Solar Panel Maintenance — A Key Decision to Make
Energy-efficient and saving devices that depend on the sun as a source of energy are built to perfection and require less maintenance and attention. However, it is vital to always take care of them to enhance their efficiency and performance.
Regular maintenance of solar panels helps to enhance their longevity as well as keeping them in top shape for better performance. Solar panels are a lifetime investment and a sure way of protecting it would be through regular maintenance. The panels absorb direct sunlight and convert it into electricity. However, the amount of dispelled depends on the amount of energy absorbed from the sun.
The solar panel boards need a little attention from the property owner since they play the vital part in converting the solar energy into electrical energy for domestic or commercial use. Remember, the solar panel components are exposed to all forms of external forces and elements which include rain, dirt, algae, and debris.
Some property owners have a notion that the cleaning and maintenance process is long and tedious which is the deterrent but the fact of the matter remains that regular maintenance is ideal for the optimum performance of the solar panel system.
Below are some valuable solar panel maintenance tips to help you keep the system in top shape.
Maintenance
The solar panel performance is guaranteed and most manufacturers accord the solar products a warranty that surpasses a decade. It is a clear indication that it’s a long-term investment that needs proper maintenance.
The responsibility of conducting the regular maintenance routines are passed to the consumer once they own the product. It’s their role to perform the maintenance procedures in a timely manner to enhance their performance and longevity.
Regular maintenance involves a simple routine of cleaning and wiping dust and dirt debris from the panel. Anybody could perform this simple routine since it involves the use of a smooth piece of cloth and soapy water.
You need to eliminate the grime that might have accumulated over a period of time. The maintenance should be done on a regular basis maybe three to four times a year.
What do you need to maintain the solar energy panels?
The routine does not require the use of any advanced tool or technical instruments because it’s fairly simple. Again, no technical knowledge is required to handle the cleaning tasks.
You can work with a brush to help you scrap off any dirt and dust debris. However, you need to be cautious to avoid scratching or damaging the glass component which might reduce the efficiency of the entire panel. You only need to follow the same approach as that used when cleaning a vehicle.
There are delicate parts that need attention and the bodywork needs a soft touch as well to avoid scratching the paint off. People who are new to the maintenance process could initially work with a soft sponge or cloth.
Use a squeegee to remove the dirty water since its ideal for preventing any damage risks related to scratching the glass. In case of oily stains work with a little isopropyl alcohol and rub it gently with a piece of soft cloth or rag. Avoid using strong cleaning solutions at all cost since they can extensively damage the glass.
Regularly Cleaning
There are specially made solar panel cleaning kits available in stores. The kits come with a small brush, a cleanser, liquid soap and, a wiper or a brush. The first step should be mixing the water with soap in a container then dip the brush or wiper and gently brush the surface of the panel to get rid of the dirt and dust.
Instances, where the roof is flat to install a flush system to help, discard any leaves or snow falling. The system should not be buried under dirt or snow for maximum performance and efficiency. Again, the panels should be placed and installed in an inclined angle so that some dirt can slide over easily to avoid over accumulation.
Most manufacturers advocate that the panels should be cleaned once or twice in a year. You can decide to clean the panel every three months depending on the environmental conditions of your area.
Hire a professional or a helper
If you run on a tight working schedule and have no time to perform the maintenance procedure alone you can opt to hire a professional solar panel cleaner. A professional is well vast with the knowledge and experience of performing cleaning procedures in hard to reach areas.
You can easily find a company that specializes in regular maintenance and cleaning of solar panels. Depending on the professionals to do the work for you will guarantee maximum performance all year round. You can create a simple schedule that your selected expert could perform the maintenance procedures in a timely fashion.
It might be tempting for individuals to perform such a simple task but it always a wise decision to leave the work to the professionals who have the knowledge and experience to handle such a task.
Remember, there are other components that are run by the electrical system. These dangerous components may cause accidents to less cautious individuals who don’t pay attention to small details. Some of the components might react with the water or cleaning solutions and may damage the entire system.
Therefore, consulting an expert is always an ideal move to consider if you don’t have the will and time to perform these tasks. Professionals have the ideal expertise handling the PV system and they know the importance of performing the maintenance procedures. The process may sound simple in theory but it may pose a challenge in practice.
Keep an eye on the performance of your solar panels
You can rely on a solar power monitoring device to help you gauge and measure the performance of the solar panel system. The keen interest will help you spot diagnostic issues early enough for quick repairs. An issue will be spotted early and rectified to enhance the performance of the entire system. The tracking system will also indicate the total energy produced by these boards
