Maintenance Practices for Solar Panels
Maintenance practices that help slow down the degradation of solar panels focus on regular cleaning, inspections, and monitoring to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Below are key maintenance strategies recommended by experts:
Cleaning Solar Panels Regularly
- Clean panels at least twice a year, ideally at the end of fall and the start of winter. In dusty or pollen-heavy areas, cleaning every three months is advisable.
- Use soft brushes or sponges with mild detergent and rinse with clean water. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can damage the panel surface.
- Perform cleaning in the early morning or late afternoon to prevent rapid evaporation and avoid thermal stress caused by washing hot panels with cold water.
- Rainfall can naturally clean tilted panels, but manual cleaning is necessary during dry seasons or after snow accumulation.
Regular Inspections and Checks
- Inspect panels monthly for dirt, debris, cracks, chips, discoloration, and physical damage.
- Check mounting hardware for corrosion or looseness and tighten screws or bolts as needed to prevent damage or panel instability.
- Inspect electrical wiring every six months to detect fraying, wear, or damage, and consult a professional electrician if issues are found to avoid fire hazards and electrical failures.
- Trim any vegetation that causes shading, as shade reduces panel efficiency and can accelerate degradation.
Monitoring Performance
- Use solar monitoring tools or mobile apps provided by many solar companies to track energy production and detect performance drops that might indicate dirt accumulation or panel malfunction.
- Record energy output regularly to observe trends and take action if performance declines significantly.
Additional Tips for Longevity
- Avoid extreme temperature stresses by not washing panels with hot water and by cleaning snow carefully with lukewarm water or a soft squeegee.
- Prevent animal nesting under panels by checking underneath and installing solar critter guards if needed.
- After severe weather events, inspect the system for physical damage or displaced panels and address issues promptly.
By adhering to these maintenance practices—regular cleaning, inspection, vegetation control, performance monitoring, and timely repairs—solar panels can maintain higher efficiency and experience slower degradation, potentially extending their effective lifespan by years and increasing energy production by around 15% or more.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-maintenance-practices-can-help-slow-down-the-degradation-of-solar-panels/
