The UK’s solar photovoltaic (PV) sector, once turbocharged by the generous Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, is facing an emerging challenge: a growing number of installations are significantly underperforming due to a lack of ongoing maintenance.
The Legacy of the Feed-in Tariff
However, the FiT scheme did not mandate regular maintenance or inspections, a critical oversight that is now becoming evident.
A Maintenance Time Bomb
Many of the systems installed during the FiT were sold as “fit and forget”, with marketing often emphasising the low-maintenance nature of solar PV. While solar systems do generally require less upkeep than traditional power generators, they are far from maintenance-free.
Without routine checks and servicing, many systems quietly underperform for years, with the owner being unaware until their revenue makes a a hit.
The most common issues include:
- Soiling and debris on panels, reducing generation efficiency.
- Inverter failures, often occurring after 8–12 years, which can halt all generation.
- Loose or degraded electrical connections, posing fire risks and reducing output.
- Undetected shading from growing vegetation or new buildings.
- Faulty generation meters, leading to underreported production and lost FiT payments.
Financial and Environmental Consequences
The financial implications are serious. Underperforming systems mean reduced FiT income and less energy offsetting bills. In worst-case scenarios, total system failure goes unnoticed for extended periods, leading to potentially tens of thousands of pounds in lost earnings.
On a broader scale, this underperformance undermines the carbon reduction goals that the FiT scheme was designed to support. If a substantial portion of the UK’s legacy solar fleet is producing less than optimal output, the cumulative impact on renewable energy targets is non-trivial.
Who’s Responsible?
Responsibility for ongoing performance rests largely with the system owners. However, there are broader structural issues at play. Many FiT-era installations were sold by companies that have since gone out of business, leaving clients without service contracts or clear support channels. In some cases, misinformation or a lack of understanding around solar performance has left system owners unaware that anything is wrong.
How Beba Energy Can Help
Beba Energy, a leading provider of solar PV solutions, has been offering maintenance with all PV installations since 2009. Recognising that many FiT-era systems are now entering a critical phase of their lifecycle, Beba Energy offers a comprehensive solar maintenance service specifically designed to support these aging installations.
By identifying and resolving issues proactively, Beba Energy helps system owners recover their lost income and extend the life of their systems. For many, this can mean the difference between a declining asset, and one that continues to deliver strong returns well into the 2030s.
Our services plans include:
- Performance & inspection checks to assess current system health.
- Inverter diagnostics and replacements, often the most vulnerable component.
- Panel cleaning and vegetation management to restore generation capacity.
- Live monitoring of installations, providing real-time alerts on performance issues.
- Rapid fault call outs to ensure limited downtime
Monitor and Maintain
not fit and forget
The UK’s solar success story should not become a cautionary tale. As the energy transition continues to accelerate across the country, new technologies are being adopted, so it is critical to maintain the infrastructure already in place.
For FiT-era solar PV systems, that means shifting from fit and forget to monitor and maintain. Only then can we ensure that the long-term benefits, both financial and environmental, are fully realised
