Over a 20-year period, the maintenance costs of solar trackers are generally higher than those of fixed solar panels due to the trackers’ moving parts and increased complexity.
Maintenance Costs of Fixed Solar Panels
- Annual maintenance costs for fixed solar panel systems typically range between $300 and $700 for commercial installations, accounting for about 1-2% of the total system cost per year.
- Maintenance mainly includes regular cleaning and inspections; professional cleaning costs range from $3 to $7 per panel, with 2-3 cleanings needed annually based on local conditions.
- Inspections are usually conducted twice a year, costing around $150-$300 per visit, covering performance monitoring and electrical checks.
- Over 20 years, this could accumulate to roughly $6,000 to $14,000 in maintenance expenses for a commercial-sized system, assuming similar annual costs persist.
Maintenance Costs of Solar Trackers
- Solar trackers have mechanical moving parts that increase the likelihood of wear and breakdowns, leading to higher maintenance requirements and thus higher costs.
- While exact maintenance costs can vary, the presence of moving components typically leads to additional expenses for repairs and servicing compared to fixed systems.
- The initial investment in trackers is much higher (e.g., an extra $500 per panel for single-axis and up to $1,000 per panel for dual-axis trackers), and maintenance over time further adds to the cost burden.
- The higher maintenance needs and costs contribute to a longer payback period, nearing 20 years for systems with trackers, as the additional energy savings do not fully offset these extra costs.
Summary Comparison
| Aspect | Fixed Solar Panels | Solar Trackers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance | $300-$700 | Higher due to moving parts; unspecified but significantly more than fixed |
| Maintenance Tasks | Cleaning, inspection, minor repairs | Cleaning, inspection, mechanical servicing, repairs |
| Maintenance Complexity | Low | High |
| Initial Extra Cost | N/A | $500-$1,000 extra per panel |
| 20-Year Payback | Shorter; maintenance costs lower | Longer; maintenance and initial cost higher |
In conclusion, while solar trackers can increase energy yield, their maintenance costs over 20 years are substantially higher than those of fixed solar panels because of mechanical complexity and higher likelihood of repair needs. Many experts suggest that adding more fixed panels is often more cost-effective than investing in trackers when considering the total lifetime costs including maintenance.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-the-maintenance-costs-of-solar-trackers-compare-to-those-of-fixed-solar-panels-over-a-20-year-period/
