As the push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels continues, solar power systems are gaining popularity as renewable energy sources for homes and businesses. Solar panels have a great track record for durability and a long lifespan, and regular maintenance can maximize both.
Whether you already have solar panels installed or you’re considering your options, here we’ll explore solar power maintenance and provide valuable tips for DIY enthusiasts and those seeking professional assistance.
Understanding Solar Power Systems
Before delving into solar power maintenance, we should first go over a solar power system’s components and functionality. If you already know all of this, feel free to skip to the section on maintenance.
Unlike fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas, solar power systems offer sustainable, renewable energy that harnesses the sun’s power to generate electricity. These systems are made up of different components that work to convert sunlight into usable energy for homes, businesses, and even entire communities (aka community solar).
What Are the Components of a Solar Power System?
Whether you have a small system or a whole-house solar system, most have three main components: solar panels, inverters, and optional batteries.
Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct-current (DC) electricity. These panels include photovoltaic (PV) cells that absorb photons from the sunlight. The photons excite the electrons within the PV cells, creating DC electricity.
Solar inverters are what make this power compatible with your home. Your home cannot use DC power, as it requires alternating current (AC). It’s these inverters that convert DC into AC electricity.
Solar batteries are optional but can also be highly useful in reducing reliance on the electric grid. These batteries let you store the excess energy your solar energy system generates during peak sunlight hours. You can tap into this stored electricity when the sun sets or during overcast days. They also work great as battery backup during power outages or blackouts and can even allow you to live off-grid, meaning you don’t connect to the power grid at all.
Beyond these main components, solar power systems may also include monitoring systems to track system performance and identify any potential issues that arise, such as under-producing panels or inverter errors.
How Do Solar Power Systems Work?
When sunlight hits the solar panels, the sunlight’s photons dislodge the electrons from the silicon atoms in the panels. This dislodging creates a DC electrical current. The DC flows to the inverter or inverters to convert it to AC power, which makes it suitable for household and business consumption.
Any excess electricity you don’t use can be rerouted to a battery storage system or back to the electric grid. If you opt for the latter and have a net-metering setup with your power company, you can earn credits toward your bill or a periodic payout.
Why Is Regular Solar Power Maintenance Important?
As with most things in life (from your health to your appliances), regular maintenance of your solar panels is crucial to optimize efficiency and lifespan. Through proper maintenance practices, you’ll help your panels perform their best and identify issues before they become major problems.
Enhances Efficiency
Dirt, dust, and other debris can build up on the solar panel surfaces, obstructing sunlight and reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning of the panels, which you can do with water and a soft brush or sponge, removes these contaminants and restores optimal solar energy production.
In addition to cleaning, it’s important to monitor the overall system performance. You can do this through the system monitoring app or software provided by the manufacturer or installer. When you track the system’s power output and compare it to its expected performance, you’ll uncover notable output drops that may be signs of other issues that need further investigation.
Solar panel angle can also impact efficiency. Your installer can adjust and optimize the panels’ tilt angle to maximize sunlight exposure. Over time, the panels can move a bit and need adjusting. To ensure optimal angle, have the installer come out periodically to check and adjust the angles. Alternatively, the installer can add an adjustable mounting system that allows you to change the tilt angle as needed.
Generally, you want to adjust the angle four to five times per year, but this will depend on many variables. It’s best to consult your solar panel installation company and get its recommendation based on your panel setup.
Prolongs Lifespan
Solar panel maintenance can also significantly extend its lifespan. Keeping the panels clean reduces the risk of damage from environmental elements, which lessens their vulnerability to corrosion and color fading.
Inspections are another key part of solar power maintenance. This helps identify small issues early on — such as loose connections, damaged cables, or faulty components — to keep them from becoming serious problems that can lead to larger issues or even solar energy system failure.
In areas prone to extreme weather conditions, PV system inspections after storms or heavy winds are especially important. Physical solar panel damage, such as cracks or shattered glass, needs immediate repairs to avoid further impact on the system’s overall performance.
Regular inspections also allow you to take advantage of technological advancements. During the visual inspection, the solar company may notice outdated components and other upgrade opportunities to enhance system efficiency, potentially saving you on your electricity bill and future maintenance costs.
You should have these professional inspections done once every two years or earlier if you notice performance drops.
What Are Some Basic Solar Power Maintenance Tips?
While certain solar panel maintenance procedures require a professional’s touch and experience, you can take several steps to keep your solar power system in top shape.
Clean Your Solar Panels Twice a Year
The general rule is you want to clean your solar panels twice a year. Doing this is a simple and effective way to maintain their efficiency without calling out a professional.
Before cleaning your solar panels, check the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines, as using the wrong materials and chemicals can damage the panels. Generally, solar panels need just a gentle rinse with water and a soft brush or sponge to wipe away any stuck-on debris.
When cleaning your solar panels, it’s ideal to do so in the early morning or late afternoon. Cleaning solar panels mid-day and under direct sunlight can lead to water spots or streaks that can affect the panels’ efficiency.
The type of cleaning products you use on your solar panels can also affect their lifespan. Harsh chemicals or abrasive materials can damage the protective coating on the panels, leading to lower efficiency and potential long-term damage. Always use mild, non-abrasive cleansers and soft materials to ensure the longevity of your solar panels.
Monitor Your System Performance Regularly
Cleaning isn’t the only maintenance item for your solar panels. You also want to monitor system performance to spot any issues that may arise. Many solar power systems include a monitoring app or software to track energy production and analyze historical data. Some are even advanced enough to monitor each panel individually.
Checking these metrics regularly and comparing them to the expected performance can help you detect any electricity production drops. If you spot a significant decline that continues over several days, you may want to contact a professional to investigate the issue further.
When Should You Hire a Professional for Solar Power Maintenance?
While many folks can handle basic maintenance, some require the expertise of trained professionals. Here’s when it’s wise to call in the professionals.
If you lack experience, are uncomfortable, or aren’t overly handy, you should consult a professional solar power maintenance service. These professionals have the knowledge and specialized equipment to address any issues.
The other time to contact a professional is if you notice a significant, consistent decrease in energy output as this could indicate a system issue. An expert can fully diagnose your solar panel system and recommend appropriate solutions. They can also help determine if any issues are covered under the solar panel manufacturer or workmanship warranty.
What Can You Expect from a Professional Solar Panel Maintenance and Inspection Service?
When you hire a professional solar power maintenance and inspection service, you can expect a range of services, including:
Inspecting and cleaning the solar panels
Testing the inverters and batteries
Identifying and repairing any faulty components
Analyzing and optimizing system performance
Inspecting racks and other mounting hardware
Hiring a professional service provider also means that they’re likely informed about the latest solar technology. As such, they can make helpful recommendations to increase efficiency and longevity. Plus, they have the tools necessary for solar power maintenance, so they can immediately fix any small issues they encounter.
Keep in mind that not all maintenance companies are equal. Do your research and choose a reputable service provider with a good track record for high-quality service and results. Pay attention to online reviews, ask for referrals from friends and family, or consider contacting your solar panel manufacturer or installation company.
What Are Some Common Solar Power Issues?
Proper maintenance can help minimize potential issues, but sometimes things just don’t work properly. Familiarizing yourself with common problems that can affect solar power systems gives you a better chance to troubleshoot them. Here are some of the most common issues you might encounter with some potential DIY fixes.
Excessive Shade
If you notice a sudden drop in energy output, look for the obvious culprit. Check for shading caused by nearby obstructions such as trees, buildings, or chimneys. It only takes a small amount of shade to significantly impact solar panel performance.
If you find a shading issue caused by trees or other natural growth, you can attempt to prune them back to restore their original sunlight exposure. You’ll want to contact a professional for options if the issue is something structural, like a building or chimney. A professional might be able to angle the solar panels differently or relocate them to avoid the new shade.
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Dirt and Debris
Decreased energy output can also be due to debris impeding the sun’s rays from fully hitting the solar panels. This can be dirt, dust, and even bird droppings. Check the panels for debris build-up and clean them or have a professional clean them if they are dirty. Once the panels are clean, recheck the output.
Physical Damage
Even a small crack can significantly decrease solar panel efficiency. As such, it’s a great idea to check for this damage while cleaning the panels. If you spot damage you think may be causing an output issue, take a picture of it and consult a professional to see if that damage could impact performance and how to fix it.
Solar Panel Angle and Orientation
If you’ve determined you don’t have a shading, damage, or debris issue (or you’ve fixed those issues) and you still see reduced energy output, consider adjusting the panel angle and orientation.
Improper alignment and tilting can compromise a panel’s energy production. If your system has a motorized adjustment process, you might be able to make these adjustments yourself and restore efficiency. Make small adjustments to the tilting mechanism and check the monitoring app to see if you’ve restored output. If not, make another adjustment and check again until you restore optimal energy production.
Keep in mind that you may want to call a professional if your solar panel setup has a manual adjustment.
Failed Components
If none of the above issues are causing your problems, it could be something else. Other more serious, issues that can lead to lower energy output include:
A malfunctioning inverter
Faulty wiring
Solar panel degradation
Solar panel defect
In any of these instances, you’ll need a professional to identify, diagnose, and repair the issue.
Solar Panel Maintenance Keeps the Clean Power Flowing
Like so many other things in our lives, maintenance is key to keeping a solar energy system operating at its best. Solar energy maintenance can be as simple as wiping down the panels a few times a year or as in-depth as manually adjusting their tilt several times a year to maximize sun exposure.
Solar panels are a big investment, so you want to perform regular maintenance to ensure they last as long as possible and remain at peak efficiency during their lifespan. Learn more about solar energy and why this green energy source could be right for you.
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