Homeowners who install solar power systems can receive numerous benefits: slashed electric bills, reduced carbon footprint, and potentially higher home values. With the capability to last you around 25-30 years, solar panels have plenty of time to get a return on your investment.
Unlike a boiler or washing machine, your solar panels are designed to work efficiently without continuous maintenance. However, to get the most value out of your solar panels and guarantee they last as long as they should, it¡¯s important to properly maintain them. Discover everything you need to know about solar panel maintenance right here at Bluetti.
Solar Panel Cleaning: Is It Worth It?
Dust, sap, pollution and leaves provide just a few reasons to maintain and clean your solar panels. Essentially, dirty panels have the same impact on solar power systems as shading does, obstructing sunlight and affecting performance.
Impacting both your green energy generation and return on investment, we recommend for solar panel owners to have their system cleaned around 2-4 times per year. Alternatively, you may only need 1 cleaning per year if you live in an area with lots of rain to clear away dirt or debris.
If your panels are tilted, you¡¯re fortunate enough that rainfall will naturally clear away accumulated debris. However, during summer months or extended periods without rain, it¡¯s important to clean them manually ¨C go ahead and try a garden hose or a leaf blower.
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Do Solar Panels Require Maintenance?
Solar panels ordinarily require very little maintenance?in order to function, meaning your solar investment is often upfront and stress-free. Despite this, there are generally three solar panel maintenance schedules to consider:
- Cleaning:Periodic light cleaning to make sure dust, debris and leaves are not obstructing the sun¡¯s rays.
- Annual inspection:Once per year, hire an inspector to review your solar panels and ensure they are working to their full potential.
- Additional maintenance: If you notice a problem with your solar panels outside of your annual inspection, schedule a solar panels maintenance appointment when necessary.
Monitoring Solar Power Performance
A decrease in your panels¡¯ energy output could indicate that your solar power system?requires attention. In most cases, your solar panels will not demand maintenance outside of your regular inspections and cleaning, but it¡¯s important to consistently monitor solar panel health.
The most significant indicator that your solar panels need maintenance is a reduction in your energy output. Keep an eye on your electric bill as an increased bill may highlight a decline in solar energy production ¨C in that case, it¡¯s time to schedule a service appointment.
How Much Does It Cost per Year?
We know that installing a solar panel system is a huge investment. As a result, continued costs and maintenance?can be disheartening and frustrating. Luckily for panel owners, solar panel maintenance costs will be minimal, meaning you can enjoy sustainable solutions without an ongoing additional expense.
It¡¯s important to understand that if you give your system a bit of love and care, you will be rewarded with roughly 30 years of solar energy in return. Additionally, a lot of manufacturers will provide a guarantee for any issues that arise within the first 10-25 years. Some providers even include several maintenance visits in your solar panel purchase!
An annual solar panel service can cost between ¡ê100 and ¡ê200 a year depending on the provider.
A further solar panel maintenance cost you need to know about relates to the inverter; the key part of the unit which converts the DC output of your panels into the AC required by your local power grid.
The inverter has an average lifespan of around 25 years, after which it will need replacing as a cost between ¡ê800 and ¡ê1,000. While this may seem like a large sum, remember you¡¯re awarding yourself 25 additional years of solar power.
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Solar Panel Maintenance Checklist
We have established that a little solar panel maintenance goes a long way, but how can homeowners keep track of this process. Consider a solar panel maintenance checklist to ensure it is always performing at its best:
- Personally examine your solar panels: Check your solar panels 2-4 times per year to ensure they are clean and secure.
- Check in on your online monitoring system:Many systems come with a tool / app to track daily output.
- Monitor electricity bills:If your electricity bill has gone up, it¡¯s a good sign that you should schedule a service appointment.
- Keep a logbook of maintenance:Once per year, hire an inspector to review your solar panels. It is useful to keep a record of maintenance if there are any issues that may need diagnosing in the future.
- Replace the inverter:You can expect your inverter to last around 25 years, depending on the model and environmental conditions. Regular inspections can help to determine whether your inverter needs replacing.
Maintaining Your Solar Panels
Protecting and caring for your investment is essential to owning any item, and solar panels are no exception. Thankfully, solar panels are incredibly durable and designed to require little to no maintenance. Despite this, regular cleaning and annual inspections will ensure that your panels are performing to the best of their ability year on year.
If you notice dust, debris or snow piled up on your system, a routine clean will ensure that your panels continue to operate efficiently. Additionally, consider investing in panels with a good warranty so if your panels do break, they¡¯ll get replaced.?
With these tips, you can keep your solar panels functioning well and producing the power they are designed for. If you have any questions about solar power maintenance and taking care of your system, contact Bluetti?today.
