Does solar need upkeep in Singapore’s climate?
Yes, some. Humidity, UV, and haze leave residue on panels that quietly cuts output if nobody checks on it. It is not expensive or complicated, but it is real, and it is separate from what your warranty actually covers.
Read the fine print
What a warranty covers, and what it quietly doesn’t.
Most landed-home solar warranties are really three separate warranties stacked together. Knowing which is which tells you what’s actually protected, and what falls on regular upkeep instead.
Usually covered
- Manufacturing defects in the panels themselves (product warranty, often 10-25 years)
- Output dropping below the guaranteed curve over time (performance warranty)
- Faulty installation work -- loose mounting, bad wiring (workmanship warranty, often shorter)
Usually not covered
- Output loss from dirt, haze residue, or biological growth -- that's on upkeep, not warranty
- Roof leaks, unless the installer specifically offers a roof-leak warranty (uncommon, and usually shorter than the panel warranty)
- Damage from a third party, like renovation work after installation
Exact terms vary by manufacturer and installer. Ask for the warranty document itself, not just a verbal summary, before you sign anything.
Common questions
Upkeep and warranty, answered.
Yes, more than in cooler, drier climates. Singapore's humidity, UV, and haze leave residue and biological growth on panels that gradually blocks sunlight. An unmaintained system can lose meaningful output within a few years. A periodic clean and check keeps it close to its rated performance.
Three different things, often confused as one: a product warranty (defects), a performance warranty (output staying above a guaranteed curve), and a workmanship warranty (the installer's own work). Dirt-related output loss and most roof leaks fall outside all three. Ask your installer specifically what each warranty excludes before you sign.
Roughly every 12 to 18 months for most landed homes, more often near construction dust, heavy tree cover, or after the haze season. Your installer or a panel-cleaning service can confirm a schedule suited to your specific roof.
Most tier-1 panels carry a 25-year performance warranty guaranteeing output does not fall below a specified curve, commonly 80 to 84 percent of rated output at year 25. Year-on-year degradation is usually capped at 0.5 to 0.7 percent. Check the specific guarantee percentage and the degradation rate in the warranty document, not just the warranty length.
You pay for a replacement. An inverter suitable for a 10 to 20 kWp landed home system costs roughly S$1,500 to S$3,500 installed, depending on brand and size. String inverters typically last 10 to 15 years; microinverters often carry 25-year warranties but cost more upfront. Budget one replacement over the system's 25-year life.
Partially. Rain removes loose dust but leaves behind residue from humidity, haze, and biological growth such as mould and lichen. These bind to the panel surface and require physical cleaning to remove. Panels that rely on rain alone typically show measurable output loss within 18 to 24 months in Singapore's climate.
Possibly. Most Singapore home building policies treat solar panels as part of the building structure and include them in fire and storm cover. Check your policy schedule for coverage and exclusions, particularly around wear and tear. Damage from a storm or falling object is usually covered; gradual degradation is not. Notify your insurer when you install to confirm coverage.
