Do solar panels need to be maintained?
Yes, you can typically leave solar panels alone because they typically require very little maintenance to perform. They simply require a quick cleaning every so often to ensure that leaves, dirt, and other debris aren’t blocking the sun’s beams.
Only during seasons of heavy snowfall, when inches of snow can impair the functioning of solar panels, may you require more thorough maintenance be performed.
Can you monitor the health of your solar panels?
You can keep an eye on the energy output of your panels using an app. Lower energy output could indicate that your panels are blocked from producing their usual quantity of electricity by anything like debris.
You can keep track of the quantity of energy your solar panels generate each day as well as their overall production by incorporating a monitoring system for solar panels into your setup. This enables you to observe precisely how various outside conditions affect the performance of your panels and how well they hold their efficiency over the course of their lifetime. In order for you to fix or replace a panel if it breaks or malfunctions, the monitoring system will also notify you.
Let’s examine more closely how to prolong the life of your solar panels.
How do you maintain solar panels?
You’re in luck if your panels are tilted since rain will actually wash any buildup of debris off of them. However, it’s crucial to physically clean them during the dry season or prolonged dry spells.
It is typically advised that you clean your solar panels two to four times a year. The good news is that while that might sound like a lot, it doesn’t take much labor to do this. Your panels will be clean and in excellent shape with just a simple spray from a yard hose or a leaf blower.
After a significant snowfall in winter, you might need to clean your panels. Make sure the water is lukewarm if you’re using it to melt the snow. A squeegee with a long handle is another option.
It’s crucial to remember that when removing snow from the panels, you should never use hot water. The high temperature difference between the hot water and the cold panels can break the tempered glass panels, which are the material of the panels.
Ground-mounted panels vs. rooftop panels – is there a maintenance difference?
The only true difference between ground-mounted solar systems and rooftop solar systems in terms of maintenance is that ground panels are simpler to reach and, thus, simpler to keep clean. You may easily remove any accumulation of snow or other debris by using a broom with a soft bristle.
How does extreme weather impact your solar panels?
Solar panels are created to last. PV systems are capable of withstanding all types of weather, including wind, rain, snow, and more, thanks to high-quality solar panel installations.
You’ll be relieved to learn that, according to the Department of Energy, solar panels fare well against hail. They can even withstand hurricanes, as demonstrated by the fact that Hurricane Florence in North Carolina in 2018 caused relatively little damage to solar systems.
Of yet, they are not completely impervious to destruction; on rare occasions, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, or lightning may cause damage. However, if your warranty is solid, you ought to be able to get any broken panels fixed or replaced.
Ironically, heat is the type of weather that impacts panels the most frequently. Approximately 1% each degree of temperature increase causes solar panels to lose efficiency, or 77°F (or 25°C).
However, you can allow for air circulation, which can assist cool them down and preserve energy output by lifting them a few inches above the ground or roof. You shouldn’t worry too much about solar panel performance in hot weather because your solar installer will take local climate conditions into account when installing panels.
How to repair or replace solar panels
It is recommended to employ a professional to replace or repair your panels.
Call the firm that installed your panels if they are losing efficiency and are still covered by a performance or power output warranty. Someone will be dispatched to the scene to evaluate the situation and either repair the issue or replace the panels.
If there is physical harm to your panels, it is frequently covered by a different equipment guarantee. In order to determine who can best replace those panels, you can consult with your solar installer. In either case, unless you have previous experience with residential solar systems, avoid attempting to install solar panels or make repairs yourself.
What is the standard warranty for solar panels?
If the effectiveness of your solar panels does start to decline, it might end up costing you thousands of dollars over time, therefore it is crucial to make sure they are installed with a decent warranty.
The business that installed your solar panel will give you a replacement if it is still under warranty. The energy output of your solar panels will be guaranteed to continue at 80% or higher for the duration of the warranty period, which can last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, by a reputable solar business.
So, are solar panels hard to maintain?
Overall, it’s not too difficult to maintain your solar panels. Your panels will function well if you quickly clean any accumulated snow, dust, or debris. Make sure the panels you purchase have a solid warranty as well so that if they break, they can be replaced.
If you follow those instructions, your solar panels should keep producing clean, renewable energy at their highest possible efficiency for many years.
