How to do Solar Panel Maintenance at Home?
By: Eric Huesca, SEO Content Writer
March 3, 2023
Solar panels provide a sustainable alternative energy source for your homes, offices, and businesses. This energy source gives you control over your utility bills. So, solar is a no-brainer for your property. While solar panels are durable and designed to withstand the elements, they can still accumulate dirt and debris over time. This buildup can reduce their efficiency. So, regular solar panel maintenance is significant to prevent potential issues and ensure their smooth functioning.
If you have installed solar energy panels at your place, what steps would you take to maintain them?
Person wiping a solar panel clean with a squeegee.
Well, this article answers all your queries and provides you with a complete guide for solar panel maintenance to make them operate at peak efficacy.
Inspect for Damage
Inspecting solar panels for damage is a critical part of solar panel maintenance. Addressing any damage or issues with the solar panel upfront can help ensure its optimal performance. If you notice any significant issues with your solar panels, it is recommended to contact a professional for assistance.
Start by Visually Inspecting for any Physical Damage
Look for any cracks, chips, or scratches on the glass or frame of the solar panel. Physical damage can significantly reduce the efficiency of the solar panel. So, it is essential to address any damage as soon as possible.
Check for Water Damage on the Panel's Surface
Look for discoloration, bubbling, or peeling of the protective layer. Water damage can lead to corrosion of the electrical components. It’s mandatory to cure these issues at the earliest; otherwise, you might need extensive maintenance or even complete replacement.
Check for Shading
You also need to check for the shading factor on solar panels caused by nearby trees, buildings, or other objects. Even a small amount of shading can significantly reduce the efficiency of the solar panel.
When a portion of a solar panel is shaded, the shaded cells produce less power than the unshaded cells, which reduces the overall power output of the panel. Thus, for solar panel maintenance, trim trees or remove nearby objects that are causing the shading. It ensures that maximum sunlight reaches the solar panel.
Inspect for Dust and Debris
The dirt and dust buildup can reduce the functioning of the solar panel. Regular cleaning is necessary to remove them. For this purpose, you need to clean the solar panel with a soft brush or cloth and water to wipe off any dirt or debris. Avoid using abrasive materials that can deteriorate the solar panel’s surface.
Inspect the Solar Panel for Microcracks
Microcracks are small cracks in the solar panel that are not visible to you but can still reduce the solar panel’s efficiency. Use a specialized tool such as a thermographic camera to detect any microcracks present.
Check the Connection
Checking the connections is an important part of solar panel maintenance, as loose or damaged connections can cause issues with the solar panel’s performance. Before checking the connections, turn off the solar panel system to ensure your safety and prevent any electrical shock. Here are some steps to check for connections in solar panel maintenance:
Check the Wiring Connections
Inspect the wiring connections of the solar panels, inverters, and batteries to ensure they are secure and damage-free. Check that the wires are not frayed, and the connectors are corrosion-free. Tighten any loose connectors and replace any damaged wires or connectors.
Use a Multimeter
Use a multimeter to test the voltage and current of the solar panel system. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a multimeter. A low voltage or current reading may indicate an issue with the connections. Test each connection point in the system to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
Inspect the Grounding
Check the grounding of the solar panel system to ensure that it is properly connected. The grounding system is a significant feature that helps protect the system from electrical faults and lightning strikes. Inspect the grounding wire and connections for any signs of damage or corrosion, and repair or replace them as needed.
Clean the Connections
Clean the connections using a clean cloth to eradicate any dirt or debris that may be on them. Use a contact cleaner to remove any oxidation or other contaminants that may be on the connections.
Monitor the Performance
After inspecting the home solar panel maintenance, monitor it for any performance issues. Monitoring the performance of a solar panel system is crucial to ensure that it generates the expected amount of power. Contact a solar panel maintenance professional for further inspection if you notice any signicant issues, such as low power output or system faults.
Install a Monitoring System
To monitor solar panel maintenance, install a monitoring system. There are several types of monitoring systems available. It ranges from simple monitoring devices to more advanced systems that require professional installation.
Monitor the Power Output
You can also monitor the power output of your solar energy system regularly. It will help you determine whether your solar panels are producing the expected amount of power. You can do this by checking the inverter’s display or the monitoring system’s app. Compare the power output to the expected output to identify performance issues.
Consider the Weather Conditions
Monitor the weather to understand how it affects your solar panel system’s performance. Weather conditions, such as cloud cover or high temperatures, can affect the amount of power generated by solar panels. Keeping track of the weather can help you identify any patterns that may impact your solar panel system’s performance.
Monitor the Battery System
If your solar panel system includes a battery system, monitor it regularly to ensure that it is charging and discharging correctly. A malfunctioning battery system can reduce the performance of your solar panel system.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Schedule regular maintenance with a professional to ensure that your solar energy system is operating at peak efciency. A professional can perform an inspection of your solar system and identify any issues that may affect its performance.
Trim Trees and Vegetation
Trimming trees and vegetation is an essential part of solar panel maintenance. It ensures that your solar panel system generates the maximum amount of power. Here are some steps to trim trees and vegetation in detail:
Identify the Areas that Need to be Trimmed
Walk around your solar panel system and identify any trees or vegetation that may be blocking the sun’s rays. Trees and vegetation that are taller than your solar panels or are growing too close to them may need to be trimmed or removed.
Determine the Appropriate Trimming Technique
Different types of trees and vegetation require different trimming techniques. For this purpose, you need to determine the shading extent caused by the trees or vegetation. If the shading is significant, you may need to remove the trees or vegetation accordingly. Consult a professional arborist or tree trimming service to determine the appropriate trimming technique. They can also advise you on local regulations regarding tree trimming.
Trim the Trees and Vegetation
Use the appropriate trimming technique to trim the trees and vegetation around your solar panel system. The goal is to remove any branches or leaves that are blocking the sun’s rays while maintaining the health of the trees and vegetation.
Solgen Power
Solgen Power is a solar company that offers and installs solar for homeowners and businesses. We have been offering services nationwide since 2017. Now, we have been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies. In this short span of time, Inc 5000. has us the 12th fastest growing company. At Solgen, we offer high-quality solar equipment and professional installation services to assist in the solar installation process. Our process includes the following;
Determining Your Energy Consumption by Home Inspection
We mainly determine your current energy consumption/ Solgen Power typically performs a home inspection before installing a solar system to ensure that the property is suitable for solar. Our professional team visits the property to evaluate the site’s solar potential. For example, in a home inspection, we assess the orientation and angle of the roof, shading from trees, and more.
We Offer a Free of Charge Customized Design
We also design solar layouts to ensure the correct size and position of the systems to maximize energy production. So, based on the site survey and load analysis, our solar professionals determine the appropriate size of the solar system required to meet the customer’s energy needs. Then our experts create a detailed layout design that shows the placement of the solar panels, inverters, as well as electrical connections.
Assisting in Getting Permits and Applying for Financing
We ensure that there’s no burden of financing on you for solar panel installation. You don’t have to pay anything for the first six months of setup. Instead, we will help you submit for a loan through our financing options. At Solgen, we also work closely with the relevant government agencies to ensure that all permit requirements are met. It ensures that the solar system is installed safely and in compliance with all applicable regulations. For this purpose, we complete the permit application and take care of the submission process. The relevant government agency will review the permit application. If the permit application meets all requirements, it will be approved, and the necessary permits will be issued. Once the permits are obtained, the solar installation can begin.
We Ensure the Quickest Installation Process within 1-2 days
Our residential solar panel installation doesn’t take more than 2 days. Once we arrive at your residence, we bring all essentials and experts to carry out the whole process without any delay. Our experienced team ensures seamless installation and leaves your house without any mess— clean and clear. The only addition would be your very own solar system to fulfill all your energy needs.
We Help you Deal with Local Government Authorities
Throughout the journey, our team will ensure to fulll every legal demand of local authorities, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Wrap-Up
From the initial inspection to running the whole system, Solgen Power fulfills its every commitment. Even later on, our team is always ready to assist you with any solar panel maintenance.
Contact us to get the first free personalized design!
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Solgen Power is a solar energy contractor that sells and installs solar for homeowners. Solgen Power has been recognized by INC. 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Solgen Power has grown nationwide and continues to provide excellent customer service to homeowners.
