Solar panels are a smart and eco-friendly way to power your home or business. Once installed, they help lower your electricity bills and reduce your impact on the environment. But just like any other system, your solar panels need care to keep working well.
Most are under the impression that solar panels do not require any form of care. Although they do not require very close attention, cleaning and service may make a significant difference. Properly taking care of the solar system will work more efficiently, serve a longer life, and be more economically wise in the long run.
Solar panels will be an excellent method to save and use clean energy. However, when they are installed, there are still some things to do to maintain their good performance. Banking on the passage of time, items such as dust, leaves, and bird droppings have the potential of covering your panels and obstructing sunlight.
Panels create less electricity when they are soiled or rubbed down. This implies that you use less energy and can consume more energy. Another way you might suffer is by losing the protection of a warranty, which might end up costing you when major repairs to your vehicle have to be done.
Solar panels do not require daily maintenance, but it is important that they are cleaned every once in a while. Sunlight is minimised by pouring dirt, dust and bird faces on the glass. Tidy panels produce more power.
There are soft cloths, sponges, or soft brushes that you can apply to gently wipe your panels with clean water. This should be done in the early morning or evening after the panels cool down. Do not apply harsh chemicals and tools as well as high-pressurised water, as these may spoil the panels.
Some of the panels may be on a steep or high roofline, which is not advisable; do make it safe and employ a professional. A qualified technician is able to clean the surface, check the damage, and ensure that the system functions well. Sun 2 Solar is a cleaning and inspection company based in Ballarat for homes and businesses.
Solar systems are built to last, but problems can still occur. Knowing what to look for helps you fix small issues before they become big and expensive.
One common warning sign is lower power than normal on sunny days. If your monitoring app or inverter shows a sudden drop and the weather looks fine, something may be wrong. You might also see or hear warning lights, error codes, or beeping from the inverter.
Look at your system from the ground where it was safe. When pieces of cracked glass, rust, loose cables, or watermarks are around the frame, everything is an indication that your solar system requires very urgent attention.
An annual checkup by a solar expert will make your system secure and efficient. Sun 2 Solar is able to check, test, and repair faults within a short period of time.
Watching your system’s performance is one of the easiest ways to protect your solar investment. Most modern systems come with an inverter screen or a phone app that shows how much power your panels are making.
Occasionally, check the numbers. In case your normal energy is, say, x, and now it has become extremely less, something could have covered the panels or shaded them, or one portion of the panel has broken down. Quick action can stop small issues from turning into energy loss.
Some monitoring tools can send alerts if your system shuts down or drops output. If you do not have a monitoring setup, ask about adding one. Sun 2 Solar can help you choose a simple system, so you always know how your panels are performing.
One of the most common questions we get at Sun 2 Solar is: “How much does it cost to maintain solar panels?”
Average pricing in Australia:
The prices can vary depending on the size of your system, its location, and access to the roof. Depending on the region, cleaning may be as often as once a year and as seldom as twice a year, as is common in places in Ballarat where dust and seasonal rain may cause the accumulation of the dirt.The routine maintenance is an inexpensive outlay in comparison with the eventual energy losses of a lackadaisical system.