Photovoltaic panels are a great investment that can provide cheap, renewable solar energy for the next 25 years or so.
But the key question is: how to maintain them? Do solar panels, like your car, require regular adjustments to stay in peak condition? Or should you just leave them alone?
Solar panel maintenance at a glance:
Solar panels require very little maintenance, especially if they are tilted, as rain can wash away any debris.
It is generally recommended that you clean the solar panel several times a year.
Using a monitoring application can help you keep track of how much energy your panels produce. If you notice a drop in production, it might be time to clean your panels.
Do solar panels need maintenance?
Solar panels usually require very little maintenance to work, so yes, you can just leave them alone. The only thing they need is a light periodic cleaning to ensure that dust, leaves and other debris aren't blocking the sun's rays.
Is it possible to monitor the health of your solar panels?
If the energy output of your panels starts to decrease, you can monitor it through an application. Lower power output could be a sign that your panels are clogged with something, like debris, and can't generate their typical amount of electricity.
By integrating a solar panel monitoring system into your setup, you can track how much energy your panels produce on a given day and how much they produce over time. This allows you to see exactly how various external factors affect the performance of your panels and how well they are maintaining their efficiency over their lifetime. The monitoring system will also alert you if a panel breaks or malfunctions so you can repair or replace it.
How to maintain your panels?
Depending on their position on the globe, there will be an optimal inclination for the panels: the rain will actually clean the accumulated debris on them. However, during the dry season or extended periods without rain, it is important to manually clean them.
It is generally recommended that you clean a solar panel several times a year. While this may seem like a lot, the good news is that it doesn't require a lot of work. All you really need is a quick spray with a garden hose or detergent, and your panels will be clean and in great condition.
Ground Mounted Panels Versus Roof Panels - Is There a Maintenance Difference?
When it comes to maintenance, the only real difference between ground-mounted solar systems and rooftop solar systems is that in-ground panels are easier to access and therefore easier to keep clean. If you notice a buildup of dust and debris, you can simply clean it with a soft-bristled broom.
How does extreme weather affect your solar panels?
Solar panels are designed to be durable. High-quality solar panel installations allow PV systems to withstand all types of weather, from wind and rain to sand and more.
They can even survive hurricanes.
Of course, they are not 100% indestructible; on rare occasions, they may be damaged by hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, or lightning. But as long as you have a good warranty, you can repair or replace any damaged panels.
Ironically, the type of weather that affects panels the most is heat. When the temperature exceeds 25°C, the panels lose efficiency by approximately 1% per degree. However, raising them a few inches above the ground or roof allows air to circulate, which can help to lower the temperature and maintain energy production. Solar panel performance in hot temperatures is not critical, your solar installer will take local weather factors into account when installing the panels.
How to repair or replace solar panels
If your panels need to be repaired or replaced, it's best to hire a professional.
If they are losing efficiency and are still under performance or power warranty, call the company that installed your panels. They will send someone to assess the situation and fix the problem or replace the panels.
Tferfi
Tferfi, in addition to installing the photovoltaic panels, carries out their maintenance, guaranteeing a useful life of 25 years. In addition to the guarantee, Tferfi sells Tecnadis Self Clean, a product using nanotechnology, which, when applied and used on a solar panel, makes it water and dust repellent, giving it a protective layer that increases the performance of solar panels in 8 percent.
Comments