How to maintain solar panels in summer？

Solar panels are incredibly reliable. Most systems have no moving parts, and the lifespan for a solar panel can up to twenty-five years. This means that solar panels require very little maintenance.

Summer brings obvious advantages for solar energy generation. Longer, sunnier days increase a system’s production, and in turn positively impact its return on investment. In order to ensure optimal production and ROI, it’s important to make sure solar arrays operate efficiently through the hot summer months.

Comprehensive operations and maintenance service programs are designed to ensure your solar system is safe and running at optimal levels at all times. In preparation for solar production peak season, there are a few specific services to consider to make sure you are getting the most out of your solar investment.

System and Production Monitoring

Throughout the year your solar system has endured rain, wind, snow, sleet and more. Your solar system is built to withstand mother nature but keeping an eye on your system is key to extending its lifespan.

A real-time web based monitoring system measures the production of solar electricity and sends an alert to you if a problem is detected. You can track your solar system production by day, week, month or year. You can also compare your solar system production year-over-year, or you can download your entire production history.

Preventative Maintenance

With any mechanical or electrical system, proper maintenance is crucial to maintain optimal production and a long life. While monitoring allows you to detect when an issue arises, ideally you want to catch potential problems before they impact production. So a physical inspection of the array is highly recommended. Through preventative maintenance services, a solar provider will conduct a site visit to complete a thorough inspection of all of the system’s mechanical, electrical and PV components, and make the necessary adjustments or repairs.

Panel Cleaning

During the hot summer, your panels may become clouded by dust, grime, animal droppings or tree pollen. A rainstorm is usually enough to clean off solar panel, but in arid climates, there are few summer storms.

Solar panels that are one or two years old and reside in a clean environment generally do not require cleaning. If you live in an especially dusty area, and you aren’t expecting any rain, you can rinse dust off with a garden hose. But make sure that the water you are using to clean your solar panels is demineralized. That’s because the hard water can cause scaling or corrosion over time.

Conclusion

Installing a solar energy system for your business or organization is a big investment. In order to make sure you are getting the most out of your array, it is important to schedule regular inspections and maintenance services.

Preparing your solar system for the summer is an important process that will protect its longevity and functionality for years to come. As the season shifts, it’s especially crucial to recognize the impact weather and the elements can have on your system’s production so you can ensure it captures every last ray of sun when summer hits. But you need to consider your own personal safety when cleaning your solar panels and never attempt to repair any component of your solar system yourself.