Rooftop Solar Maintenance and Warranty 2026: CMC Guide

Maintenance, CMC and Warranty Guide

Rooftop Solar Maintenance and Warranty Under PM Surya Ghar 2026

Understand the five-year comprehensive maintenance obligation, system and component warranties, module-performance terms, cleaning, monitoring, fault reporting, warranty claims and long-term maintenance after the vendor’s CMC ends.

Last Updated: July 25, 2026

Quick Answer: A registered PM Surya Ghar vendor must provide repairs and maintenance free of cost for five years of the Comprehensive Maintenance Contract period beginning from the date of commissioning. During that period, non-performing or under-performing system components must be repaired or replaced free of cost under the scheme guideline, and the consumer must receive the applicable OEM warranty documents. The model vendor-consumer agreement also describes a five-year complete-system warranty and five years of comprehensive operation and maintenance, including overhauling, wear and tear and periodic health checks. These obligations are different from a solar module’s longer output-performance warranty. A “25-year module warranty” normally does not mean that the vendor will provide free cleaning, free inverter replacement or free labour for the whole plant for 25 years.

Do not accept a single line saying “25-year warranty”. Ask for separate written documents covering the five-year vendor CMC, complete-system warranty, module product warranty, module output-performance warranty, inverter warranty, structure warranty and every labour, travel and replacement exclusion.

Rooftop Solar Warranty Map: Do Not Mix These Terms

Protection	Who normally gives it?	What it may cover	What it does not automatically cover
Five-year CMC	Registered vendor	Scheme-required repair and maintenance, including repair or replacement of non-performing or under-performing components during the period	Any service not defined in the agreement after the five-year period
Complete-system warranty	Vendor under the model agreement	Complete system for five years from DISCOM commissioning	Long-term output guarantee for every module beyond its written terms
Module product warranty	Module manufacturer	Specified manufacturing and material defects	Normal output degradation within the performance curve
Module performance warranty	Module manufacturer	Minimum output level over stated years, subject to claim terms and testing	Free cleaning, free inverter or guaranteed electricity bill savings
Inverter product warranty	Inverter manufacturer or authorised channel	Specified electronic or manufacturing failures	Surge, water, unauthorised repair or excluded environmental damage
Structure or workmanship warranty	Vendor, fabricator or manufacturer	Specified corrosion, fabrication, fastening or installation defects	Building movement, unauthorised alteration or extraordinary events unless stated
Insurance	Insurer when separately purchased	Named insured events according to policy	Normal wear, poor maintenance or unlisted events

Warranty duration alone is incomplete. The written claim route, labour, transport, removal, reinstallation, testing, replacement model and response time can matter more than the headline number of years.

What the Official Five-Year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract Means

PM Surya Ghar residential CFA guidelines place a five-year service obligation on registered vendors from the commissioning date. The model agreement describes five years of comprehensive operation and maintenance, including overhauling, wear and tear and regular system-health checks at appropriate intervals.

Free Repair and Maintenance

Registered vendors are required to provide repair and maintenance services free of cost during the five-year CMC period.

Repair or Replacement

Non-performing or under-performing system components are to be repaired or replaced free of cost during the CMC period.

OEM Warranty Handover

The consumer must receive manufacturer warranty documents for future replacement claims.

Consumer Education

The vendor must educate the consumer on maintenance and safety and provide appropriate informational material.

Write the visit frequency and cleaning responsibility into the agreement. Although the scheme requires comprehensive maintenance, the model agreement also expects the consumer to provide roof access, electricity and water and asks the vendor to educate the consumer on cleaning. Do not leave routine cleaning labour, travel charges or preventive-visit frequency ambiguous.

Related planning checks: Confirm the original plant size through the home solar system-size guide , verify installation architecture with the on-grid versus off-grid guide , and calculate the correct subsidy using the PM Surya Ghar subsidy guide .

Consumer Responsibilities During the Warranty Period

The model agreement does not make the consumer passive. It expects the consumer to provide safe roof access for installation, operation, maintenance, testing and meter reading; provide electricity during installation and water for panel cleaning; and report plant malfunction during the warranty period.

Provide safe and reasonable access to the roof, inverter and meter.
Keep the area free from new obstructions and unsafe storage.
Provide cleaning water where the agreement requires it.
Report alarms, shutdowns, damage and low output promptly.
Do not open electrical boxes or modify protection settings.
Do not permit unauthorised third-party repair during warranty.
Preserve invoice, serial, warranty and service records.
Follow the written cleaning and shutdown procedure.
Notify the vendor before roof repair or construction near the array.
Check whether major component replacement needs portal or DISCOM updating.

Delayed fault reporting can increase damage. A small water leak, loose cable, repeated inverter alarm or cracked module should not wait until annual maintenance.

Registered Vendor Responsibilities During Five Years

Provide free repair and maintenance services during the CMC.
Repair or replace non-performing or under-performing components during the period.
Provide OEM warranty certificates to the consumer.
Help the consumer claim manufacturer warranty where future replacement is needed.
Rectify system-quality or component deficiencies causing non-commissioning or non-disbursal of CFA.
Maintain the system according to minimum technical specifications.
Provide operation and maintenance manuals and troubleshooting procedures.
Educate the consumer on safe cleaning and maintenance.
Record component replacement and update serial records.
Provide service reports and escalation contacts.

Verify that the company remains traceable through the PM Surya Ghar registered-vendor guide .

Vendor CMC and manufacturer warranty work together. The vendor should not simply give the consumer a manufacturer helpline and refuse all assistance during the scheme-required CMC period.

Solar-Module Product and Performance Warranty

The official technical specification separates module defect warranty from long-term output requirements. It states that module nominal output should remain above 97% during the first year, with degradation below 0.5% per year, above 90% during the first ten years and above 80% during the next fifteen years. It also specifies a manufacturer warranty of at least five years against identified manufacturing and material defects and non-conformity caused by faulty manufacturing or inspection.

Module protection	Official minimum or requirement described in the scheme specification	Consumer evidence
First-year output	Nominal output above 97% during the first year	Manufacturer performance document and test conditions
Annual degradation	Below 0.5% per annum in the stated specification	Written degradation curve
First ten years	Nominal output above 90% at STC	Performance warranty and accepted test method
Next fifteen years	Nominal output above 80% at STC	Long-term performance terms
Manufacturing and material defects	Manufacturer warranty not less than five years from commissioning	Product warranty, invoice and module serial

Preserve domestic-content and model records using the PM Surya Ghar DCR module guide .

Performance warranty claims require evidence. A lower electricity bill or one cloudy month does not prove module degradation. The claim may require calibrated module testing, normalised generation analysis or another manufacturer-approved procedure.

Solar-Inverter Warranty and Service Downtime

An inverter can stop most or all plant generation when it fails. The vendor must hand over the applicable OEM warranty, while the consumer should check whether labour, transport, replacement equipment, communication devices and on-site service are included.

Inverter warranty question	Why it matters
Exact model and serial registered?	Prevents rejection because another model was invoiced or installed
Warranty starts from invoice or commissioning?	Can change the effective service period
On-site or carry-in service?	Determines removal, transport and labour responsibility
Replacement or repair?	Controls downtime and whether a temporary unit is available
Communication dongle included?	Monitoring can fail even when power conversion continues
Surge or water exclusions?	Protection and installation defects can create disputed claims
Extended warranty available?	Can reduce post-CMC electronic-replacement risk
Local authorised service?	Long travel and part delays can reduce annual savings

Check equipment and warranty details with the solar-inverter selection guide .

Mounting-Structure and Cable Life

The technical specification says the mounting structure should withstand operating environmental conditions for a minimum of 25 years and should allow module replacement, repair and cleaning. It also states that cable selection should be compatible with the life of solar panels, described as 25 years.

Structure Checks

Corrosion, loose fasteners, damaged coatings, movement, foundation cracks, roof leakage and unsafe elevation.

Cable Checks

UV damage, loose support, water contact, pest damage, cracked conduit, connector heating and label loss.

Roof Interface

Waterproofing, drains, tiles, purlins, ballast movement and safe access after storms.

Warranty Gap

A 25-year design-life requirement does not automatically equal a free 25-year labour and replacement warranty.

Compare the installed roof layout with the rooftop-area and access guide .

How to Clean Rooftop Solar Modules Safely

Follow the vendor and module-manufacturer cleaning instructions.
Use safe roof access and fall protection where required.
Clean during a cooler period rather than on very hot glass.
Use suitable clean water and soft non-abrasive tools.
Avoid stepping, sitting or placing weight on modules.
Do not use metal scrapers, abrasive powder or harsh unapproved chemicals.
Keep high-pressure water away from junction boxes, connectors and inverter openings.
Do not pull or move rooftop cables while cleaning.
Check drains and cable supports while the roof is accessible.
Stop and contact the vendor if glass, frame, cable or connector damage is found.

Do not clean a dangerous roof yourself. Wet surfaces, roof edges, fragile sheets and nearby electrical equipment can make professional cleaning necessary.

How Often Should Solar Panels Be Cleaned?

There is no nationwide fixed cleaning frequency suitable for every home. Dust, rainfall, bird activity, construction, pollution, module tilt, water quality and safe roof access all affect the interval.

Site condition	Planning approach	What to monitor
Regular rain and moderate dust	Inspect periodically and clean when soiling affects output or appearance	Generation trend and visible deposits
Dry, dusty or roadside location	More frequent inspection and cleaning may be needed	Fast output reduction between cleanings
Bird droppings or sticky deposits	Remove promptly using approved safe methods	Localised persistent shade and staining
Construction nearby	Temporarily increase inspection frequency	Cement or abrasive dust accumulation
Unsafe or fragile roof	Use trained professionals and planned access	Fall and roof-damage risk
Hard-water location	Avoid leaving mineral deposits; use approved water practice	White spotting or scale

Use generation data instead of a rigid calendar alone. Compare output with weather, season and previous clean periods before blaming dust for every reduction.

Use Monitoring to Detect Under-Performance Early

Review daily generation for complete shutdown or unusual gaps.
Compare monthly generation with the same season, not only the previous month.
Check MPPT or string values where available.
Save inverter alarms and error codes before restarting.
Compare solar generation with grid import and export.
Record maintenance, cleaning and outage dates.
Check whether internet failure is hiding data while the inverter still operates.
Use the commissioning estimate as a reference, not a guaranteed daily output.
Escalate repeated unexplained losses during CMC.

Enter actual annual results in the PM Surya Ghar savings calculator .

Weather-normalise before alleging warranty failure. Cloud, seasonal sun angle, grid outage, shade and temperature can change generation even when every component is healthy.

Illustrative Annual Rooftop Solar Maintenance Calendar

Adapt the calendar to weather, roof access, vendor CMC and manufacturer instructions. It is not an official compulsory monthly schedule.

JanuaryReview previous-year generation, warranties and unresolved alarms.

FebruaryInspect visible dust, module damage and cable support.

MarchCheck inverter ventilation before hotter weather.

AprilReview heat derating, fan or cooling behaviour and rooftop safety.

MayCheck surge protection, earthing records and storm readiness.

JuneInspect waterproofing, drains and cable penetrations before or during monsoon.

JulyCheck leakage, standing water and weather damage after heavy rain.

AugustReview vegetation, bird nests and corrosion.

SeptemberCompare monsoon generation and check persistent alarms.

OctoberClean or inspect after the wet season where needed.

NovemberCheck fasteners, labels, conduit and module frames.

DecemberRequest annual vendor health report and plan next year’s service.

Qualified-person tasks should not be converted into DIY chores. Opening electrical equipment, tightening live terminals, insulation testing and earthing measurement require trained personnel.

Common Solar Faults and the Consumer’s First Response

Symptom	Safe first check	When to contact the vendor
No generation	Check whether the grid is available and note inverter display or app status	Immediately when normal grid and sunlight exist but the plant remains off
Repeated inverter fault	Save the exact error code and time	Do not repeatedly reset without vendor guidance
Sudden generation drop	Check weather, new shade, grid outage and visible soiling	When the loss persists or one string appears abnormal
Broken or cracked module	Keep people away and photograph from a safe location	Immediately; do not touch or wash it
Burning smell, heat or smoke	Use only the documented safe shutdown procedure if safe	Emergency service and vendor immediately
Roof leak near structure	Photograph the location and protect the indoor area safely	Vendor and roof professional before drilling or moving the structure
Monitoring offline	Check home internet and whether local inverter generation continues	When data access or communication hardware remains faulty
Loose cable or connector	Do not touch; prevent access	Urgently through trained service personnel

How to Make a Rooftop Solar Warranty or CMC Claim

Identify whether the claim is vendor CMC, system warranty or OEM component warranty.
Record the date, symptom, inverter alarm, generation and photographs.
Locate the invoice, commissioning date, model and serial number.
Report the fault through a traceable written channel.
Request a ticket number and expected visit or response time.
Do not authorise an excluded paid repair before receiving the written diagnosis.
Obtain the technician’s test values and service report.
When a component is removed, record both old and replacement serials.
Obtain the repaired or replaced component warranty status in writing.
Escalate to manufacturer, National Portal grievance or legal channel when necessary.

Useful fault-report subject:
PM Surya Ghar CMC Claim – Application ID – Consumer Name – System Size – Fault Date

Keep communication factual. State the observed symptom and evidence rather than diagnosing an electrical fault yourself.

Evidence That Protects a Warranty Claim

National Portal application ID
Commissioning and DISCOM inspection date
GST invoice and payment receipts
Signed vendor agreement and CMC scope
Module and inverter warranty certificates
Module and inverter model and serial numbers
Final roof layout and electrical single-line diagram
Commissioning and test report
Monitoring screenshots and exported data
Fault photographs and video
Cleaning and maintenance records
Service-ticket numbers and technician reports
Replacement serial and invoice or challan
Emails, messages and grievance acknowledgements

Keep these with the PM Surya Ghar document checklist .

Common Warranty Exclusions to Check Before Purchase

Unauthorised Repair

Opening or modifying equipment outside the approved service route can void cover.

Water or Flood Damage

Claims can be disputed when the installation location violates product instructions.

Surge or Lightning Damage

Manufacturer terms may exclude events or require compliant protection.

Physical Impact

Falling objects, stepping on modules or construction damage may be excluded.

Pest Damage

Rodent, bird or insect damage may need prevention and separate insurance.

Improper Cleaning

Abrasive tools, harsh chemicals or thermal shock can damage modules.

Grid Conditions

Repeated abnormal voltage or frequency may be treated differently under product terms.

Labour and Transport

A part warranty may not include removal, shipment or reinstallation after CMC.

Do not rely on verbal exclusions or inclusions. Every important promise should be part of the signed agreement or OEM warranty document.

What to Check When a Module or Inverter Is Replaced

Old manufacturer, model and serial number
Reason and test evidence for replacement
New manufacturer, model, capacity and serial number
DCR and current applicable module eligibility
Electrical compatibility with existing strings and MPPTs
Inverter phase, rating and protection compatibility
Updated roof serial map and single-line diagram
Replacement warranty start and remaining term
Portal or DISCOM update where required
Return, disposal or custody of the failed component

Physical and record consistency is also discussed in the PM Surya Ghar DISCOM inspection guide .

A replacement does not need to create an undocumented mixed system. The vendor should explain technical compatibility and update all records.

What If the Vendor Closes or Stops Responding?

Check the vendor profile and registered contact on the National Portal.
Send a written CMC claim to the company’s official email and address.
Contact the component OEM using the warranty serial and invoice.
Raise a National Portal grievance and preserve the tracking number.
Contact the DISCOM or State implementing agency for the official vendor record.
Use another qualified service provider only after preserving evidence and warranty implications.
Escalate through consumer-protection or legal channels when contractual obligations are not met.

Check open status and grievance records through the PM Surya Ghar application-status guide .

OEM warranty can survive a vendor dispute, but the claim route may become harder. That is why serial registration and original invoices should be held by the consumer.

Maintenance After the Five-Year CMC Ends

The end of the vendor CMC does not mean the system should be replaced. It means the consumer needs a post-CMC service plan while continuing to use any longer OEM warranties that remain valid.

Year-Five Condition Report

Request a complete inspection, generation review, test report and list of remaining warranties before CMC expiry.

Post-CMC Service Contract

Compare preventive visits, emergency response, labour, travel and testing scope.

Replacement Reserve

Keep a financial reserve for inverter, communication, protection and roof work.

Warranty Continuity

Do not let an unauthorised repair invalidate remaining OEM warranty.

Save the final CMC service and test report.
List each component’s remaining warranty end date.
Export monitoring data before changing service accounts.
Confirm who owns app, portal and communication credentials.
Choose a technically qualified post-CMC service provider.
Keep changes documented for future DISCOM or insurance needs.

Long-Term Maintenance Cost Planning

A sensible savings model includes costs that may occur after included CMC. The exact amount varies, so this article does not publish one universal annual cost.

Potential cost	Planning question
Professional cleaning	Is the roof unsafe, difficult or frequently soiled?
Preventive inspection	What electrical tests and mechanical checks are included?
Inverter repair or replacement	What warranty remains, and are labour and transport covered?
Monitoring equipment	Will a dongle, router, SIM or platform subscription need replacement?
Protection devices	Can surge protection, breaker or isolator need replacement after an event?
Roof repair	Will modules need temporary removal and reinstallation?
Insurance	Is storm, fire, theft or third-party damage covered?
Battery replacement	For hybrid systems, what cycle life and replacement cost apply?

Update long-term assumptions in the savings calculator and review finance obligations in the solar-loan guide .

Performance Ratio and Generation Guarantees

The model agreement states that plant Performance Ratio should be 75% at DISCOM commissioning and that the vendor must maintain the plant PR during the five-year project warranty. PR is a technical measure that normalises output against solar irradiation and other factors; it is not simply annual units divided by module kW.

Useful Performance Evidence

Calibrated irradiation, module temperature, inverter data, outages and test conditions.

Weak Performance Evidence

A single low bill, cloudy week or comparison with another city.

Vendor Estimate

Should state location, shade, orientation, loss and weather assumptions.

Consumer Record

Monthly generation, grid outage, cleaning, alarm and maintenance history.

Do not confuse PR with inverter efficiency or module warranty. Each has a different definition and test method.

Safety Rules During Maintenance

Use qualified personnel for electrical inspection and repair.
Follow the documented shutdown and isolation sequence.
Treat module DC circuits as live in daylight.
Use fall protection and safe access on roofs.
Do not work during rain, lightning, high wind or unsafe heat.
Do not disconnect DC connectors under load without approved procedure.
Keep unauthorised persons away from exposed equipment.
Use manufacturer-approved replacement parts and connectors.
Restore labels, guards, covers and seals after service.
Retest the system before returning it to operation.

Installation and shutdown principles are covered in the PM Surya Ghar installation-process guide .

Do not use a general electrician unfamiliar with grid-connected solar for high-voltage DC work. Rooftop PV requires suitable training, tools and procedures.

Maintenance and Warranty Clauses to Put in the Agreement

Commissioning date and exact five-year CMC end date
Preventive-visit frequency
Cleaning labour, water and access responsibility
Fault-response and visit time
Emergency contact and escalation
Parts, labour, travel, lifting and transport inclusion
Non-performing and under-performing component replacement
Module, inverter, structure and workmanship warranties
Monitoring account ownership and data access
Service-report and test-record requirement
Replacement serial and portal-update responsibility
Roof leakage and structure-defect responsibility
Warranty exclusions and force-majeure treatment
Vendor closure or manufacturer-claim route
Year-five final inspection and handover

Suggested core wording:

“The Vendor shall provide five years of comprehensive repair, maintenance and operation support from the DISCOM commissioning date, including periodic health checks and repair or replacement of non-performing or under-performing system components in accordance with the applicable PM Surya Ghar guidelines and this agreement. The Vendor shall provide all OEM warranty documents, service contacts, serial records and written service reports, and shall assist the Consumer in all manufacturer warranty claims. Parts, labour, travel, lifting, transport, cleaning responsibility, response time, exclusions and replacement-document updates shall be governed by the detailed schedule attached to this agreement.”

The sample wording is informational and should be adapted to the actual project and applicable law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of free maintenance are provided under PM Surya Ghar?

Registered vendors must provide repair and maintenance free of cost for five years of the CMC period from commissioning.

Does the five-year CMC include component replacement?

The operational guidelines state that non-performing or under-performing system components are to be repaired or replaced free of cost during the CMC period.

When does the five-year CMC begin?

It begins from the commissioning date. Record the exact date and calculate the end date in the agreement.

Does the complete system have a five-year warranty?

The model vendor-consumer agreement says the complete system should be warranted for five years from DISCOM commissioning.

Does a 25-year module warranty cover the entire solar system?

No. It usually refers to module output-performance terms. Inverter, labour, cleaning, structure and other components have separate terms.

What module output does the technical specification require?

It describes above 97% in the first year, degradation below 0.5% annually, above 90% during the first ten years and above 80% during the next fifteen years.

What is the minimum module product warranty in the specification?

At least five years from commissioning for the identified manufacturing, materials and manufacturing-inspection defects.

Is routine panel cleaning always free for five years?

The scheme requires comprehensive maintenance, but the agreement should clearly state cleaning frequency, labour, water, access and travel responsibilities.

How often should panels be cleaned?

There is no universal schedule. Use local soiling, rainfall, visible deposits, generation trends and safe-access conditions.

Can I clean panels with detergent?

Use only methods and materials approved by the module manufacturer and vendor. Harsh chemicals and abrasive tools can damage coatings or create a claim dispute.

Can I walk on solar panels while cleaning?

No. Walking on modules can damage glass or cells and may void warranty.

Who should receive the monitoring login?

The consumer should receive administrator ownership or equivalent access to the plant monitoring account and historical data.

What should I do when the inverter shows an error?

Save the exact error code and time, check whether the grid is available and report the fault through the vendor’s traceable service channel.

Can a third-party electrician repair the inverter during warranty?

Unauthorised repair can affect warranty. Use the vendor or authorised manufacturer service route unless an emergency or written approval requires otherwise.

What if the vendor does not answer?

Send a written claim, contact the OEM, raise an official portal grievance and preserve every ticket and acknowledgement.

Who pays for repair after five years?

After CMC, the answer depends on remaining OEM warranty, extended warranty, insurance and the post-CMC service agreement.

Should I buy an extended inverter warranty?

Compare price, remaining standard warranty, local service, exclusions, replacement process and expected downtime.

Can a damaged module be replaced with another brand?

Only after technical compatibility, DCR and applicable eligibility, electrical design, warranty and record updates are verified.

Does lower monthly generation prove a warranty failure?

No. Weather, season, shade, grid outage, dust and temperature must be separated from equipment failure.

What should happen before the CMC expires?

Request a final health check, test report, unresolved-defect closure, warranty list, monitoring export and post-CMC maintenance proposal.

Protect the Warranty Before a Fault Happens

The best warranty claim begins at commissioning. Keep the signed CMC, OEM documents, module and inverter serials, test report, monitoring account, service tickets and every replacement record. Report defects promptly and insist that physical equipment, invoice, portal and warranty records remain consistent.

Start with the complete PM Surya Ghar guide , confirm scheme eligibility , and follow the online application process .

Review approved capacity with the feasibility guide , complete metering through the net-meter guide , and track subsidy through the payment-status guide .

Compare initial system price through the 1kW , 2kW and 3kW cost guides .

Official Sources

Disclaimer

Wikisia is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with MNRE, PM Surya Ghar, any DISCOM, registered vendor, module manufacturer, inverter manufacturer, insurer or bank.

Warranty terms, CMC implementation, service response, cleaning responsibility, product exclusions and claim procedures depend on the signed agreement and current OEM documents. Electrical testing, roof access and repair can be hazardous. Use trained personnel and the official vendor or manufacturer service route. The interactive tracker and sample clause are educational tools, not a warranty approval, legal opinion or safety certificate.

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