From environmental benefits to drastically lowered utility bills, there are many great reasons to consider going solar, especially with the new NEM 3.0 taking effect. Pairing your solar system with a battery can make it an even better long-term investment, helping you to become more energy independent and save even more money. But that phrase – long term investment – is one that people often overlook when going solar. Installing a solar system is expensive, but very much worth it because of the benefits it provides you with in the long run. Most systems do, in fact, come with a 25-year warranty, so they are designed to last. As such, it’s important to treat your system as an investment that needs to be maintained and taken care of for years to come in order to truly reap the benefits it has to offer.
While solar systems are generally durable and, due to their stationary nature, don’t frequently need repairing, it’s likely that they’ll require some type of maintenance during the couple decades they’re in use. Even the highest quality, most durable machinery in the world won’t last 25-plus years without some upkeep.
So why is it so important to maintenance your solar panels? How will I know when my system needs servicing? We’ll do our best to answer all your questions below. If you have any other questions about maintaining your solar panels, please feel free to contact us.
As previously mentioned, solar panels are a long-term investment. While the maintenance required to keep them functioning is minimal, it is still crucial. This is because your panels are designed to produce energy, and therefore save you money, at a certain production rate. Any reduction in performance means a reduction in output and therefore a reduction in your return on investment. Simply put, maintaining your system is the best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of it. The sooner you catch any issues, the sooner you can get your system repaired and back to optimal functioning. Additionally, taking care of your solar panels can increase their lifespan, meaning you’ll be getting more out of them for a longer period of time.
The main thing to look out for is fairly obvious: if you see a drop in production, or no production at all, then it’s likely that something is wrong. This is why it’s critical to have a monitoring system set up with your system. Monitoring systems will generally alert you when there’s an issue. They’re also simple to install, and many even come with mobile apps so you can easily track your system’s performance.
Another time to consider servicing your system is after harsh weather. If you’ve just endured a heavy storm or strong winds, it’s possible that your system may have been damaged. A common issue, especially after heavy rain, is the buildup of foliage and dirt in junction boxes. This buildup can absorb water, so It’s a good idea to regularly clean out your junction box. You should also perform a quick inspection on your own and check your monitoring system in the days and weeks after a weather event to make sure everything is still functioning as it should.
You should also look out for any signs of physical damage. While it’s hard to know if your panels have been damaged without climbing on the roof, it’s good to keep an eye out and regularly check on them, especially if there has been any kind of harsh weather or falling debris that may have damaged your panels. Signs of damage include cracks, exposed wiring, or discoloration.
Lastly, you should regularly check on your inverter. Inverters are an important part of a solar panel system, so be sure to check the inverter’s display for any irregularities.
The sooner you are aware of any issues with your system, the sooner you can get them fixed and get your solar system operating efficiently again. Without a monitoring system set up, you may not know for weeks or months that there’s an issue, and only find out when you receive your higher-than-usual electricity bill.
The most important thing you can do is stay alert and pay attention to any changes in your system’s production. This means that the first thing you should do is ensure that you have a reliable monitoring system in place. This will prevent you from finding out about an issue months later after you’ve spent a fortune on electricity bills.
Once your monitoring system alerts you to an issue, you can do an inspection on your own. Look for any issues – physical damage, exposed wiring, a buildup of leaves or dirt – that may be affecting your system’s output. Try your best to address the issue on your own, if you feel you are able to. Remember to be aware of your system’s warranty and how your attempts to fix your system may affect it. If you feel you are unable to take care of the issues on your own, it’s best to call in a professional to perform a more thorough inspection.
Frequency of maintenance depends on many factors, mostly having to do with what your panels are exposed to. If you live somewhere with harsher weather – strong winds and heavy rain may cause issues – or if your home is surrounded by trees that drop leaves and other debris onto your roof, you may need more frequent servicing. On the flipside, if you live in a drier climate, dirt can easily accumulate on your panels. So, when it comes to how often you should service your system, there isn’t really an answer other than to just monitor things and check in on your system’s performance on a regular basis to make sure everything is working.
Unfortunately, it’s all too common for solar companies to complete an installation and then disappear mere months after the job is complete, leaving customers high and dry when their panels suddenly stop working. They no longer answer their phone, their website is down, and maybe you’ve even seen them in a new piece discussing the disappearance of solar companies.
As previously mentioned, going solar is a long-term investment. At Solar Discovery, we don’t view the day we complete your installation as the endpoint; rather, we view it as the beginning of a lasting partnership. Not only do we maintain relationships with all our customers to ensure their systems’ continued performance, but we’re also there for those customers whose installers have vanished. We happily provide maintenance and other services for solar systems from a wide range of brands, including those that have been installed by other companies.
Solar Discovery provides a wide range of services for solar systems, including solar panel repairs, solar panel removal and reinstallation, monitoring, inverter troubleshooting, and much more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help ensure that your solar panels are functioning at their best.