This article is your complete guide to needing solar panel maintenance. Generally, solar panels require minimal upkeep—keeping them clean from dirt and debris ensures they work efficiently. Regular solar panel cleaning may involve removing anything that blocks sunlight. While cloudy days can affect performance, this is beyond control. Essentially, for optimal operation, solar panels need an unobstructed path to the sun.
Here at The Energy Professor, we want to give you the information you need to not only save money on your energy bill but to also become more energy efficient. We hope find this post helpful! And makes it easier for you to know more about solar panel maintenance. Be sure to also check out our one-of-a-kind energy savings calculator!
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Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance?
Yes, solar maintenance is a necessary step to ensure your panel output is maximized and gives you the most energy possible. You should perform a maintenance check on your panels about 2 – 4 times a year. For a more specific timeframe, refer to your owner manual as companies vary on maintenance guidelines to avoid solar panel repair. The best time of the year to perform your solar service is in the spring or fall. The panels typically develop more dust and debris following the winter and summer months. Fall is especially an ideal time to clean your panels due to foliage build-up.
Common Maintenance for Solar Panels
- The only thing you need to do is a good cleaning and have an annual inspection. If your panels are working properly, they won’t need extensive additional maintenance. You can also hire a professional to perform an annual inspection if you’d rather have a pro do the job.
It’s important to keep a close eye on the energy output of your solar panels. If you start to see a prolonged drop in production, it’s a sign you need to service solar panels. If your panels are older, a decrease in performance can sometimes be a sign a replacement is necessary. But any drop on newer panels is more likely to come from dirt or an obstruction.
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How Long Does a Solar Panel Last?
On average, most systems are made to last 25 years or more. More often than not, this is the leading reason most home owners decide to save energy with solar vs. wind power. In addition to decades of effective performance, many solar manufacturers back their products with performance guarantees and warranties. Making maintenance on solar panels less intensive and practical than other forms of energy saving.
Do Houses with Solar Panels Lose Power?
- Solar panels will continue to generate electricity in the event your home or small business looses power. The panels will continue to work as they normally do since the panels are still able to absorb sunlight.
While the panels will continue to generate power, they will only do so if they are also connected to a solar generator. If your panels are connected to the power grid that is down, they will also go down. Thankfully, solar storage is becoming standard and easier to achieve. More and more building companies are including it in the infrastructure that is being built.
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Solar Panel Maintenance Cost
Warranties can cover some of the solar panel maintenance cost with performance guarantees. But you can also opt to have a professional service come to tend your panels. This can cost on average between $150 to $300 annually. If you want a professional annual solar panel inspection, you can expect to pay about $150. Cleanings can cost around $150 for each maintenance of solar panels.
How much is a Solar Panel Inspection?
- The national average cost of solar panel inspections, from trained professionals, ranges from $150-$300.
While cleaning your panels may be an easy DIY activity, we highly recommend getting a professional annual inspection of your system. Professional solar panel service takes into account mounting systems, panel framework, and module clamps, alongside your junction boxes, display meters, and searching for moisture penetration or corrosion. Solar system maintenance will also check for broken glass or signs of cracking, as well as loose wiring and bolts.
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How Often Should I Clean my Solar Panels?
While cleaning your panels four times a year is great but not ideal. So how often do solar panels need to be cleaned realistically? About twice a year. Cleanings in the spring and fall will be most beneficial. This is due to the weather but also the best time of year to remove foliage or pollen build up. Solar panels maintenance after summer will also allow you to make sure there have been no moisture leaks. You should also inspect wires and connections to ensure they’re in working condition.
What is the Best way to Clean Solar Panels?
- Simply use water and a soft sponge or cloth to clean away dirt, dust, and any debris. Treat your panels like you would with any other glass in your house. Dry them like you would windows with a squeegee to avoid leaving residue behind.
If you live in an are that receives a lot of rain fall, this is also helpful and will reduce how often should i clean my solar panels. Rain will clear solar panels in many cases but it won’t completely clean solar panels. After a rain, soil can accumulate at the bottom edge of the solar frame, which can obstruct the cells from producing energy. So make sure you aren’t solely relying on that summer rain to reduce your solar power maintenance costs.
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Do I Need Solar Panel Maintenance FAQ
Q: Are Solar Panels Easy to Maintain?
A: Yes! Solar panels are easy to maintain. Thankfully, they’re designed to be attached to your roof at an angle. This makes it extremely easy for things like snow or leaves to slide off the glass on their own. You can also simply spray your panels with a garden hose if necessary.
Q: Do Solar Panels have Maintenance Costs?
A: Yes, there is a cost to maintain and secure the health of your solar panels. This can cost on average between $150 to $300 annually. If you want a professional annual solar panel inspection, you can expect to pay about $150. Cleanings can cost around $150 for each maintenance of solar panels. This is why we suggest checking your warranty and any performance guarantees you may be able to take advantage of. Cleaning it yourself is simple and free! We will cover how to clean your panels in the next section.
Q: When Should I Perform a Solar Panel Cleaning?
A: The best time of the year to perform your solar service is in the spring or fall. Not only is the weather more suitable, panels typically develop more dust and debris following the winter and summer months. Fall is especially an ideal time to clean your panels due to foliage build up.
Q: How Often do Solar Panels need to be Replaced?
A: Solar panels have improved significantly in the last 20 years. Making the need to replace them less common. On average, most systems are made to last 25 years or more. In addition to decades of effective performance, many solar manufacturers back their products with performance guarantees and warranties. So if a replacement is necessary, it’s easy to achieve.
Q: What is a Solar Generator?
A: The term solar generator refers to a regenerative battery that is powered by solar energy. This type of generator can range from a portable device to a large home installation. You can use a solar generator are typically used for camping, RVs, and as emergency backups.
Q: Will rain clean my Solar Panels?
A: Rain can clean off debris that may be blocking your panels. But it will not fully clean them. In some cases, rain could even make your panels dirtier! Because of the pitch of the panels, rain can accumulate dirt and dust at the bottom edge of your panel frame. This can block the cells from producing the energy they’re capable of and will need to be properly cleaned.
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We hope you found this article helpful! If you are looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency and sustainability in your home be sure to take a look at all of the latest renewable energy options in your area. The Energy Professor helps residential and small business owners find qualified energy suppliers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, and Massachusetts
