How do I maintain my solar panels? If you’ve recently had solar panels installed on your home, you may be wondering if they need to be maintained. There are many things you should do to maintain their efficiency.
Tips for Maintaining Solar Panels
What do I need to know about maintaining my solar panels? Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your solar panels continue to operate as they should.
Avoid Putting Panels in Shade
Solar panels get their energy from the sun. If you have trees or a lot of shade over your home, you need to make sure that you trim the trees. Depending on where your home is located, it could be very difficult to keep your panels out of the shade completely. However, during the installation process, the trees will be trimmed to enable more uninterrupted sunlight. The goal is to not have your panels completed in shady areas.
Record How Well the Panels Are Performing
When you get your panels installed by a professional, they will probably tell you to record the performance of your solar panels. You can do this by recording the number of kWhs that are produced on a monthly basis. If you notice any problems with shading or inverters, you should record those as well. Throughout the year, you should refer back to the numbers you recorded so that you will have them if you ever need to refer to them in the near future. Additionally, you can use apps and other digital resources to keep a record of this information.
Eliminate Debris
If you notice any debris on your solar panels, make sure that you remove it. Debris can negatively affect the panel’s ability to construct electricity. Debris that can get in the way can include branches and leaves. If you are not comfortable taking care of this on your own, you can always contact a professional to handle it.
Bird droppings on your panels can also negatively impact the way your solar panels operate. Bird droppings can accumulate over time the more and more time that birds spend perching on the panels.
Schedule Regular Cleaning
If you notice that you are having other issues besides the ones mentioned above, you should reach out to a professional to help diagnose other problems that could be going on. It may be possible that you are missing an important task. Cleaning your solar panels may or may not apply to you, depending on the location of your home. Either way, your technician will walk you through your options.
If you decide to clean your solar panels on your own, you will need a few things to ensure that you do not damage them. Be sure to use the following:
- Hose
- Telescoping pole
- A brush head that is soft
- Gentle cleaning solution
Remember to only wash your panels when they are cooled off during the evening or on a day when there is no sunlight.