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5 Maintenance Tips for Your Solar Panels

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We are aware of the fact that solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity. But the question that ponders is- do solar panels require maintenance? If yes, then how many times? The ground rule to harness maximum solar energy is by keeping the solar panels- clean. Proper maintenance ensures that they perform effectively throughout their lifespan.
 
Fortunately, Solar Rooftop System have very low maintenance costs. Unlike other machinery, solar panels do not have moving parts that need lubrication or a process that involves getting rid of the rust.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind for maintaining your solar panels efficiently:

1. Time-to-time inspection:

Solar rooftop panels are placed in high locations. These are prone to damage or accumulation of waste particles flowing in the air. Keep inspecting your solar panels frequently. Clean up the dirt or pollen accumulated to ensure that there is no loss of power.
 
Inspect your solar panels during uncertain climatic changes. Certainly, this will help you to secure the loss or damage that has occurred.

2. Cleaning & taking care of your solar panels:

  • To maximize the effectiveness of your solar panels, firstly you need to keep them free of dust, dirt, leaves, and snow.
  • Since these panels are made of glass, you don’t need to shop for specialized solar panel care or cleaning tools. You can use a soft cloth to wipe the panels.
  • Avoid using detergent-based cleansers. They can leave streaks and smudges that may decrease the light that passes through.
  • Rubbing alcohol partly mixed in water can take care of any oily residue or other stubborn dirt.

3. Ensuring ample sunlight is available:

Solar Rooftop System is installed in a location where they receive maximum sun exposure. However, trees & buildings can grow over the years around this location, which then affects the pattern of sun and shade. To make your solar panels to lasts longer it is very necessary to make sure that they are located with the best possible sunlight orientation.

4. Examining the components on a regular basis:

During cleaning, you should take a look around at all your wiring, components, and mounting rack. Check for any signs of water damage, leaks, or drainage issues around the panels.

Look for missing bolts, broken glass, and frayed wiring. An early inspection can prevent serious issues that turn into costly repairs. You should contact your solar contractor immediately if you notice any similar issues. Don’t try to repair it yourself as your solar system can be best repaired by a trained professional.

5. Keeping a check on energy usage:

Installing an energy monitor is your most direct way to make sure your entire system is performing effectively. These monitoring systems usually provide output data on the website or the app of your smartphone. You can check the production totals of each solar panel. This comes handy in spotting any “dead” panels that aren’t producing electricity. This can be due to a problem with the panel itself or with the connection between the panel and the inverter.

Report an unexpected loss in electricity production to your Solar Panel Installer. Schedule an inspection immediately.

Conclusion:

Using these preventative maintenance tips will go a long way towards the longevity and efficiency of your solar system. Going solar is always a great option as it is clean electricity, saves your electricity bill, and in most cases, it hardly costs you a penny for maintenance.

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9 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

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Have you lately thought of installing a solar panel? Be it for saving money on your electricity consumption or upgrading your place’s value or reducing the carbon footprint- going solar is the need of the hour. And we appreciate this thoughtful decision of yours!

While installing solar panels is a lucrative option, there are some factors to be considered before installing the solar panel at your home or workplace!

As you research for the best solar panel companies in your region, review these factors first, to estimate your energy generation and potential for saving.

1. Whether your roof is suitable and ready for the installation:

One of the best things about solar panels is its durability. Most panels come with a warranty of 20-25 years! It means that if your roof is not in good condition or needs to be revamped, then get that done before installing solar panels. It can be very challenging and costly to remove and reinstall panels to make way for roof work to get done.

2. The duration for which you plan to stay in that particular residence:

Solar is a long term investment that also has long term benefits. So, if you’re planning to shift from your current residence or workplace sooner in the future, then consider installing the panels in your new home or workplace.

Related Read: Is it Worth Installing Solar Panels?

3. Suitability of your house for the installation:

So, how to know whether your home is well-suitable for solar? Here are two key indicators to look for:

  1. Less number of huge trees surrounding the house: More number of trees around the house means more shade, which can cause hindrance for the panels to harness the solar energy. If your home is next to a skyscraper or a dense forest, you might need to consider the option of shifting to a new house before going solar!
  2. Roof direction:  
  • If you live in the northern hemisphere, the sun is in the south of the sky. Therefore, to fetch the maximum exposure of the sun, the solar panels are suggested to be placed on a south-facing roof.
  • Likewise, in the southern hemisphere, solar panels are best placed on a north-facing roof.
  • However, if you don’t use much energy in the middle of the day- as with most homes, and need it the evening, then a west-facing solar array might be more useful.
  • If you prefer more solar electricity generation in the mornings, an east-facing direction would be preferable.
  • You might be surprised to know that- east and west-facing solar panels generate less energy throughout the entire day than those facing towards north and south.

4. Which kind of solar makes should you buy?

The two dominant solar technologies to pick from are:

  • Photovoltaic: This technology uses arrays of cells to turn sunlight into electricity, and
  • Thermal: This technology uses sunlight to heat water or air for domestic purposes.

If your home uses a lot of energy for heating, or you live somewhere where heating fuel is expensive relative to electricity, a solar thermal investment could be a suitable and viable option.

5. Lease or buy?

Every household will need to run its cost-benefit analysis before deciding whether to buy or lease the solar panels. Buying your own system might cost more upfront, but it does reap benefits in the future. When you own the system, it can keep working for you long after it pays off the cost of the purchase.

On the other hand, leasing lets you access cheaper electricity with little or no money down, but the benefits are limited. If you lease, the company you contract with owns the system, and you pay them a certain rate for the electricity; when the lease is up, they might take the system away.

Make sure you compare the total lifecycle cost of the lease and weigh the savings against the benefits you would get from ownership.

6. How to fight with nature’s sudden surprises?

No one can foresee natural disasters like- lightning storms, hurricanes, hail, etc. In such situations, there is a potential risk for some solar power equipment to get damaged during these events. Although some insurance will cover these types of events, it is important to consider this factor, especially if you live in an area where such type of weather is a common phenomenon.

7. Choosing the right contractor:

A solar power system is both home improvement and an electrical project. This is why when you start your search for the right contractor, you need to validate that they have a good reputation in the market and are reliable and flexible to work with.

Look for a contractor that can be around for help in the long term. While there is minimum maintenance required; if something goes wrong, you would want your contractor to be easily available to get it fixed under warranty.

Related Read: 7 Reasons Why Solar Panel is Good for Your Home

8. Warranties do matter:

Warranties are an important aspect to consider; as it helps to protect your solar panels and other related equipment. If anything happens to your solar panels, having a warranty helps you to keep the manufacturer accountable — without any additional cost to you. There are also some incentive programs (available in different states) that require you to have a warranty for your solar equipment.

If you don’t have a warranty, fixing minor faults will be a pain for sure!

9. Maintenance is a priority:

Keeping your solar panels working and your roof in good condition is imperative. It’s a good idea to ask your contractor about the maintenance procedures before the installation begins. If you are unable to meet those solar system maintenance requirements, there is a good chance your equipment will not last as long as you want it to.

Bottom Line:

Choose the solar panel that is best suited for your home instead of opting for the popular ones! Look for various options and follow the above-given suggestions before finalizing your choice.

Contact us today to get a free solar panel installation quote or call us at +91 772-199-4477.