Although solar systems are seemingly perfect equipment, they’re not immune to regular maintenance routines. And it’s because various objects or debris pile up on the PV cell’s surface over time. In addition, performing solar panel maintenance could solve your solar generation issues. So, In this article, we will discuss how to maintain solar panels and why it’s crucial to your system’s efficiency.
How Often Do Solar Panels and Systems Need Maintenance?
A man checking solar panel efficiency
As mentioned above, solar panels don’t need a lot of maintenance. But it would help to keep some routines in mind. Maintaining your solar systems is the only way to ensure your panels dish out optimal performance.
Here’s how often you should check and maintain your solar panels.
Cleaning
Man cleaning solar panels
Plan to clean your solar panels at least twice a year. However, you may only need to do this once if it rains a lot in your area.
Once a year would also work if you place your panels where dust and debris don’t accumulate quickly. In other words, you might clean more than twice a year in areas with higher chances of dust piles and little rain.
Annual Inspection
It would help if you carried out an annual inspection once a year. For this routine, you’ll need the services of a professional to ensure your panels are in top condition.
Additional Maintenance
Some issues may develop outside your annual inspection plans. So, it’s crucial to schedule extra maintenance for your solar system if you notice any problems.
How to Tell When My Solar Panels Need Maintenance
Man working on solar panels
Your solar panels won’t always need maintenance outside your routine inspections. Moreover, it’s essential to watch out for warning signs that may signify the need for an early inspection.
If you notice a sudden drop in your system’s energy output, it’s a sign that your panels need maintenance. Also, you can monitor your electricity bills. If it increases, your panels may not be generating enough electricity.
So, easy maintenance, like cleaning your solar panels, would be enough to solve such problems. And this applies especially during harsh weather conditions (like storms and dry seasons).
But if the problem goes beyond regular cleaning, you can schedule a service appointment.
How to Maintain Your Solar Panels
Man cleaning solar panels with a water hose
You can use two methods to ensure your solar system works. Here’s how:
Method 1: Cleaning Your Panels
PV cells are not that durable. So, you can damage them if you don’t wash them correctly. Here’s how:
- Mild cleaning is necessary when your region has regular rain, as it helps remove most dirt and debris on your panel’s surface.
- We don’t recommend using soap or detergent on your panels. Instead, use regular water and a soft sponge to wipe the surface.
- Using a water hose to spray the panel is best if you live in dusty or desert areas. Also, you can attach a nozzle to turn your hose into a spray. It’s effective for situations where you can’t reach the panel.
- Extremely filthy panels may need manual washing. You can hire a crew in this situation.
- Avoid washing your panels if it’s sunny outside. You can clean them when there’s an overcast or early morning.
- Don’t forget to remove snow from your panels during winter. You can use a broom or a soft piece of cloth. But avoid using any abrasive methods.
Method 2: Checking for Battery Corrosion
Your batteries won’t give you a lot of issues. But we recommend inspecting them at least two or three times per year. Also, it’s time for maintenance if you spot white powder or gunk around your battery terminals.
Here’s how you can do this yourself:
- Ensure you wear protective gear like rubber gloves and aprons to protect you from battery acid.
- Keep a bucket of water or baking soda close to clean accidental acid spills.
- Switch off the batteries by disconnecting the terminals or flipping the switch. Avoid working or touching batteries in operating mode.
- Then, use a brush to clean dirt or dry corrosion. Dried materials may require more pressure to remove. We recommend using wire brushes for this process.
- Use water and baking soda to clean the moist residue. While at it, soak the cloth into the mixture and squeeze the excess before wiping the terminals.
Don’t hesitate to contact a professional if the issues go beyond cleaning the batteries. It’s not safe to mess around with your solar batteries.
Tips for Maintenance of Solar Panels
A person checking solar panels
Here are some maintenance tips to make the process easier.
Tip 1: Check for Cracks on Racks and Panel Surface
PV panels are durable, but they may be prone to damage. So, it’s necessary to check for cracks after heavy weather conditions. Then, call your electrician if you find any cracks or openings.
Additionally, check your racking and bolt penetrations to ensure your solar system’s durability is intact.
Tip 2: Always Monitor your System
Usually, solar systems come with unlimited online monitoring. As a result, it’s easy to track your solar system’s daily, weekly, or monthly performance.
Regular monitoring can help detect problems early, especially those affecting your solar system’s output.
How does Severe Weather Affect Solar Panels?
Extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and storms can potentially damage or crack your solar panels. Intense heat waves could also dry up your PV cells and cause cracks.
And all of these can have adverse effects on your solar panel’s performance.
The Cost of Maintaining Solar Panels
Maintaining solar panels only requires minimal costs, even when hiring professionals. Solar system maintenance may cost an average of $450. However, it may be significantly higher if you damage your solar panels.
Rounding Up
Solar panel systems may have expensive upfront costs, but they’re easy and cheap to maintain. Solar arrays are also durable and may operate for periods beyond their lifespan and expectancy.
However, several things can hinder your solar system’s efficiency. For this reason, it’s crucial to know how to maintain solar panels occasionally. So, we recommend employing the services of a professional or a local installer for problems you can’t handle.
