With summer approaching, Energy Safe Victoria and Solar Victoria are reminding us about the critical role of solar maintenance. Their “Make the Safe Call” campaign encourages homeowners to have their systems serviced every two years.

In the last three years, Energy Safe Victoria has investigated 138 solar-related house fires — many of which could have been prevented with proper maintenance. Most incidents occur during the warmer months, when systems are under their highest loads. Components like wiring, isolators, and switches degrade over time due to heat, UV exposure, and weather. Left unchecked, they can become a genuine safety risk.

As an industry, we’ve done an excellent job positioning solar as a smart financial and environmental decision. We’ve focused heavily on payback periods, ROI, and the benefits of clean energy. But now, as much of the solar fleet ages past its first decade, the conversation is shifting. Long-term performance and safety are becoming just as important as the initial installation, and maintenance is the bridge between those two outcomes.

Solar shouldn’t be treated as a “set and forget” investment. Just like cars need regular servicing to stay roadworthy, solar systems need inspections and preventative maintenance to stay safe, compliant, and productive. This isn’t just about avoiding costly breakdowns or fire hazards, it’s about protecting the reputation of solar as a reliable, long-term energy solution.

For those of us in the industry, this is a timely reminder to keep promoting qualified servicing as part of solar ownership. Proper inspections go far beyond panel cleaning, identifying hidden risks and ensuring systems keep delivering for decades.

At Omnidian, we see proactive maintenance as a cornerstone of solar’s future. Supporting campaigns like this helps raise awareness, protect homeowners and businesses, and maintain confidence in the technology we’ve worked so hard to champion.

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