While solar power plants are promoted as low-maintenance, long-term assets, professionals in the sector say that a lack of regular servicing and monitoring can reduce annual power generation by 15% to 25%, severely impacting the financial viability (losses up to lakhs or even crores) and Return on Investment (RoI) of projects.

Quality installation is as important as ongoing maintenance. Poor design, incorrect inverter sizing, substandard cabling and weak earthing practices can cause chronic performance issues that persist throughout the plant’s life.

Reduced Power Output

Solar modules, though robust, are constantly exposed to dust, pollution, heat, humidity and electrical stress. Without periodic cleaning, inspection and preventive maintenance, performance gradually deteriorates.

Industry specialists point out that common issues such as soiled panels, inverter tripping, loose electrical connections, grounding faults and unnoticed system failures often remain undetected for months in the absence of proper O&M.

“In the absence of regular and professional maintenance, solar plant owners face continuous loss in power generation, frequent inverter failures, and faster degradation of key components. In many cases, these losses are not immediately visible but eventually translate into lakhs or even crores of rupees in lost revenue. Proper installation by a reliable partner and consistent O&M are essential to protect a solar investment,” said a senior executive of Jetsor, a Faridabad-based solar panel installation company.

Even a short period of inverter downtime or unclean panels can lead to measurable revenue loss, especially for commercial and industrial consumers

— An industry expert

A more serious concern, according to solar plant owners, is the increasing number of engineering procurement and construction (EPC) companies that install solar plants but disappear soon after commissioning.

Once the project is handed over, many such firms fail to provide post-installation support, leaving owners without technical assistance, spare parts access, or warranty coordination.

Due to this, monitoring systems stop functioning, minor faults escalate into major failures, warranty claims become difficult to process, and plant owners are forced to seek costly third-party service providers.

Abandoned Solar Plants

Abandoned installations, often referred to in the industry as “orphaned solar plants,” typically operate far below their designed capacity, leading to prolonged downtime and escalating financial losses.

Though the issue is not widespread in the country as of now, industry specialists point out that it could affect the energy sector and land if not addressed in time.

Preventing "orphaned" solar plants starts with recognising that solar is a 25-year asset, and accountability must match that lifespan. The first line of defence is a strict vetting process — partnering only with EPC players who have a proven market existence of over five years.

Speaking to The Secretariat, Karthik Raju, Executive Director, Atria Renewable, said that the initial three to five years comprise the most-volatile period for solar startups, so an EPC that has survived policy shifts like GST changes or ALMM scheme implementation and multiple market cycles is statistically more likely to remain present a decade from now.

A five-year history allows consumers to verify the Performance Ratio of older projects — if plants commissioned in 2020 are still operating at around 90% of rated capacity, that is a clear signal of long-term reliability

— Karthik Raju, Executive Director, Atria Renewable

Industry experts stress that choosing a financially stable and experienced installer is critical for protecting a solar investment over its entire lifecycle.

Many low-cost EPC players enter the market, execute installations aggressively, and then shut operations or shift focus, leaving customers stranded. When installers vanish, plant owners suffer not only from technical issues but also from extended ROI periods, as generation losses continue year after year.

“Ultimately, the industry must move beyond the ‘L1’ or lowest-bidder mentality. Extremely low quotes often reflect compromises in galvanisation, earthing, or cabling — issues that surface years later as corrosion, inverter failures, or fire risks. Investing in experienced EPC partners may raise upfront costs, but it protects long-term generation and keeps the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) low across the plant’s 25-year lifecycle,” Raju added.

Professional O&M Services

With solar plants expected to operate for more than two decades, the industry believes that professional O&M services and long-term maintenance contracts will play a critical role in sustaining India’s renewable energy ambitions.

Regulators can also support this shift by encouraging better practices, such as tracking plant performance over time and favouring EPCs with strong maintenance records. At the same time, modern monitoring technologies now allow EPCs to detect issues early and fix them before they impact output

— Ankit Patidar, Director & CMO, Shakti Pumps

Plant owners are increasingly seeking dependable service providers capable of offering regular inspections, performance monitoring, and timely corrective action.

Solar Energy

As of early Jan 31, 2026, India’s total cumulative solar power capacity has surpassed 140 GW, making it one of the world’s fastest adopters of solar energy. The capacity consists of substantial ground-mounted, rooftop, and off-grid and hybrid solar installations.

Driven by renewables and grid upgrades, India already surpassed 500 GW of total installed electricity capacity. The country is now aiming to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Solar power is the primary driver.