Solar panels provide homes with clean energy which is what we essentially need nowadays given that the world is starting to experience the harmful repercussions of climate change. And what’s more, they are a great investment as there are lots of benefits, not only savings on electricity costs in the long run.
While the upfront cost of installing the panels could be considered pricier, you might be wondering if the solar panel maintenance cost could be expensive, too. Well, you’ll be happy to know that a good quality solar system that has been correctly installed by professional technicians needs very little to zero active or routine maintenance at all.
According to solar power experts, as long as the devices are kept clean from dirt, debris, grime, sand and dried leaves, then you shouldn’t have a problem with their safe and efficient functioning. And that would mean that you wouldn’t have to spend so much to maintain them until the system reaches its lifespan of approximately 25 years!
Companies such as First Choice Power have already started offering solar renewable energy plans that can help save the environment and lower your power bills in the long run.
That being said, if you want to keep your panels working at their highest efficiency and producing electricity the way they should, here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Clean the solar panels manually but properly.
Experts say that regular cleaning is needed between two and four times per year. If your panels are tilted, you can do the cleaning by using a leaf blower or a garden hose to spray water on. But you could be lucky if your area is receiving a good rainfall since rain will just wash away whatever obstructions there could be on the panels.
- Use warm water.
Expect a heavy snowfall in winter. To clear away the snow, a squeegee with a long handle is your best ally. Use lukewarm water only, not hot, because the sudden change in temperature may crack the panels which are made of tempered glass.
- Sweep debris off with a broom.
For panels that are mounted on the ground, it’s easy to clean snow and debris that has built up by sweeping them off using a broom.
- Call the experts.
If you’re not confident about climbing up your roof, or just don’t have the time for cleaning, give your nearest solar company a call.
- Do a frequent inspection of the flat panels.
Flat panels are more prone to grime, dirt and debris build-up as compared to the tilted ones. Besides, inspecting them more often is good especially if you’re not confident that they were installed the right way.
Solar Panel Fires
In case you didn’t know, there’s the risk of solar panel fires caused by incorrect installation or factory defects. Although statistics on casualties aren’t that alarming, still, the number of cases had risen five-fold since 2018.
Experts advise that to prevent tragedy, have an annual professional system of servicing. At first instance, a yearly maintenance schedule could seem pretty expensive but that’s what the Clean Energy Council recommends. However, most experts say that a once-every-five years servicing of your system is enough to check all the parts therein.
