How to Maintain Solar Panels
Solar panels are a solid investment. Basically, you have to pay once and enjoy renewable and cheap energy ever after. Seems like a great deal and it really is. However, all purchasers must understand that to work properly and last long any device needs maintenance and care.
All solar panels are different, and you have to know precisely how to maintain them. Keep in mind that the amount of energy they can produce depends on several factors. First, the surface of a solar cell must be clean, so it can easily absorb the sunshine and power your home appliances. Some solar systems can work for a while without you paying any attention to them. But if you want your PV panels to work for ages and constantly supply you with Eco-friendly energy, learn how to clean them once in a while. You should also monitor their performance to make sure your photovoltaic equipment is efficient.
Regular cleaning
Unsurprisingly, the easiest way to keep the surface of your solar panels clean is to wash them regularly. Make sure your roof is safe and you will not slip when cleaning the glassy surface of solar panels. A friendly reminder from Solar Panels Company: be careful not to fall! Better if a family member is there to help you out. For your safety and the safety of others around you, use a long handled wiper to clean the panels while you are standing on the ground.
First, you must mix enough liquid soap with clean water. Then you should dip a soft brush in this water and rub it all over the surface of your PV panels. If they cover a lot of space, it is better to have a brush with a long handle.
Once your panels are wet, you can take a piece of soft dry cloth to wipe them dry. Make sure you do not procrastinate with this step. You want to prevent the soap from drying out and leaving stains since they will block sunlight from solar cells and affect the work of your panels.
Keep in mind that the dust may cover solar panels quickly or slowly depending on the area characteristics and weather conditions. So, if you live in a windy or polluted location, try to clean your panels at least several times every month to make sure they don’t get dusted.
Monitoring Performance
Install a monitoring system to keep an eye on the performance of your solar panels. When the performance goes down you’ll know that maintenance is required. Here are some advantages of installing a solar panel monitoring system.
- You can keep track of how much energy is being produced by your solar panels.
- Monitoring systems can show you how you are benefiting the environment, such as lower amounts of CO2 emissions compared to other energy systems. These statistics may help you receive tax benefits when filing your tax return.
- Diagnose problems through your monitoring system. Many of these devices will tell you which areas of your solar panel are not functioning properly and need repair.
- See information about your solar panels on a wall-mounted display while at home or via the Internet while traveling.
Necessary tools
You can purchase a special kit to maintain your solar system, however, it is possible to utilize the same cleaning equipment you use to wash your car. Things like a liquid soap, a soft brush and a wiper can be found in any household.
However, abstain from using anything that may scratch or damage the surface of a solar cell. While it was designed to withstand adverse weather conditions, continuous careless handling can harm the coating.
Professional maintenance
If you cannot reach certain areas of your panels or simply want a professional to deal with cleaning duties, you should hire a solar specialist. They know everything about solar panel maintenance, so, this will be a nice opportunity to learn how to make the best out of your solar system. Additionally, their inventory includes a variety of cleansers that can help you remove any stain from the valuable glass-surface (e.g. bird droppings, wood tar).
All in all, it is not too hard to maintain photovoltaic panels on your own unless you can benefit from assistance of an experienced solar expert. Spend at least a few hours every month to clean solar panels and they will supply your family with electricity for many long years!
