5 Things You Need to Do to Keep Your Solar Panels Maintained

Solar panels offer plenty of benefits, with one of the lesser known advantages being they’re relatively low maintenance. Due to their design, solar panels feature very little moving parts that are susceptible to breaking, making them surprisingly easy to maintain.

In fact, solar panel technology has improved so much in recent years that it’s possible for panels to last decades, providing you take the time to complete some minor maintenance now and then.

Here are five things you need to keep your solar panels maintained:

1. Check them regularly

A rather obvious thing to do, but many forget to check on their solar panels post installation, especially when they are in hard to reach spots on the roof. However, taking the time to get as close as you safely can to give them a quick visual inspection is well worth it to help maintain them.

The reason to do this is because you can check for build ups of residue that may be hampering their efficiency. Things like pollen, droppings, and weather worn dirt can reduce the effectiveness of the panels, so it’s always a good idea to check them regularly throughout the year to see how dirty they might be.

2. Clean them whenever necessary

Cleaning solar panels is one of the best ways to maintain them over the long-run. As mentioned, checking the condition of the panels is the best way to see whether they need cleaning, so it should be obvious when it’s time to give them a clean.

To ensure you clean them without causing any damage, never use abrasive cleaning materials that may scratch the surface of the panel, as this can reduce the amount of light they absorb. Be careful to avoid leaving smudges for the same reason, so try not to use soapy detergents, with diluted alcohol cleaners being the best option.

3. Inspect their positioning

Solar panels are always installed in the most effective position to gain as much sunlight as possible, yet over time they may require repositioning. For example, a tree could end up growing and blocking some sunlight, so it’s always a good idea to reposition twice a year to accommodate the seasonal movements of the sun.

Doing so ensures the solar panels are exposed to plenty of sunlight year-round, keeping them working at maximum efficiency.

4. Monitor their effectiveness

Solar panel monitoring systems are great for keeping them well maintained, allowing you to see exactly how they perform. Most of these systems require professional installation and monthly fees, but they offer invaluable data regarding the efficiency of the panels.

Because you can see how much energy the solar panels are producing, you will know immediately when any problems arise, allowing you to keep them well maintained for years to come.

5. Install solar panel barriers

One great way to ensure your solar panels remain well maintained over the long term is to invest in barriers. These products are designed to deter pests that can damage or reduce the effectiveness of solar panels, with pigeons and squirrels being the worst offenders.

These pests – along with various other birds – tend to leave droppings on the solar panels that block light absorption, while squirrels are known to chew and damage the wiring of panels, making solar panel barriers very worthwhile.

Premier Solar Cleaning, LLC is a veteran owned and operated solar panel cleaning company. We provide Commercial Solar Cleaning, Efficiency Checks, and Repair Consultations; as well as Residential Solar Cleaning. Serving all of Southern California with phenomenal solar cleaning that saves you money, we have rapidly become an authority on solar panel cleaning, maintenance, and efficiency. To protect your investment, we use high-quality products that are specifically designed for safely cleaning solar panels. No corrosive chemicals, only the purest reverse osmosis deionized water. We offer one-time cleaning and monthly maintenance programs are available.  Call us today at (951) 465-3117.