Electricity has become an indispensable part of modern life. As demand surges, the search for sustainable and cost-effective alternatives is gaining momentum, leading to the rise of renewable energy solutions. Impressively, renewable sources generated a record 834 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in 2020, accounting for 21% of the total electricity production in the United States, as reported by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Among these eco-friendly options, solar power has emerged as a popular choice. Investing in solar panels offers numerous benefits, including cost savings and environmental friendliness. However, to fully harness their potential, proper solar panel maintenance is necessary. Throughout this discussion, you’ll uncover the essential dos and don’ts for maintaining your solar panels, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Do’s
- Turn Off The Power
Turning off power is the first and crucial step when doing maintenance. It is a practice to ensure safety. To do this, you can ask your solar power vendor or installer how to shut off your solar power system. You can also check the manual for instructions.
- Inspect Your Solar Panel
After turning off the power, you must check your solar panel for damage. You have to look for minor issues in your panel. To ensure the excellent condition of your solar panel, you must check if the wiring is tight and the mounting systems are secured.
- Clean Regularly
It will be best if you clean your solar panel regularly. You can do these two to four times a year. It will be helpful to use a monitoring app. This app can help you track how much energy it can produce. If you notice that there is a decrease in efficiency and energy production, this will serve as an indication that you need to clean it. Aside from cleaning the panel itself, ensure that it is clear of any obstructions from outside objects, such as leaves.
- Use The Right Materials
You can use a leaf blower to remove leaves and debris when cleaning your panel system. You can opt for a soft brush or broom if you don’t have a leaf blower. To further remove excessive dust, it will help to use your hose to rinse off your panel. If your solar panel is elevated, you can use a squeegee with an extended handle.
Don’ts
- Ignore Warning Signs And Minor Damages
You must check for cracks and hot spots. Moreover, there are also other warning signs that you must look at to determine if your solar panel requires repair. These signs can include broken glass with microfractures, discoloration, and burnt marks. Always immediately tend to these to avoid further damage to your system.
- Use Abrasive Tools And Harsh Chemicals
Abrasive tools for cleaning can be a source of scratching, clouding, and damaging the front glass. So, instead of abrasive tools, opting for non-abrasive clothing, sponges, and elbow grease is best. When you need to clean your panels further, it will help if you ask your installer what cleaning products you must use. If you’re into DIY cleaning and maintenance, use soapy water with mild dishwashing liquid. You must prevent using harsh chemicals or detergents.
- Use Hard Water And A Pressure Washer
Using hard water can leave behind mineral deposits on the solar panel’s surface, leading to a reduction in energy production. These deposits create a layer that obstructs sunlight, negatively impacting the panel’s overall efficiency.
Instead, opt for soft or distilled water, which will effectively clean the panels without the risk of mineral buildup. While addressing the issue of water quality is important, it’s also important to consider the method of cleaning your panels.
Using a pressure washer might seem like an efficient way to remove dirt and grime, but the high pressure can damage the panels. Solar panels are designed with a delicate surface that allows for optimal sunlight absorption. Exposing them to high-pressure water streams can cause cracks or dislodge connections, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
A better alternative is to use a gentle stream of water with a soft brush or sponge, which will safely remove any dirt without damaging the panels.
- Repair Without Professional Help
Professional help is necessary when maintaining your solar power system. There are still other maintenance activities that require additional support from an expert. Therefore, always practice asking for maintenance assistance from a reliable and experienced installer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the things you don’t know. Also, it will help if you ask them for other tips on how to lengthen the life span of your system.
Conclusion
The following do’s and don’ts can help you maintain your solar panel effectively. Taking care of your solar panel is crucial to lengthening its life span. Always remember, if you want a long-term, cost-effective energy solution, it’s time to understand and learn how to properly care for your solar panel.