Solar panels are known for being low-maintenance, but they are not completely maintenance-free. Although rain ensures that much dirt is washed away from the panels, dirt can accumulate. Think bird droppings, stuck leaves, green deposits or other dirt. To ensure that your solar panels continue to perform optimally, it is therefore imperative that you maintain your panels regularly. In this article, we have compiled all the information you need to optimally maintain your solar panels.ย
Typically, solar panels require little maintenance. Most types of solar panels are designed to provide years of trouble-free energy without requiring thorough maintenance. This is mainly due to the fact that panels have no moving parts, this makes them less prone to wear and tear. But, this doesn't mean you don't need to look after them. By regularly checking your solar panels, you can detect small problems early on before they lead to bigger problems.
To keep your efficiency at its best, it is important to maintain your solar panels as well as possible. Although many panels have a dirt-repellent coating and the rain provides a natural flush, dirt can still build up that is stubborn. When the dirt continues to accumulate, performance can eventually deteriorate, and you want to avoid that. Among other things, the following types of dirt can accumulate on your solar panels:
Dirty solar panels can generate up to 20% less energy. This is obviously a big waste and can be prevented by carrying out periodic checks and structurally cleaning your panels.
So, that it is important to maintain your solar panels properly is clear. But, how do you make sure you do this properly? You can read about that below.
Before you start cleaning your solar panels, think about your own safety. Switch off the system completely before you start. Next, remove all dry debris, such as leaves or branches. You can do this with your hands or a soft brush. Next, use lime-free water, a soft brush and an organic detergent to clean your panels. For stubborn dirt, use a sponge. After cleaning, rinse the panels well with lime-free water, such as rainwater or demineralised water, to rinse away any residue from the cleaning agent. Then let the solar panels dry.
When cleaning your solar panels, there are a few things you should definitely avoid. Namely:
How often you need to clean solar panels depends on the weather. In the Netherlands, rain usually provides a natural rinse for the panels, so there is no need to clean them regularly. Usually, cleaning once every five years is enough.
Nevertheless, it is important to check the panels periodically. Due to climate change, we suffer more often from extreme weather, such as prolonged droughts or extreme rainfall. Especially if it has been dry for an extended period, it is wise to check your solar panels.
The ideal time to clean your solar panels is at the end of winter or the beginning of spring. Especially during the winter months, dirt quickly builds up in the form of leaves or other types of debris.
Besides cleaning the solar panels, it is also important to do a technical check once or twice a couple of years. This involves checking for:
Prefer not to go on the roof yourself? Then you can choose to outsource it to a professional. Shift to Solar does not offer professional cleaning services itself, but a window cleaner who specialises in solar panel cleaning can help you with this.
The inverter is the heart of your system. This is where the generated direct current is converted into alternating current which you eventually use in your home or for charging your electric car. We advise you to check monthly that the inverter is still working properly. You do this by checking whether the right lights are on and by checking whether the group to which the solar panels are connected in the meter box is still switched on. A simple but important check that can save you a lot of energy loss.
We strongly recommend that you regularly check the yield of your solar panels. You do this by checking the monitoring system that comes with the inverter. Compare the actual yield with the expected yield you received during installation. If the actual yield is significantly lower, this could indicate a problem with the solar panels or the inverter. At Shift to Solar, we offer a warranty on our solar panels. You can find more information in our article on the lifetime of solar panels.ย
Our solar panels are designed to withstand the various weather conditions known in the Netherlands, including extreme frost and snow. The panels are tested to withstand low temperatures and extreme snowfall. The problem with snow is that it blocks the sunlight, resulting in less energy being generated.
At Shift to Solar, you will find a wide range of low-maintenance solar systems. Thus, we offer not only traditional solar panels, but also alternative options such as a solar carport or a solar veranda. If you would like to know more about our solar panels please contact our expert customer service. Our experts are happy to provide you with tailor-made advice.
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