Regular maintenance of solar panels is essential to ensure their efficiency and longevity. Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on the panel’s surface, reducing its ability to absorb sunlight. Periodic cleaning and maintenance help maximize energy production, ensuring that solar panels continue to be a reliable and sustainable source of clean energy. In this blog, we will tell you some solar panel maintenance tips and tricks that will help you maintain your solar panels effectively ensuring that they continue to serve as a steadfast and sustainable energy solution. Let’s get started, shall we?

Solar Panel Maintenance Tips

Given below are a few solar panel maintenance tips that will help you preserve your solar panel’s efficiency and maximize its performance and longevity.

1) Structure Inspection

Ensure the mounting structure and wiring remain secure to avoid any issues, enabling the system’s stability. 

2) Panel Inspection

Examine the panels for any cracks or damage as this can impact their efficiency and performance. 

3) Avoid Shade

Keep the solar panel exposed to direct sunlight as it won’t function optimally in the shade. 

4) Routine Examination of the Components

Inspect all components regularly to ensure smooth operation and longevity of the system. 

Read also: Best Solar EPC Companies in India 2023

Solar Panel Cleaning Tips

Follow these solar panel cleaning tips and enjoy optimal solar panel performance 

1) Use Mild Cleaning Solution

In most cases, using just water and a soft cloth or sponge will be enough to clean your solar panels. However, if you encounter stubborn dirt or grime, you can create a mild cleaning solution. Mix a small amount of dish soap with water to create a mild soapy solution. Avoid using strong cleaners, which can harm the panel’s surface and reduce efficiency.

2) Rinse Thoroughly

After cleaning, rinse the panels with clean water to remove any soap residue. Make sure there is no moisture left on the panels, as it can lead to mineral buildup.

3) Form a Regular Cleaning Schedule

Having a cleaning schedule is important to ensure the maintenance of solar panels. Your cleaning schedule may vary depending on your location and environmental factors. In low dust or low pollution areas, cleaning every few months may be sufficient. However, in high dust or high pollution areas, frequent cleaning may be necessary. 

4) Make Use of Professional Cleaning Services

Professional Solar Panel cleaning services are also available for people who are uncomfortable with cleaning the panels themselves or have their panels installed in challenging locations. These services are extremely reliable and possess the necessary equipment and experience to clean your panels safely and effectively.

Best Safety Precautions should be Taken while Cleaning The Solar Panel

Here are a few precautions that you can take to ensure no damage to your panel and maintain its efficiency.

1) Safety First: Before you begin cleaning your solar panels, prioritize safety. Ensure you have a stable platform or ladder to access the panels safely. If you have rooftop solar panels, take extra precautions to prevent accidents. Wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves and safety glasses, to protect yourself during the cleaning process.

2) Choose the Right Time: It’s best to clean your solar panels early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the panels have cooled down. Cleaning hot panels can cause water to evaporate quickly, leaving streaks or residue behind.

3)Use Soft Materials: Avoid harsh materials like scrub brushes or harsh chemicals that can scratch the glass surface of the panels. Instead, opt for soft materials as cleaning tools. A soft brush or a squeegee with a sponge or soft cloth is ideal for removing dirt and grime without damaging the panels.

4)Monitor Performance: Keep track of your solar system’s performance to detect any significant drops in energy production. Sudden decreases may indicate a need for cleaning or maintenance.

Conclusion

Proper maintenance and regular cleaning of solar panels are essential for maintaining their efficiency and longevity. These devices play a vital role in converting sunlight into clean energy for both residential and commercial use. Accumulated dust, dirt, and debris can diminish their capacity to capture sunlight, leading to reduced energy production. By following the recommended maintenance practices and cleaning tips, you can ensure that your solar panels continue to provide a reliable and sustainable source of clean energy. These steps are crucial for optimizing the performance of your solar investment and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.

Read also: Can Your House Run on a 5kW Solar System?

Solar panel maintenance is minimal with a properly installed solar system. However, keep the following maintenance guidelines in mind to keep your solar system in good working order.

Tips for Solar Panels Maintenance

Once correctly established, a solar energy system requires little upkeep. A good solar system can easily last for more than 15 years. Solar panels, in fact, come with a 25-year performance warranty. With proper care, you can expect a consistent and maximized output over a lengthy period of time. Here are the best tips for maintaining solar panels :

1. Cleaning Solar Panels

Cleaning the solar panels is simple but time-consuming. It guarantees that the solar cells are not obscured and receive the most amount of insolation possible. Solar panels must be kept clean in order to maximize their energy output. Cleaning the glass on the panels is a straightforward task that can be repeated as needed depending on the amount of grime that has accumulated. Use a gentle towel or wash rag and biodegradable soap to clean the panels. If you’re merely dealing with dust, a hose pipe filled with water can be used to spray the panels.

2. Keep Away from Shading

When you conduct a thorough site investigation prior to installation, one of the things you want to avoid is shading. Once the panels are in place, keep an eye out for shading, such as new high trees, which will reduce the amount of energy produced by the system. You don’t have to cut down trees, but you can prune them to keep the panels from being shadowed.

3. Performance Monitoring

Monitoring the system’s performance on a daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis is the only approach to notice a problem.

Solar panel upkeep is required on a daily basis. Daily checks should include checking the inverter display for proper operation and the presence of the green light, failing which you should consult the handbook. Also, keep a daily record of the system’s output so that you can track its success over time. This is something that most modern inverters and monitoring software will take care of for you.

The cleanliness of the panels, as well as the collection of any dust and debris under and around the PV array, is checked on a monthly and quarterly basis. Annual maintenance checks are more rigorous and should include a complete examination of the entire system to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Read Also: Top 10 Solar Panel Manufacturers in India

Yearly Solar Panels Maintenance Cost

The following are some of the annual solar panels maintenance cost services:

·   Review the daily performance statistics to discover any large variations in output as a general performance check of the system.

·   Ensure that the solar panels are clean, free of fractures, scratches, corrosion, moisture infiltration, and browning.

·   Cabling should be double-checked to confirm that it is secure and that string voltages are within the specified tolerance.

·   Ensure that the mounting hardware is in excellent working order and that the earth connection is maintained.

·   Inspection of junction boxes to check that there is no water collection and that the lid seals, connections, and clamping devices are in good working order.

·   Breakers must be inspected for any damage and the isolation devices must function properly.

·   Water damage to fuse boxes and resistive joints on connections is checked.

·   Inspect the inverters for any damage, check for any resistive joints on connections, and confirm the DC voltage entering the inverter.

How much does it cost to maintain a PV solar system?

One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of your day or week can be waiting for the call to find out how much a repair will cost. We’ve been there before. The bad news is that the cost of a solar system repair varies greatly. The good news is that it won’t matter if you buy high-quality parts and work with an installation that will stand behind its work.

You may be insured if something goes wrong with a piece of equipment. For a set amount of time, manufacturers’ warranties include solar panels, inverters, batteries, and racking.

You may be covered by a solar installation guarantee, depending on the solar EPC company you choose. These warranties are in addition to the manufacturers and pertain to the actual design and installation of your system. Our Triple Ten Guarantee at Paradise Energy protects your system above and above the manufacturer’s warranties on your equipment, ensuring that your panels stay operational.

Another thing to consider is the cost of removing and reinstalling your solar panels if your roof has to be repaired. Depending on the system size, site circumstances, and the entire scope of required repair, this may cost homeowners anywhere from Rs.3,000 to Rs.10,000. Businesses could spend upwards of Rs.20,000 on advertising.

Conclusion

Solar panels are among the most low-maintenance house upgrades available. Many panels, in fact, outlast their 30-year warranties; panels from the 1970s are still providing power today! When it comes to your solar panels, though, a little extra attention can go a long way. Better health means more efficiency, which means your solar panels will last longer.

Read Also: The Ultimate Guide to Solar Panels For Home Installation