You expect your solar panels to need maintenance because it's exposed to the elements. It covers your roof and gets hit by the sun, rain, and snow. However, your solar panel only needs minimal maintenance if it was properly installed. Learn more about solar roof maintenance in this post.
Cleaning
Solar cells need full exposure to the sun's UV rays to collect enough energy. Regularly clean your solar panels, but don't attempt it by yourself. Instead, call on qualified experts to do it for you. Hiring roofers who installed your solar panel can clear the debris and dust from the system, improve its production, and achieve optimal performance.
Regular System Audit
Solar panel manufacturers have a benchmark performance that's useful for professional evaluation. A qualified solar panel installation team will use this figure to evaluate your system's current performance. If they find any deviation, they may make some adjustments or recommend some repairs if there's a grave issue.
Installation Inspection
The system's installation is crucial to its lifespan and performance. A solar panel with moving structural support may get blown away during a strong hurricane or windstorm. Professional installation teams can recalibrate, adjust, and repair your solar panel to restore its functionality.
Solar RNG has a great post about solar panel system maintenance, cleaning, and audits. Here's an excerpt below.
General Maintenance of Solar Panels
Why do I need to have my panels maintained?
Over time, debris may accumulate on your solar panels and damage them. Failure to maintain them will decrease your system’s energy production and lead to costly damages. Through routine checks, your system can perform at its best, enabling you to maximize its cost-saving benefits.
How often do I need to clean my panels?
Cleaning frequency depends on how fast dirt builds up or on your area’s environment. For instance, homes surrounded by trees may need cleaning more often since the panels are regularly exposed to bird droppings, leaves, and other debris. Cleaning here can be done easily by basic debris removal. But ideally, you can leave it to the experts to have them clean your system once a year.
How should I clean them?
Cleaning solar panels is just like cleaning a window. All you need to do is use a hose with running water and soap on the glass cover, then wipe clean with a piece of cloth. Avoid using rough sponges, cold water, abrasive detergents, and high-pressure sprayers since they may damage PV cells.
At the same time, always remember to make safety a priority—climbing up the roof will put you at risk of an accident. In case your issue is a bit complex, seeking the services of professional cleaners should do the trick.
How do I know if my system is performing well?
The best way to know your system’s performance is to monitor your monthly power output. The good news is most systems come with monitoring software, so you don’t have to input data manually.
If you notice that the electricity it’s generating has decreased, there may be a maintenance issue that’s compromising your system. This should be addressed by a technician, particularly if the situation doesn’t improve after some cleaning.
When do I need to get them serviced?
How often you need to get your solar panel system checked will depend on your chosen provider’s terms. Some companies will require quarterly maintenance, while others do annual inspections. Monitoring your inverter display monthly and keeping in touch with your provider will help you know if it’s time to get the panels serviced.
Maintenance Made Easy
Upon installation, solar panels are immediately exposed to the elements. While they are engineered to withstand stress from harsh weather conditions, this doesn’t mean that they’re immune to damage. Exposure to heat, rain, and debris can affect your system’s performance, making periodic maintenance checks necessary. (Continue reading here to learn more)
Roper Roofing & Solar has helped numerous homes achieve energy independence through our high-quality solar panel installations. We guarantee top-notch results as a GAF Master Elite and certified Timberline Solar Shingle manufacturer. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
