Solar energy offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution to powering your home, 12-volt setup, or caravan.
The benefits of harnessing the sun’s energy are substantial, ranging from reduced electricity bills to minimising your carbon footprint. However, owning solar panels is not a passive investment.
Regular maintenance and performance checks are crucial to maximising efficiency and ensuring the best return on investment. Solar systems are not a set-and-forget solution; they require ongoing attention to function at their peak.
Inspecting Your Solar Panels
Regular visual inspections are one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain your solar panels. Solar panels are designed to be durable and withstand various weather conditions, but external factors can diminish their performance over time.
During an inspection, you should check if the panels are shiny or dull. Panels that appear dull may be covered in dirt, dust, bird droppings, tree sap, or even lichen. These substances can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight your panels can absorb, thus lowering their efficiency.
While rain can naturally clean some debris off your panels, it’s not always enough. If your panels are exposed to bird activity or are located near trees, they may accumulate more debris than usual. If you notice any significant buildup, it’s time for a cleaning. A clean surface allows the panels to capture more sunlight, translating to better energy production and savings on your energy bills.
It’s important to note that cleaning solar panels can be dangerous, especially if they are installed on a roof or in hard-to-reach places. If you are uncomfortable or unable to clean them safely, consider hiring a professional. These specialists have the right tools and experience to thoroughly clean your panels without risking injury or damage.
Checking for Shading and Obstructions
Another critical factor in solar panel efficiency is shading. Even a small amount of shade can drastically reduce the performance of your solar panels. During your inspection, check for any tree branches, new constructions, or other objects that might cast shadows on your panels. Trees can grow and gradually obscure more of your panels over time. Regularly trimming branches or repositioning objects that cause shading can prevent unnecessary drops in energy production.
If you find shading an ongoing issue that cannot be easily resolved, consider consulting a solar expert. They can assess your situation and potentially suggest repositioning your panels or adding optimisers to your system to mitigate the effects of shading.
Monitoring Performance
While visual inspections and cleaning are essential, they only form part of the overall maintenance routine. Regularly monitoring your solar system’s performance is crucial to identifying any issues early. Many modern solar systems come with monitoring apps or software that allow you to track the energy production of your panels in real-time. These tools can alert you to sudden drops in performance, which might indicate a problem, such as a faulty inverter, shading, or dirty panels.
By monitoring your system’s output, you can ensure that it’s always running at its best. If you notice any consistent underperformance, it’s worth investigating further. Sometimes, a decrease in energy production could be due to seasonal changes, but it could also signal a more significant issue that needs to be addressed.
Maximising Longevity
In addition to regular inspections and cleaning, there are other steps you can take to maximise the longevity of your solar panels. Ensure that a reputable professional installs your system, as poor installation can lead to future problems. Additionally, keep an eye on the warranty of your panels and other components, and make sure to address any issues while they are still covered.
Furthermore, consider scheduling professional maintenance checks every few years. These comprehensive checks can identify issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye and help extend the life of your system.
If this article has inspired you to think about your unique situation and, more importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please get in touch with your advice professional.
This information does not consider any person’s objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation, or needs.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstance before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.