Maintaining Solar Panels

One of the best things about solar panels is how little maintenance they require. Unlike many home systems with moving parts that need regular attention, solar panels are designed to be low-maintenance and durable. However, a little bit of care can help ensure your system operates at peak efficiency for decades.

DO Spray Them Down Occasionally

Dust and debris can accumulate on your solar panels over time, reducing their efficiency. If it's been a while since a good rain, it won't hurt to spray your solar panels with water. This isn't rocket science — all you need is a good hose and good aim. Stay on the ground, spray them nice and clean, and you're good to go.

Overall, if you've been noticing reduced efficiency from your solar panels, stepping outside and checking the dust is a good place to start. Even if there's not an overwhelmingly obvious dirt problem, you won't make things worse by spraying them down, and best case, you'll fix the problem just like that.

DON'T Brush Snow Off of Them

If you're in California, this likely won't be a big concern for you. Even in the most temperate regions of our beautiful state, snow isn't stacking up so high for months on end that it majorly affects your solar production.

But for our out-of-state readers, it's handy to know good snow protocol when it comes to solar. For starters, please resist the urge to clean the snow yourself. There aren't a lot of easy ways to clean snowy panels that don't potentially damage them or put yourself at risk:

• Climbing on a snowy roof is dangerous
• Using tools to scrape snow can scratch panels
• In most cases, snow will melt and slide off naturally

If snow accumulation becomes a serious and persistent issue, it may be prudent to call a professional team.

Trim Your Trees

This won't be a factor for everybody, but if you're a homeowner who happens to have tall trees, it'll be important to pay attention to how you trim them. If a tree is tall enough, it's going to cast a shadow over your home for at least a few hours of the day, and sometimes that shadow can be quite the doozy if the tree is big enough.

If you've had a tree that's been on your property for generations and cutting it down would be unthinkable, there's no need to worry — we won't make you choose between solar power or the tree. However, with some judicious trimming, you can greatly reduce the amount of shade coverage.

If your tree is big enough to cast such an imposing shadow over your home, it's probably not safe for you to do the job yourself. Furthermore, you can actually majorly damage or weaken a tree if you don't know what you're doing. This is another job where we recommend consulting with professionals.

Monitor Your System

Most modern solar systems come with monitoring capabilities that allow you to track your energy production:

• Check your monitoring app or portal regularly
• Look for any sudden drops in production
• Compare production to expected output
• Contact your installer if you notice issues

Annual Professional Inspection

While solar panels require minimal day-to-day maintenance, an annual professional inspection can help catch potential issues early:

• Check electrical connections
• Inspect mounting hardware
• Assess overall system health
• Identify any needed repairs

The Bottom Line

Solar panel maintenance is refreshingly simple. With just a little attention — occasional cleaning, tree trimming, and monitoring — your system will continue producing clean energy for 25+ years.

At ESP, we're here to help with any maintenance questions or concerns. Contact us if you notice any issues with your solar system!