Solar panels are an excellent method to cut down on the cost of energy and impact the environment. Solar panels last from 25 to 30 years. This investment will eventually pay off through the money you reduce your energy bills.
But taking care of your solar panel is crucial to ensure you get the most from your investment. Here is an instruction manual for solar panel maintenance to assist you in understanding the care of solar panels and the best ways to ensure they are in optimal condition over the years.
DO SOLAR PANELS NEED MAINTENANCE?
Solar panels do not need regular maintenance. But, you might have periodically washed your solar panels to ensure that dirt and debris don’t block the sunlight’s rays. The conditions that might necessitate cleaning your solar panels are:
Debris: If branches or leaves block your solar panels after the storm, it will lower the efficiency of your solar PV system. Debris may also cause hotspots within the system, which could cause certain areas to overheat.
Dust or dirt: Solar panels typically develop an appearance of stains as well as dust over time, which could also affect the efficiency of your system.
Ice and snow: Snow and ice accumulation can cause under-cooling that causes tiny cracks on the solar panels. A few inches of ice or snow can affect the overall efficiency of your system.
You may require more extensive repairs if the component of the solar PV system fails. Delegating repairs and maintenance to a professional solar installer is recommended because they have the experience and knowledge to protect your solar panels when being repaired.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO PERFORM SOLAR PANEL MAINTENANCE?
While the maintenance of solar panels is typically low, you must maintain a routine plan of care in your mind so that your panels function at their best. The frequency of maintenance will vary based on the type of maintenance you need to perform, which could include:
Inspections every year: An experienced professional must examine your solar panels at least once every year to make sure the system is functioning correctly and that your system is operating optimally.
Cleaning: Generally, you should wash your solar panels at least twice yearly. But your area’s climate will determine the frequency you should clean your solar panel. For instance, if you live in a region that receives a lot of rain,, you may only need the solar panels to be cleaned once per year. If your solar system doesn’t receive a lot of rain and accumulates dust or debris frequently, you’ll want to plan for more frequent cleaning.
Maintenance is additional: When your system has issues unrelated to the annual cleaning and inspection, like performance issues, you should schedule an appointment for care with your installer to identify and fix the problem.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR SOLAR PANELS
The kind of maintenance you have to do will determine the maintenance procedure you will follow. Cleaning is usually done by yourself unless your solar panels are positioned in locations that might not be secure, like high angles in your roof. In such cases, the solar installer could assist you in cleaning your panels. All repairs and inspections must be handled by an expert, too.
Solar Panel Cleaning
Clean solar panels are more efficient than those sprayed with debris and dust. Cleansing your solar panels is contingent on the type of problem you’re facing.
If you’re trying to remove dirt and dust off your panels, you can start by using a water hose or a leaf blower to eliminate any leaves or branches. Be sure to avoid using an electric pressure washer or high-pressure nozzle so that you do not cause damage to the panels. If your panels are still dry after washing them with water, use glass cleaner, water, and glass cloths to eliminate any remaining dust. Do not use any abrasive material which can cause micro-cracks and scratches to the solar panels.
Snow will fall quickly if the solar panels are positioned at an angle of about 45 degrees. But, there are solar panels that aren’t set so that snow falls off. Cleaning snow off is vital if snow builds up on the solar panels. Of the snow you receive in your region, brushing it off every day during the winter may be necessary.
Put lukewarm water over your solar panels to melt any ice or snow. Avoid hot water because extreme temperature changes could cause the boards to break. After that, clean the remaining debris so it doesn’t get re-frozen. Even a light frost can decrease the effectiveness of the solar panels.
Solar Panel Repairs
The most apparent sign that solar panel requires professional attention is when your energy consumption is declining. When your panels aren’t producing the same amount of energy as they do in the past and your utility bill has increased, you’ll need to call your solar installer to set up an appointment for maintenance.
HOW MUCH DOES SOLAR PANEL MAINTENANCE COST?
Most maintenance for solar panels is not expensive since you can easily clean debris and dirt yourself. If you’d like to hire an expert to clean the solar panels, it could cost around a couple hundred dollars, dependent on the location. Costs for repairs and annual inspections vary greatly.
But, many solar installers provide warranties on their artistry and materials to cover a portion of repair costs that you could face. These warranties ensure that the solar panels you purchase won’t fall below certain efficiency levels. They will also be able to cover the cost of damage that occurs from storms and other circumstances beyond your control.
Examining the details of your warranties is crucial since some stipulate that the panels are covered as long as they are maintained. For instance, if you do not keep your discussions often, your deposit will not cover any repairs due to the buildup.