Solar Power Maintenance & Repair: Why Hire A Professional?
Solar panels are built in such a way they require minimal maintenance. Despite that, you must maintain them to keep them in good working condition no matter the circumstance. Most homeowners have solar power installation as a long-term energy source to supplement their energy consumption and lower their utility costs.
Since solar energy is produced by solar panels absorbing the sun’s rays and converting them to electricity through photovoltaic cells, we must keep the solar panels clean, free of debris such as algae, rain, and dust.
Most people or homeowners think that solar panel maintenance is a nerve-wracking, time-consuming job that is risky- if you’ve got solar panels mounted on the roof. The reality is that such maintenance cannot be overlooked and has to be done to ensure efficiency over time. In that regard, some homeowners prefer doing it wholly by themselves rather than contract specialists to carry the job. Though it may cost more, some benefits come with contracting such specialists.
WHY HIRE PROFESSIONALS TO CLEAN YOUR SOLAR PANELS?
YOU GET SOLAR INCREASED PANEL EFFICIENCY
Contracting such companies ensures you increase your panels’ efficiency by up to 30% compared to unclean ones. You may ask, “why not do it on my own?” You may, but you are not guaranteed that you are doing it the right way and to the best standards. Google even did a study on how dirt affects solar panel efficiency.
REDUCED RISK OF DAMAGE
Specialized contractors come with advanced cleaning equipment and detergents that won’t be hazardous to your panels. They are trained in solar panel maintenance and best practices. However, doing it alone is never a guarantee that you’ll pull it off. Further, you get to transfer the risk of damage to the company.
THE TYPE OF WATER USED
Most homeowners don’t realize they are destroying their panels by using unsuitable water when cleaning their panels. Trained specialists know that depending on your area of residence, water may contain different mineral elements that could affect the panels hence reducing efficiency. Cleaning companies conduct tests on your water to determine its suitability in cleaning.
PERSONAL SAFETY
You may have all the necessary equipment for your solar panel maintenance. However, there’s always the risk aspect involved with a solar panel installation placed on a towering roof. Such companies come equipped with the appropriate machinery to reach high places. Why take the risk and injure yourself and possibly death when there are people out there to do it for you?
OTHER ADDED BENEFITS
Such cleaning companies come with added advantages in that they offer free advice. During such cleaning, they may notice other anomalies that may affect your panel’s efficiency and advise accordingly. They may even offer free servicing for contracting them to clean your panels as an added service.
It’s also important to note that solar batteries also play an integral part since they work hand in hand with the panels to generate the desired power. So, what goes into solar battery maintenance?
* Depth of discharge- Do not discharge the battery to 100%. The recommended levels are 70%. Discharging it fully means that the battery is dead. On the other hand, overcharging it will lead to plate corrosion and massive water loss.
* Recharge immediately once the battery has been discharged. Never leave it dormant since it will act as a battery memory. The next charge won’t reach the previous charging capacity.
* Use a sizable battery bank bigger than what you need. This will maintain the battery at a recommended discharge level.
* Don’t undercharge the battery. Undercharging causes sulfation- creating sulfate crystals on the plates, which may be quite hard for it to revert to active plate material. It is the main reason for battery failure.
* Battery storage- Always ensure that your batteries are enclosed in a protective area and shielded from environmental elements.
At this juncture, you might be asking yourself whether there’s any difference between the roof panels and ground panels and whether there’s any maintenance difference. Roof panels typically get installed on the roof, with the ground panels being fastened to the ground. The only difference emanates from the fact that ground panels are easier to clean.
However, it’s important to note that once you decide to go solar, it would be best to look around for a reputable company. Good solar companies offer a guarantee period of between 15–20 years, ensuring that its output doesn’t fall below 85%. Getting a warranty also ensures that you are safeguarded from the possibility of losing thousands of dollars once its capacity starts to decline.
HOW DURABLE IS YOUR SOLAR PANEL?
Solar panels are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions such as snow, hail, and hurricanes. Though they aren’t 100% indestructible, they may experience occasional damages from hail, tornadoes, and lightning. However, it’s worth noting that heat is the most adverse weather condition that affects the panels. The panels lose efficiency by 1% when temperatures rise to over 90 degrees. Therefore, such panels should be elevated a few inches to allow for air circulation as a cooling mechanism, whether on the roof or ground level.
HOW OFTEN DO SOLAR PANELS REQUIRE MAINTENANCE?
It’s generally required that you conduct maintenance 2–4 times annually. However, this doesn’t require back-breaking work. You just need a leaf blower or a quick wash with a hose to remove debris such as leaves that may block the sun’s rays.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN SOLAR PANELS?
You should check in with your solar manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations. Ensure you clean them on a cool day or preferably in the morning since they can be quite hot during a sunny day.
First, try a hose to remove the debris, followed by a spongy scrub with soapy water. Do not clean the intricate wiring underneath.
Never pour hot water on an ice-filled panel since you may end up cracking it. Use warm water to rid off the ice.
HOW DO I MONITOR ENERGY USE FROM MY BATTERY?
You can monitor your solar generation, battery, and usage on a Tesla battery that comes equipped with a Tesla monitoring system. A carbon Track system can be used to monitor other types of batteries.
CONCLUSION
Solar panel maintenance isn’t quite hard. A little periodic wash here and there, and you are back in business. Self -cleaning solar panels are also available for the lazy folks. You’ll definitely have to cough more if you don’t mind spending an extra coin.
