Introduction
Installing a solar system in a housing society is only the first step. To get maximum savings and ensure long-term performance, the system needs regular cleaning, checks, and servicing.
This is where Operations & Maintenance (O&M) comes in. With a proper AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract), societies can keep their solar plants performing at peak efficiency for 20+ years, ensuring lower bills and smooth operation.
Why O&M is Important for Housing Societies
Many societies assume solar is “install and forget.” But in reality:
- Dust and dirt on panels can reduce efficiency by 15–20%.
- Loose wiring or inverter faults can stop generation unexpectedly.
- Unmonitored systems often go unnoticed until bills start rising.
Without O&M, societies lose both energy savings and financial returns.
What an AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) Includes
A good AMC plan for housing society solar systems usually covers:
- Regular Panel Cleaning
- Prevents dust, bird droppings, and pollution from blocking sunlight.
- Inverter & Electrical Checks
- Ensures smooth conversion of DC to AC power.
- Identifies issues early before they become major failures.
- Performance Monitoring
- Online dashboards track daily generation.
- Alerts sent in case of low output or system faults.
- Preventive Maintenance
- Checking structures, wiring, and junction boxes.
- Avoids accidents, water leakage, or fire risks.
- Emergency Repairs
- Quick response in case of breakdowns.
- Warranty Support
- EPC partner coordinates with manufacturers for panel or inverter replacements.
Cost of O&M for Housing Societies
- AMC typically costs 1–2% of the total project value per year.
- Example: For a ₹40 lakh, 100 kW system → AMC may cost ₹40,000–80,000 annually.
- Small compared to the ₹12–15 lakh yearly savings from the solar system.
A well-maintained system pays for itself many times over by avoiding performance loss.
How Solar O&M Lowers Maintenance Charges for Housing Societies
- A 100 kW system with dirty panels might produce only 11,000 units/month instead of 12,000 units.
- That’s a loss of 1,000 units → worth ₹8,000 per month.
- Over a year, that’s almost ₹1 lakh lost due to poor upkeep.
By simply signing an AMC, societies ensure consistent high generation, directly lowering monthly maintenance bills for all residents.
Real Examples
Example 1: XYZ Residency, Bangalore
- Installed: 80 kW solar plant
- Problem: Bills weren’t reducing as expected.
- Issue Found: Panels had not been cleaned for months, reducing output.
- Solution: AMC signed, regular cleaning started.
- Result: Monthly savings jumped from ₹75,000 to ₹95,000.
Example 2: ABC Heights, Mumbai
- Installed: 120 kW rooftop solar
- With AMC: Real-time monitoring alerted inverter failure.
- Quick fix saved ~₹1.5 lakhs in potential lost generation.
Why Choose a Professional EPC Partner for O&M
- Trained technicians with proper safety gear.
- Certified tools & monitoring systems for accurate performance tracking.
- Empaneled with DISCOM → ensures compliance and warranty protection.
- Long-term reliability → ensuring 25+ years of continuous savings.