According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the productivity of solar panels decreases by 0.8% year on average, which implies they could provide a bit less power. This fact makes solar panel maintenance essential to increase the efficiency as well as the lifespan of the solar panels, which leads to a reduced annual deterioration rate.
Here is our guide, including a solar panel maintenance checklist and tips for residential or commercial solar panel maintenance.
Significance of Solar Panel Maintenance
Solar panels have a long lifespan, but they’ll perform at their peak if you know how to maintain them. A number of factors, including dust, dirt, pollen, and debris, can build up on the surface of solar panels. By blocking sunlight and preventing the solar cells from receiving energy, these particles can dramatically lower the efficiency of your solar panels. Maintaining the panels extends their lifespan, assures top performance, and maximizes the return on your investment.
Solar Panel Maintenance also offers advantages in terms of the following:
Maximizing Efficiency
The capacity of solar panels to absorb sunlight and transform it into electricity can be reduced by dust, grime, and other material that might cling to their surface. Maximum productivity and increased energy generation are guaranteed and achieved by regular cleaning.
Increased Lifespan
The lifespan of solar panels usually is 25 to 30 years. Regular maintenance of solar panels keeps the panels functioning correctly for a longer time, allowing years of sustainable energy generation.
Early Diagnosis
Early detection of any fault or problem with the solar panels is possible through routine inspections. Solar panel maintenance enables prompt repairs, timely diagnosis, and reduces the chance of costly downtime or significant concerns.
Staying Under Warranty
Many solar panel installers and manufacturers provide warranties, which need routine upkeep of solar panels to stay under the validity period. Solar panel maintenance makes sure you benefit from warranty coverage when required.
Solar Panel Maintenance Checklist: Keep Your Solar System Shining Bright
Due to the lack of moving parts, solar panels require less maintenance. Regular upkeep ensures that your solar system performs at its best, enabling you to benefit from renewable energy fully. The following solar panel maintenance checklist should be followed to keep your solar panels in peak shape :
Solar Panel Servicing
We advise that you get the system inspected by a professional at least once in every five to ten years. By doing so, you can ensure that your solar panels produce enough energy to reduce expenses while staying on top of unpleasant financial shocks.
Check for Issues
Check your solar panels for any dirt accumulation or mounting system issues, such as loose bolts, preferably with binoculars. At least twice a year, take a brief peek. Additionally, if you observe a rapid decline in the output of your solar panels, it can be an indication of a problem.
Get Your Solar Panels Cleaned
Solar panels require cleaning approximately every five years unless they get unusually dirty. The best approach to clean your solar panels is from the ground using a hose. Avoid using high-pressure water sprayers or detergents since doing so may cancel your warranty. Make sure to clean dust & pollen from the solar panels during summer and keep an eye out for debris in winter.
Eliminate Possible Threats
In order to prevent any risks to the panels, any overhanging branches should be cut down. Additionally, make sure that you keep pests like pigeons and squirrels away from your solar panel frames. The easiest method to accomplish this is to use mesh netting to protect your solar panels from birds.
Keep Solar Panels Away from Shade
If your panels are shielded from the sunshine, their ability to produce electricity will suffer. It is essential to keep any neighboring trees trimmed and keep ivy away from your solar panels for the proper functioning of the solar panel system.
Verify the Inverters’ Flashing Green Lights
There are no defects in your solar energy system while the LED on your inverters is blinking green. If they are not flashing, it may indicate a more serious problem that, if ignored, might cost you a lot of money. Remember that inverters require replacement more frequently than solar panels do, which is once every 10 years.
Maintain Notes
When doing repairs, cleaning, or replacements on your panels, be sure to maintain a record of the changes or repairs made. This can assist service members in identifying the root of problems down the road and help save time.
Keeping the Solar panel maintenance checklist in mind will help you not only increase the productivity of the solar panels but will also increase their lifespan.
Another important point to remember if you are considering maintenance of your solar panels is that the solar panel maintenance cost depends upon a number of factors like the number of solar panels, age of solar panels, issues and damage caused, etc. As per NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), Solar panel maintenance cost is $31 per kilowatt (kW).This indicates that the expected annual operating and maintenance costs for a 6 kW system are less than $200.
Tips for Solar Panel Maintenance
- Install automatic cleaners that function like sprinkler systems if installing your roof to clean your panels is not an option for you.
- Do not install solar panels yourself. Hiring a qualified installation will decrease the likelihood of any complications.
- Consider the long term. Although we are aware that solar panel repairs might be expensive, we aim to avoid any hasty solutions or quick fixes.
Pro tip: Know more about solar panel installation in locations like Slingerlands, Catskill and Valatie.
Conclusion
Embracing a proactive solar panel maintenance checklist is your key to unlocking the full potential of clean and renewable energy. By following this comprehensive guide, you ensure your solar system’s longevity and optimal performance and contribute to a greener planet. Regular cleaning, vigilant inspection, and thoughtful care of electrical components and connections are your tools for harnessing sunlight’s power effectively.
Remember, a well-maintained solar panel system saves money and propels you towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. If you want to get solar panels installed for residential or commercial purposes, Feel free to contact us. We at Infinity Energy provide professional and smooth solar panel installation services to empower communities to thrive in an eco-conscious world. Join us now to begin your solar adventure!
