Maintaining your solar panels is beneficial for the life of the panels and to help improve the efficiency of the entire system. Solar panels aren’t high maintenance, but there are some things you can do to keep them working at optimal performance.
This may seem tedious, but it’s just a quick monthly assessment to see if your system is staying consistent. Each month, write down how many kilowatt-hours are being produced and note your observations if you see any changes (such as many unusually cloudy days or new tree growth) so you can see if there is anything you can do adjust factors and make your system more efficient.
At least once or twice a year, you’ll want to check your solar inverters. Make sure the LED lights are indicating normal functioning. Of course, if your system isn’t working, you will certainly know, however checking on the inverter can help prevent bigger issues because you’ll be able to spot anything brewing.
If you’ve had your system for a few years, it’s possible that surrounding trees have grown around your property and are casting shade onto your panels. It’s okay for panels to be in some shade, but if you have a tree that’s fully blocked out the sun from some panels, you probably need to give it a little trim.
Make sure your panels last a long time and produce the maximum amount of energy by keeping debris off the surfaces. You may not want to get on the roof yourself, so contact us and we can help you take care of it. Debris such as leaves, bird droppings, branches, will affect the system negatively. Plus, it looks unsightly too. If snow has accumulated and isn’t melting off, use a soft snow brush to gently remove the snow.
Sometimes the wiring and connections to your panels become corroded. Or if you live in wooded areas, little critters may even chew on the wires. Check on the wiring from time to time to see if there are any issues.
If you plan to clean the panels yourself, be sure to use a telescoping pole with a soft-bristled brush head and soft-wash solution. You’ll also want a hose attachment to give them a spray. Take care not to scratch or damage the glass. It’s best to wash the panels when they’re cool and on cloudy days, or in the evening. Spray on the solution, carefully scrub it and spray it off. Many solar panels do not need cleaning unless you see debris collecting. Do not use high pressure, abrasive sponges, or very cold water.
If you’d like to take an extra step in ensuring your panels are well taken care of, consider hiring a service to come out every quarter or so for an assessment and possible cleaning. This will keep you aware of potential problems and keeps everything working at tip top shape.
For any questions or concerns on solar panel maintenance, give Four Seasons Solar a call.