If you’ve made the switch to solar energy, congratulations on investing in a cleaner, greener future! But to keep your system running at its best, solar operations and maintenance (O&M) is key. While it is not required, it is encouraged to pay attention and take time for upkeep or get help from qualified solar professionals. With just a few simple, regular checks, you can ensure your solar panels stay efficient and continue saving you money for years to come.
Understanding Solar Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
Solar O&M is important to maintaining the efficiency of your solar system. Proper operations and maintenance can help to ensure optimal performance, improve your energy savings, reduce system failures, and protect your overall investment. It includes preventative maintenance, occasional check-ups of system components, warranty support, repairs, and monitoring the system’s performance.
Maximize Your Energy Output with O&M
O&M monitoring services continually track and interpret the performance of your solar panels and their components. Monthly health checks are available through many installers or third-party system operators. Regular attention to your system’s functionality is vital because it helps identify issues like shading, dirt buildup, or component failure. Early detection ensures that your system operates at peak efficiency and helps address any inefficiencies right away.
It is good practice to conduct inspections, cleaning, and maintenance of your solar panels and their components on a regular basis. This includes checking the inverter, which converts DC electricity generated by the panels into AC electricity for your home. A healthy inverter ensures your system functions properly and checks for any error codes or issues that could affect overall performance.
Another key aspect of O&M is panel cleaning. Dust, bird droppings, leaves, and pollutants accumulate on your panels over time, blocking sunlight and reducing energy generation. Regular cleaning helps maintain optimal performance, especially in areas with heavy pollution or frequent rain.
By staying on top of solar operations and maintenance, you can avoid performance degradation and ensure your system continues to operate at its highest energy output throughout its lifespan.
Best Practices for Maintaining Solar Systems
Maintaining your solar system is key to ensuring it runs efficiently and lasts for years. By following these tips, you’ll help your system save energy and avoid costly repairs down the road.
Solar energy is often described as a “set it and forget it” home improvement project, and while there are no moving parts, it’s still a good idea to check in on it occasionally. A gentle cleaning once or twice a year, or after a big storm, will help your panels achieve peak performance.
Solar panels can get dusty, dirty, or covered in leaves, which can affect their performance. In these cases, a thorough cleaning is recommended to maintain your system’s integrity. This procedure should be performed by a licensed professional, especially if you live in a multi-level dwelling or have a sloped roof. Homeowners with single-story homes may be able to use a standard-pressure garden hose, but we advise against climbing tall ladders or deep cleaning without proper precautions to maintain your warranty and personal safety.
Setting up an O&M agreement or developing some basic O&M habits makes it easy to check for issues regularly. Keep an eye on your energy production to spot any dips in performance. Monitoring tools available to solar homeowners let you compare annual, monthly, and panel-by-panel production.
It’s also helpful to perform a quick visual inspection. Look for anything unusual, such as damage to the panels or shading from nearby trees. Establish a proper O&M routine by engaging in a maintenance contract with your installer. At the very least, have a technician perform an annual inspection. A professional will spot issues you might miss.
Keys to Cleaning Your Solar System
As mentioned earlier, panels should be cleaned by a licensed, trained professional. They will generally use a soft, non-abrasive brush or microfiber cloth. In some cases, certain sponges may suffice. Cleaners will most likely use eco-friendly, non-abrasive products to avoid damaging your panels.
If you wish to clean your panels yourself, you can use a hose to rinse off dirt, leaves, or droppings. Avoid using high-pressure water, as it could damage your panels. It’s best to clean your panels when they’re cool—early mornings or late afternoons are ideal. This prevents thermal shock from the sudden temperature change.
Set a routine to clean your panels every 6 to 12 months, or more frequently if you live in a particularly dusty area. You are likely to notice a certain amount of “soiling” over time, which is natural, and mostly a visual detraction rather than a threat to technical performance degradation, but a proper professional cleaning can reduce the unsightly appearance of any significant buildup of grime.
The Importance of Consistent System Monitoring
Monitoring your solar system regularly ensures it operates at peak efficiency, maximizing energy output. Most monitoring tools send automatic monthly reports via email, and you can check on your system anytime through the app anytime you please. By catching small issues early, you can prevent costly repairs or replacements.
Monitoring helps you track the efficiency of your system and determine if it’s generating the expected amount of energy. Keep in mind that small dips in production are common and do not necessarily require immediate attention. Only drastic drops in energy output should raise a red flag.
Consistent monitoring gives you a clear picture of the health of your system and its key components, such as inverters and solar battery storage systems. At the end of the day, it’s your total annual output that matters most, not daily fluctuations.
Dips in production on a day-by-day or hour-by-hour basis are going to happen frequently, so you shouldn’t ever feel that you need to babysit your solar system. It’s also vital to keep in mind that there will always be a certain amount of variation between panels on the roof, based on placement and minute deviations in how solar cells are manufactured. It should only be necessary to contact your installer if something seems drastically wrong like a half-dead panel.
Central Inverter Maintenance Tips
The inverter is a crucial component that converts DC power from the panels into AC power used in your home. A faulty inverter can lead to inefficiencies or even damage to your entire system. Regular inspection and maintenance of the inverter are vital for optimal performance.
If you’re installing a new system, place your inverter in a shaded, well-ventilated area to avoid extreme heat, which can shorten its lifespan. Consult with your installer to ensure proper placement.
Have a professional inspect your inverter yearly to ensure it’s functioning properly. Manufacturers like Solaredge recommend running a simple power cycle annually to check system functionality.
If you notice any strange sounds, like buzzing or humming, this could indicate an issue inside the inverter. Contact your installer for a safety check to ensure the wiring and connections are secure and free from corrosion. Periodically check for error codes or warning messages that could suggest malfunction.
How to Troubleshoot Common Problems
While it’s always best to contact a professional technician for repairs, homeowners can troubleshoot some issues themselves. If your system isn’t producing as expected, start by checking the monitoring system for any alerts. If you have a central inverter with a display, look for error messages or blinking lights, which may indicate a malfunction. Visually inspect your solar panels for cracks or damage, if possible.
Check your electrical connections, especially at the panels, inverter, and electrical panel. Make sure everything is secure and look for any visible wear or corrosion. Especially in areas where mother nature’s creatures abound, you may want to consider Critter Guard installed to prevent any small animals from nesting or chewing on wires underneath the panels.
Degradation Rates Explained
A solar panel system’s degradation rate refers to how much its energy production declines over time. The average degradation rate for solar panels is between 0.5% and 1% per year, though this varies depending on the system. Factors like panel quality, environmental conditions, and proper maintenance affect degradation.
A system with a 1% degradation rate will produce about 99% of its original capacity after the first year. Each subsequent year, it loses an additional 1%. After 25 years, the system will still function at around 80% of its original capacity.
Many manufacturers offer a Performance Guarantee as part of their warranty that may be higher than this – consult your documentation or check with your installer if any of your panels appear to be degrading faster.
Addressing Your System’s Degradation Rate
Early detection of system issues is crucial for keeping your panels in optimal condition. Monitoring your system’s output helps you track performance trends and catch problems early.
Opt for panels from reputable manufacturers with proven low degradation rates. Higher-quality materials and technology typically result in slower degradation over time.
Even at the end of the warranty term, solar panel systems are designed for the long haul. There are plenty of examples of solar systems installed in the late 1970’s that are still functioning to a large degree, even though technology may have advanced by a few leaps and bounds since then!
Long-Term Success and O&M
The most effective way to ensure the long-term success of your clean energy system is to adopt a simple O&M routine. Be proactive by setting reminders to inspect your panels every few months. These small efforts can have a big impact on your system’s health and energy output over time.
ESP Makes the Most of Your Clean Energy Investment
Utilizing O&M methods helps keep your system running at peak performance. Consider a maintenance contract from your installer or a trusted provider for effective monitoring and support.
At ESP, we’re all about people, process, and passion – a passion for delivering the most advanced solar technology to homeowners and our install partners. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you take your clean energy goals to the next level.