How to Care for Your Solar Panels

Solar panels only perform well if they're well-maintained and installed. Reliable panels can achieve outstanding energy-collecting capabilities during sunny and cloudy days. Experts can clean your solar panel system, but you can also do it by yourself. 

Your panel system requires minimal maintenance, but they do need regular cleaning. If you live near trees or shrubs, their leaves and twigs can make their way on your solar panels. Clear them to optimize your solar panel system's exposure to sunlight.

Your electrical system might look a bit challenging to clean because you'll need technical knowledge to remove dirt without affecting their connections. At best, we recommend only observing them for any signs of grit, grime, and dirt. Then, call an expert to clear them out and make changes where necessary.

Lastly, we recommend using your solar panel's accompanying app, if it has one. Most solar panel manufacturers let their system connect through the internet and interface with an application on your phone. From there, you can monitor any sudden changes to their energy collection. A sudden jump may indicate a need for cleaning or an inspection by professional solar panel installation teams in your area.

Here are a few more things you need to keep in mind, according to Solar Reviews.

Solar panels are a great investment that can provide you with cheap, renewable solar energy for the next 25 years or more. 

But a key question is, how do you maintain them? Are solar panels like your car, requiring regular tune-ups to stay in peak condition? Or are you supposed to just leave them be? 

Read on for the answers to the most common solar panel maintenance questions.

Do solar panels need to be maintained? 

Solar panels generally require very little maintenance in order to function, so yes, you can usually just let them be. The only thing they need is a periodic light cleaning to make sure dirt, leaves, and other debris aren't obstructing the sun's rays. 

The only time you may need more extensive maintenance is during periods of heavy snowfall, as inches of snow can hinder solar panels performance. 

Can you monitor the health of your solar panels? 

If your panels’ energy output starts to decrease, you can monitor it via an app. Lower energy output could be a sign that your panels are obstructed by something, like debris, and cannot generate their typical electricity amount. 

By integrating a solar panel monitoring system into your setup, you can track how much energy your panels produce on any given day, and how much they produce over time. This allows you to see exactly how various external factors affect your panels' performance and how well they're maintaining their efficiency across their life. The monitoring system will also alert you if a panel breaks or malfunctions so that you can repair or replace it.

Let's take a closer look at how to make sure your solar panels last as long as possible.

How do you maintain solar panels? 

If your panels are tilted, you’re in luck: rainfall will actually clear away debris that's accumulated on them. However, during the dry season or extended periods without rain, it's important to clean them manually. 

It is generally recommended that you perform solar panel cleaning between two and four times per year. While that might seem like a lot, the good news is that this doesn’t require much work. All you really need is a leaf blower or a quick spray with a garden hose, and your panels will be clean and in top condition.

In winter, you may need to clean your panels after a heavy snowfall. If you're using water to clear the snow away, make sure it's lukewarm. You can also use a squeegee with a long handle. 

It is important to note that you should never use hot water when clearing snow off the panels. The panels are made of tempered glass, and the extreme temperature disparity between hot water and cold panels can crack them.

Ground-mounted panels vs. rooftop panels - is there a maintenance difference? 

When it comes to maintenance, the only real difference between ground-mounted solar systems and rooftop solar systems is that ground panels are easier to access, and therefore easier to keep clean. If you notice a buildup of snow or other debris, you can simply sweep it off with a soft-bristled broom.

How does extreme weather impact your solar panels? (Continued)

High-quality solar panels need reliable experts with experience and knowledge installing them. Count on Roper Roofing & Solar's team of professional, approachable, and results-oriented experts who will always get the job done right for you. Call us today to learn more.

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