The maintenance of solar panels can help to ensure you get the most from their performance and make certain that your solar system will have a long life. Solar panels are known to be very efficient and do not require a lot of maintenance but it is still necessary to take some steps to safeguard your investment.
The good news is there are just seven easy solar panel maintenance steps to follow to ensure the durability of your system for many years to come:
Regularly inspect solar panels
Every good maintenance program begins with an inspection. Regardless of where a system is installed or how large it is, regular inspection is important to make sure it continues to operate in the proper manner. It is also vital to perform such an inspection before and after extreme weather events such as storms. Check that the glass is not discolored, chipped or cracked.
Clean solar panels frequently
It is advisable to regularly clean solar panels to ensure they continue to operate at maximum efficiency. It can be a simple procedure with water rather than cleaning products that can be abrasive. Avoid high pressure cleaning systems and avoid putting any type of pressure on the solar panels, while also checking for special instructions in your system’s documentation.
Inspecting cabling
Solar panels do not exist in isolation. Their photovoltaic cells need to be wired up to a battery system, display and inverter. It is therefore crucial to make sure that all cables and fittings are properly attached and that electrical connections are all secure.
This is often a specialized task that will require the services of an electrician, although many solar power providers will offer a solar panel maintenance package upon purchase and installation.
Reviewing the inverter display
It is usually difficult to tell a lot about a solar power system by simply looking at it. The purpose of an inverter display unit is to offer users helpful information about their energy input and output, their working voltage and other data.
Those who want to become fully au fait with their solar system will need to analyze this data in different weather conditions and at different times of the day. After you have familiarized yourself with the workings of your system you will be able to more easily identify problems.
Identify emergency procedures
Although it is unlikely that customers will have to make use of the emergency shutdown and isolation procedure of a solar system, it is still a good idea to identify and know how to use them just in case.
Make sure that the procedures are on clear display and have been read, and remember them in the event that an emergency does arise and you have to act fast.
Avoiding overhanging trees
Solar systems absorb the energy from the sun and transform it into electricity. Solar panels are thus much more efficient when they are in full sunlight and are not being covered by overhanging trees. Remove overhanging trees and branches to ensure your solar system is safe and working at maximum capacity.
Having an annual maintenance schedule is a good way to make sure your system works at full efficiency.
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