A well-maintained solar kit lasts longer, holds its charge better, and saves you from costly breakdowns. In Cameroon, the particular climate of Douala and other major cities — constant heat, intense rainy season, dust in the dry season — requires a few simple but regular habits. Here is the complete schedule.

Why maintenance matters in Cameroon’s climate

The two main enemies of a solar kit are:

Dust and dirt on the panels: even a thin layer can reduce their output by 10 to 25%. In the dry season in Douala, dust settles within days.
Excessive heat around batteries and inverter: a lithium battery keeps its maximum lifespan between 15°C and 35°C. Above that, it degrades faster.

The good news: a JP Solaire kit with a Felicity Solar lithium battery requires very little maintenance — no water top-ups, no acid checks as with gel batteries. The main tasks are panel cleaning and visual checks.

Monthly maintenance calendar

Every month

🧹 Clean the solar panels

This is the most important task. A dirty panel produces less electricity.

How to do it:

Choose early morning (before the panel heats up) or late afternoon.
Pour clean water over the surface — rain alone is not enough; it leaves dust deposits.
Wipe with a soft damp cloth or sponge. Do not use abrasive detergent — it scratches the anti-reflective surface.
Rinse and let dry naturally.

In the dry season (November to March), clean every 2 to 3 weeks. In the rainy season (April to October), once a month is often enough.

👁️ Quick visual check

Look for:

Connection cables between panels and inverter: none should be cracked, burnt or disconnected.
Inverter indicator lights: they show the charge status and any alerts.
The area around the inverter and batteries: nothing should be blocking the ventilation.

Every 3 months

🔌 Check connections

Vibrations (especially from Douala’s frequent power cuts) can loosen terminals. Check that all connections between batteries, inverter and distribution board are firmly tightened. This takes about 10 minutes.

🌡️ Check ambient temperature

Make sure the lithium battery and inverter are well ventilated. Ideally:

No direct sun exposure
Room temperature below 40°C
No dust buildup on the inverter (blow it off with an air puffer or a dry cloth)

Every year (annual check)

📊 Check battery behaviour

After a year of use, compare how the battery performs:

Does it charge as quickly as when it was new?
Is the autonomy (number of hours running the same appliances) stable?

A slight drop (5 to 10%) is normal in the first year. If the drop exceeds 20%, contact your installer.

🔧 Check panel mounting

Check that the panel support structure is still firmly fixed, with no rust on the bolts (especially if you are near the coast — salt air accelerates corrosion). Tighten if needed.

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Risk	Best practice
Cleaning panels at midday	Thermal shock → microcracks	Clean early morning or evening
Overloading the installation	Inverter overheating, reduced lifespan	Stay within the kit’s max power
Fully draining the battery	Accelerated degradation	Never go below 20% charge
Leaving objects against the inverter	Overheating	Keep 20 cm clearance all around
Using abrasive cleaner	Scratched panels → reduced output	Clean water + soft cloth only

How long does a Felicity Solar lithium battery last?

With proper maintenance and normal use, a Felicity Solar lithium battery guarantees more than 5 years of lifespan (and often 8 to 10 years in practice, with over 3,500 charge cycles). This is far superior to gel batteries (2 to 3 years) or AGM.

Longevity depends on:

Ambient temperature: 25°C is ideal; avoid direct heat.
Depth of discharge: do not fully drain the battery (stay above 20% charge).
Regularity of recharging: do not leave the battery discharged for several days.

Need technical assistance?

If you notice an anomaly — an error light on the inverter, significant loss of autonomy, unusual noise — the JP Solaire Sarl team is available for a diagnosis. Contact us via WhatsApp or the Contact page.

Don’t have a kit yet? Browse our solar kits for home and business, or our individual equipment in the shop.

Solar kit maintenance in Cameroon: the complete schedule