Maintaining Solar Panels

Though solar panels once installed will work efficiently for a long period of time, they, too, need proper maintenance just like your microwave, television, clothes and car. Thankfully maintaining a solar panel doesn’t require any special technical know how and it involves only a bit of regular cleaning and inspections, every now and then.

Most responsible manufacturers will tell you about the kind of care that is involved in keeping your solar panels working to their full potential. Typically solar panels may require maintenance due to the following problems:

• Bird droppings and dust are the main factors that may affect the efficiency of your solar panels and may reduce it by as much as 7% annually.
• A solar panel frame may deteriorate over time under extreme weather conditions.
• During autumn, waterlogged leaves may collect on the top of the panel.
• The panel mounting almost always undergoes corrosion over time and may need to be tended to.

Now let look at some effective tips that can assist you in maintaining your solar panels:

• Different solar panel systems may require different kinds of maintenance though having an annual maintenance plan of around 15-20 hours will do. Depending upon the site some may require thorough maintenance 1-5 times a year.
• More attention is needed for panels that are located in industrial or agricultural areas thus panels must be tended to at a time when very high production is expected.
• To clean a solar panel, any non-abrasive cleansing material or even a dishwashing soap can be used. Most of the times a hose or a water spray cleaner would suffice. Special solar panel cleaners along with a number of solar panel cleaning products are also available in the market for this purpose.
• Special attention should be given to frames that keep the panel together so they do not give in before the life of the solar panel ends.
• Solar panel installation is a one-time affair and should be give utmost importance. Solar panels rarely fail, and if they do, it’s only because of damage caused by water thus precise installation is critical.
• A proper log can be maintained for all previous maintenance procedures and further actions can be planned accordingly.
• Installation services can always be contacted for more complex procedures like checking connections and fuse holders and also to repair damages around the frame.
• Leaves and other debris that may collect on your panels can only be cleaned up manually so this will require around 15-20 minutes of effort from your side.
• In case of a solar thermal panel, regular checks for fluid leaks are indispensable. It is advisable to get profession help for repair work if any fluid leaks do happen.

Solar thermal panels require little maintenance. Most manufacturers recommend a change of transfer fluids every few years but a lot of thermal panel users have done this only after a decade of successful heating.

Solar panels have no moving parts and that makes them relatively maintenance free but you can’t just throw your panels on your roof and then forget about them. Take care of your solar panels well and they will surely take care of your energy needs.