With more than two million solar panel systems installed, the U.S. is one of the biggest solar power producers in the world. By 2015, the amount of solar power installed in the U.S. had increased to 27.4 gigawatts, down from 1.2 GW produced in 2008.
With proper maintenance and installation, your solar panels can serve you for more than three decades while producing power optimally. The best way to maintain your solar panels is by engaging a solar panel maintenance company.
Here is what you need to know about solar panel maintenance.
1. Your Solar Panels Need to Be Cleaned Periodically
Cleaning your solar panels is necessary to clear any debris that may have accumulated on the surface of the solar panels. Dust particles, leaves, and bird droppings are common debris that may accumulate on your solar panels. Although most of it is washed off when it rains, some debris may stick on the surface during the dry season. A solar panel maintenance company will clean your solar panels exhaustively to remove any foreign materials trapped on your solar panels.
Generally, solar panels are low maintenance. You can schedule an annual maintenance plan with a solar power company to inspect and clean your solar system. These professionals will also diagnose your solar extensively to address any technical issues that may be reducing your productivity.
2. The Lights on Your Inverter Will Tell You the State of Your Solar Panel System
Observing the display light on your inverter will tell you when your solar system has a problem. Greenlight on your inverter indicates that your solar system is working efficiently. Blinking green light means that there is low light outside, and your solar system is waiting for more sunlight. This shouldn’t be a cause for alarm because the blinking stops when there’s enough sunshine.
When there’s no color displayed on the inverter, it means that there’s no solar power being produced. This will be the case at night, when it’s snowing, raining, and every time there’s no sunshine. However, if the inverter doesn’t display and there’s plenty of sunshine outside, you should seek solar panel repair services to get to the bottom of the problem.
If your solar inverter is displaying a red, orange, or yellow light, call your solar panel maintenance company. The problem may be as simple as a loose wire connection, or the photovoltaic cells may be damaged. Additionally, the inverter may display different error codes. This also needs a professional to diagnose the root cause.
3. Catastrophic Weather May Destroy Your Solar Panel System
Adverse weather conditions such as hurricanes, storms, and tornados may damage the glass of the solar panel. Sharp objects hurled by hurricanes can easily land on the surface of the solar panel and break the glass. This will have adverse effects on your solar power production, and the overall health of the solar systems.
When the glass on solar panels is damaged, it will allow water to destroy the photovoltaic cells and the other components of the solar panel. Ultimately, you would have to replace or conduct expensive repairs to reverse the damage.
4. Consult a Solar Panel Repair Company If Your Solar Production Goes Below the Expected Output
If you notice a sudden decrease in the amount of solar energy produced by your system, you should have an expert look at it. Normally, your solar power production varies from season to season. You’ll experience maximum production in spring and summer. During winter, your solar panels may produce 40- 60% less energy.
However, if the rate of production drops at an alarming rate even in the summer, your solar system may have a more complex problem. A solar panel maintenance company will be able to detect such issues and fix them in good time.
After investing a lot of money to buy and install a top-quality solar power system, it makes sense to schedule solar panel maintenance services. Regular maintenance will increase the lifespan of your solar panels.
