Solar energy is more accessible and affordable today than it has ever been, thanks to the recent rise of the solar panel technology. However, what many people don’t know is that once you install solar panels, your job is far from done. There are certain things you need to do to ensure that your panels last you a long time. That’s why today, we’ll provide you with five easy solar panel maintenance tips.
Nowadays, more and more people are switching to solar, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it can also save you a lot of money you’d otherwise spend on utility bills.
Tip 1. Clean The Panels Regularly
Since solar panels are installed outside, they will inevitably get dirty due to weather and debris, such as dust, pollen, and bird droppings. These can seriously compromise the panels’ efficacy, so make sure you clean the panels on a regular basis. If you don’t, the lifespan of the panels will get significantly shorter.
Here’s a piece of advice — don’t try to clean the panels during the day, as they can get quite hot, and you might burn yourself. Instead, do it in the early morning or late afternoon when they cool down.
To clean the panels, you can either hose them down with water or gently scrub them with a sponge and a bit of glass cleaner. However, before you do that, check if the manufacturer of the panels provided some cleaning instructions and follow those.
Also, in some cases, the manufacturer will offer free cleaning services to their clients. If that applies to you, you should definitely take advantage of it. It is always better to let the professionals do it.
Tip 2. Do Regular Checkups
Every once in a while, you should check your solar panels to see if there’s any damage. You should do that whenever there’s a storm. If there’s hail, your panels might get scratched or even broken. In that case, you’ll definitely need to repair or replace them.
Tip 3. Don’t Forget To Check The Frames And Wiring
Another thing you should do is check the panels’ frames and wiring. See if the frames have any holes that water or debris could get through. Additionally, you should make sure that the wiring is intact. If it is even slightly damaged, you should try to repair it as soon as possible, as it could cause serious electrical issues.
However, unless you’re an expert in the field, you shouldn’t try to fix anything yourself. Contact the panel manufacturer first and consult with them.
Tip 4. Make Sure You Keep The Panels In Direct Sunlight
To get the energy they need, solar panels need to be exposed to direct sunlight for as long as possible. And being that the Sun doesn’t stay in place all day, you should carefully think about the panels’ placement. You’ll need to ensure that they don’t end up in the shade at any point of the day.
That also includes the maintenance of surrounding trees and hedges. If you don’t trim them regularly, they might grow out and block the panels from getting any sunlight.
Tip 5. Get A Monitoring System
Another way you can make sure that your solar panels are working properly is by installing an energy monitoring system. It will help you keep track of all the necessary metrics, as well as the overall performance of the panels. Using this system, you can also monitor your savings and see how much money and energy you’ve saved by switching to solar.
Final Solar Power Thoughts
All in all, regular maintenance is a must when you have solar panels. Besides, it doesn’t take much time or effort. If you follow these five easy solar panel maintenance tips, you won’t have to replace your panels anytime soon, that’s for sure.
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