By making the move to renewable energy sources and installing solar panels in your home, you can realize significant cost savings on your monthly energy bill as well as a smaller overall carbon footprint for your property. Solar panels are not inexpensive; nevertheless, they have a lifespan of approximately 25 to 30 years, which means that you will have plenty of time to see a return on your investment in them. This is the good news.
However, in order to get the most value out of your solar panels and to ensure that they last as long as they possibly can, it is essential that you maintain them in the correct manner. In this tutorial, you will discover all you need to know about the maintenance of your solar panels. Topics covered include the frequency with which your solar panels require maintenance, the cost of maintaining your solar panels, how to repair your solar panels, and more.
How to clean Solar Panels
Solar panels, on the other hand, require very little upkeep to guarantee that they continue to function as intended and supply your home with the solar energy that it needs. Cleaning is the most common and basic form of maintenance that must be performed on your panels. When there is a lack of precipitation for an extended period of time or during storms, the panels are more likely to accumulate dirt and debris. This dirt may be removed through periodic cleaning, which will also ensure that your solar panels are receiving the maximum amount of sunshine.
Another sort of upkeep for your solar panels is a yearly examination, which is something you might want to consider doing. An expert — typically a member of the team that installed your solar panels — will visit your property and examine your panels as part of a solar panel inspection. The purpose of this checkup is to validate that everything is operating as it should.
Here are the steps to make sure that your Solar Panels are working in optimal conditions:
- Clean and Secure
It has been discussed in a few other blogs that you should make cleaning your solar panels part of your routine every six months. Your panels are at risk of becoming coated with dust, debris, bird droppings, leaf litter, and sap, which will lower their energy output and efficiency.
If you are going to clean the solar panels manually this is what you’ll need to maintain your solar panels
Use water that is warm, not hot, and soap to clean, and a gentle brush to remove any stubborn particles of dirt and grime (never use an abrasive cleaning brush or sponge).
When the temperature is lower during the day, you should clean your panels (preferably early morning or late afternoon).
While you are up on the roof, check to make sure that the infrastructure supporting your panels is still firmly in place and shows no signs of deterioration or corrosion.
- Check the wirings
It is a good idea to make it a habit to inspect the wiring on your solar system on a regular basis. If they are out in the open, check that they have not been harmed by the harmful elements and that they have not been affected by dirt or water.
Wiring that is rusted or broken can create significant risks to people’s health and safety. Electricity and water do not belong in the same container, just like mentos and coke.
Make sure to get in touch with your installer as soon as possible if you discover a wire that has been compromised.
- Check for Corrosion
In continuation with the previous point on the checklist, you need to make sure that you inspect your solar panels at least twice a year for signs of rust, corrosion, and damage (more if you live by the coast).
Even though they are highly resistant to rust, solar panels can nevertheless corrode if the vacuumed-sealed rear sheet develops cracks.
Your solar power system’s efficiency may decrease as a result of natural processes like rusting and corrosion. It could become a hazard if no one is around to monitor it if it is left unattended. If you notice any symptoms of damage, check the warranty on your solar panels and get in touch with your installer to schedule a checkup.
- Conduct regular system check (how often do solar panel needs maintenance)
You can perform routine checks on your solar system using the inverter panel to determine whether or not it is indicating the presence of any electrical issues.
In the event that your solar PV system reports ground problems, contact your solar installer as soon as possible. In the event that they are not dealt to, ground faults can be exceedingly hazardous and produce electric shocks.
As was discussed earlier, the upkeep for solar panels is not really onerous. In most cases, there are three distinct agendas that need to be taken into consideration:
Annual inspection: At least once a year, retain the services of an expert to perform a check of your solar panels and verify that they are operating as intended.
In general, you should make plans to get your solar panels cleaned around twice a year at the very least. If you live in a region that receives a lot of rain and where your solar panels don’t gather much dirt or debris, you might only need to clean them once a year. However, if you live in a location that doesn’t get much rain or that has a lot of dirt or debris, you should prepare for more frequent cleanings of your solar panels.
Additional maintenance: A maintenance appointment can be scheduled as needed if you discover a problem with your solar panels that has nothing to do with the annual inspection that you have scheduled.
If and when you become aware of a problem with your solar panels or that they are not producing the amount of electricity that they should be, you can easily book any additional maintenance appointments as they become necessary.