rain handles most cleaning naturally. If you’ve had wildfire smoke deposit ash on your panels, heavy pollen seasons, or persistent dust from nearby construction, cleaning can help. We include cleaning as part of maintenance visits when warranted.
My inverter is making weird noises — should I be worried?
Yes, schedule a service visit. Inverter noises usually indicate fan issues, overheating, internal component degradation, or impending failure. Catching this before complete failure can save time and money.
Can you service my Tesla Powerwall or other battery system?
Yes. We’re a Tesla Certified Installer and service Tesla Powerwall 3 systems as part of our regular service offerings. We also service Enphase IQ Battery, EG4, Sol-Ark, and other major battery storage systems.
My solar panels were damaged by hail — what do I do?
Document the damage with photos (if it’s safe to do so from the ground), file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance, and contact us. For insurance-driven repair or replacement work, we provide insurance-ready documentation and work directly with adjusters. If panels need replacement, your insurance typically covers that. Learn more about storm damage and solar.
How long do solar panels last?
Quality solar panels are warrantied for 25+ years of performance and typically continue producing useful electricity for 30+ years. Production gradually declines (typically 0.5% per year), but the panels keep generating throughout. Inverters usually need replacement once during the system’s life — every 10-15 years for string inverters, 20-25+ for microinverters.
What if my system is more than 10 years old?
We service systems of all ages. Older systems sometimes have different considerations — older inverter technology, components that may be discontinued, or equipment that’s nearing end-of-life. We provide an honest assessment of whether the system is worth maintaining as-is, upgrading, or eventually replacing.
Do you have an emergency service line for solar issues?
We respond as quickly as possible to all service requests. For true emergencies (active fire, smoke from electrical equipment), call 911 first, then us. For non-emergency service requests, we typically respond within one business day and schedule on-site work within a few days to a week depending on current demand.
Get a Free Solar Service Quote
Whether your solar system needs routine maintenance, you’re troubleshooting a specific issue, or you have a warranty question on a system from any installer, we’d be glad to help. The initial conversation is free, the diagnosis is honest, and we provide clear repair quotes before any work begins.
Call us at (940) 387-2716 or request a free service quote online.
We’re a locally-owned solar installer and service provider based in Fort Worth, serving Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners and businesses since 2015. Tesla Certified Installer, Good Contractors List member, BBB-accredited. 25-year workmanship and parts warranties on everything we install.
