How to Maintain Your Solar Panels for Optimal Performance

31st October 2024

Solar panels make a good investment. They save you money, lower your electricity bill and do the world a favour.

The only catch is that if you want to get the most out of your investment you have to love them. Like any vehicle, you need your solar panels to keep them working properly. If you’ve ever wondered, “What do I do to keep my solar panels running smoothly?”, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s dive into a few tips and tricks to take care of those panels and keep the juices coming.

Why Maintenance Matters

First off, why bother? It’s simple. Even the most efficient panels can’t produce the energy you want. Dust, waste, poop and even leaves can settle on the surface over time, diminishing sunlight reaching the cells. And more light means less power and longer return on your investment. Keep in mind that maintaining your machines will get them up to 20% more efficient, so go for it.

Check out https://effectivehome.co.uk/solar/solar-panels-southampton/ to see more about the best way to keep your solar panels clean.

Step 1: Keeping it Clean – Keep It Clean!

The most obvious step towards maintaining solar panels, but the one that often gets overlooked. Let’s think about it: you don’t want dirt sitting on your car’s windscreen, do you? The same is true with solar panels.

How To Clean Your Solar Panels?

Check the weather. Cleaned during a cloudy day or morning, solar panels get hot under direct sunlight and aren’t cleanable.
Use the right tools. Just bring a damp cloth or sponge, bucket of soapy water (diluted dish soap will suffice) and hose. Avoid using abrasives or hoses that can damage the panels.
Gently scrub the surface. Scrape off the dirt and grime using circular movements. You aren’t wiping your grill down, baby!
Rinse thoroughly. Once clean, rinse them thoroughly with water to ensure no soap residue remains. Shampoo may also create a film that blocks out the sun.

Tip: If your panels are on the roof and you don’t have a place to easily remove them, hire someone to do it for you.

Step 2: Monthly Checks – Prevent Problems Before They Develop

You don’t have to be an engineer to look at it. You can actually identify the majority of problems with a little observation and a bit of common sense.

What to Look For

Cracks/chips on glass: Small cracks can become larger over time and impact the performance of the panel.
Slippery wires or cables: This is a safety hazard, so don’t take it lightly. Make sure everything is secure.
Corrosion or rust around connectors: Solar panels are intended to withstand harsh environments, but corrosion may still occur, especially along the coastline.

If you notice something unusual, consult with a solar contractor. Do not try to fix electrical problems by yourself. Safety first!

Step 3: Keep track of Energy Production – Is It Necessary?

The vast majority of new solar systems have monitoring apps or dashboards that tell you how much energy your panels are generating. It’s the easiest way to monitor performance without getting up on the roof.

How to Monitor

Daily, weekly or monthly output. You’ll get an idea of what’s going on, and you’ll see when things are slowing down.
Compare to your energy bills. Do you have the savings you expected? If not, then something is wrong.
Check your inverter. The inverter at the centre is what turns your panels’ power into electricity. Most inverters have indicator lights. If the light is red or flashing, contact a technician.

Step 4: Cut Around It – Light It Up!

The trees are beautiful, there’s no doubt about that. But if they’re overshadowing your solar panels, then they’re compromising your system’s efficiency as well. You don’t want branches obstructing sunlight. If your panels are installed outdoors, be on the lookout for invasive shrubs or bushes.

You don’t need to knock down your favourite oak, but a few tucks here and there can really change how much sunlight enters your panels.

Step 5: Ensure Mounting – Be Safe!

The solar panels are installed either on your roof or on a ground rack. The mounting system might wear down with time due to wind, rain or even seasonal temperature variations.

What to Look For

Are the panels still tight? If they are sloppy or jittery, well, that’s not a good sign.
Examine metal mounts for rust. Rust can damage the building over time.
Seek any leaks on roof mounts. Don’t let a water leak ruin your home.

If you’re not sure about mounting it out, you can call your installer quickly and save yourself a bunch of pain.

Step 6: Organise Professional Maintenance – Avoid Them Better Than Never

Do-it-yourself upkeep is awesome, but you want to have your system checked by a professional at least once a year. Experts can perform more intensive tests such as:

Step 7: Keep Seasonal Variability in Mind – Get as Much Efficiency As Possible

The most overlooked aspect of solar panel maintenance is the impact of the seasons on your system. We need to replace our solar panel maintenance as the year progresses, just as we update our clothing.

Seasonal Adaptation: What To Do With Seasons?

Summer

Panels become dusty more quickly in the summer season because of the dry conditions, particularly if you live in a sandy or dusty location. Clean your panels on a monthly basis and inspect for buildup at least once per month. Keep in mind that summer heat degrades the performance of solar panels. The ventilation around your panels should help keep your panels cool.

Autumn

This is leaf-falling season! Watch out for leaves sticking to your panels or covering the edges. Just a little clump of leaves can decrease the amount of energy being produced. Make sure to sweep them off or do a quick extra clean this time of year to keep panels clean.

Winter

Snow is winter’s biggest problem. A light splotch won’t make a difference, and dense snow will shade out the sun. And if you have snow, scrub the panels with a soft brush to get the snow off of the panels — don’t use anything that might scratch the surface! If you’re extra-efficient, tilt the panels a bit (if you can) so that the snow comes out easier. Some systems even feature adjustable mounts for manual or automatic seasonal tilting.

Spring

In the spring comes pollen that’s just as nasty as dirt or bird faeces. Pay attention to yellow or greenish residues on your panels and wash them thoroughly. It’s also the perfect time to have an all-over check up at the end of the winter when the weather and ice can occasionally result in micro-cracks on the panels or mounts failing.

If you know how the seasons affect your solar system, you’ll run it most efficiently throughout the year. Your routine should not just adapt to the season, it’s a necessity to maximise performance and energy efficiency.

The Bottom Line – Why You Should Care?

Yes, it is a bit hard to look after your solar panels but the payoffs are worth it. You’ll save more energy, extend the lifespan of your panels, and build for a greener future.

Solar panels are a “set it and forget it” investment but with a little bit of upkeep you can ensure they keep working well. From a quick sweep, a trim or two of your surrounding trees, to a scheduled maintenance visit, each effort helps extend your system’s life and efficiency.

So wash them, check them and reap the benefits!