Things You Can Do To Maintain Your Rooftop Solar System

Here are 5 things you can do to maintain your rooftop solar system:

Cleaning Solar Panels

Dust, pollution, and bird droppings can drastically hamper the performance of your solar panels. If you don’t clean the solar panels for 6 months, the efficiency of the solar panel can decrease by 30%. Solar panels must not be cleaned with hard brushes or rakes which can scratch or damage the surface. Bleaching agents must also be avoided. Soft brushes and squeegees are best suited to solar panel cleaning. A trained technician can be the best option for cleaning the solar panel. If you try to clean the panels yourself, you can end up damaging them.

Watching Out for Damage to Solar Panels

The cells in the panel can get gradually damaged with time. While some scratches and damages may be visible to the naked eye, many other cracks can remain invisible. Such damages are called micro-cracks. Micro-cracks can lower the efficiency of your solar panels. Such cracks can develop due to physical, thermal and chemical factors. A professional can check your solar panel for solar panel maintenance using techniques such as electroluminescence crack detection (ELCD). Some of the other techniques used for damage detection are infrared imaging and I-V curve scanning.

Monitoring Electricity Generation

You can install a solar monitoring system to track the electricity being generated by your on grid solar system. If there are any solar panel issues, you will find them reflected in the reading. If there is an unexplained drop in power generation, it could mean that some component of the solar system is not working. It could even mean that your solar panels are damaged, for which you will have to repair or replace them.

Don’t Wash Hot Solar Panels

Solar panels can become hot during the day You must not sprinkle any water on a solar panel in such a situation. The sudden difference in temperature at the point where water touches the panel can lead to micro-cracks, thus damaging the panels. Remember that on a hot day, the panels will still be warm even after sunset.

Checking Electrical Connections and Instruments

A solar system is not just about the panels. It also comprises solar panel installation accessories like AC-DB DC-DB boxes, AJB, and cable wires. Any problem or cuts in the wiring could lead to electrical problems, including short circuits. For example, rats can eat and bite into the wiring of your instruments. You have to ensure that all instruments are in a good state. You can replace any equipment if it is malfunctioning. It is not too difficult to learn how to maintain rooftop solar system. For starters, regular cleaning of the solar system is a must. It is important to check the solar panels for any micro cracks. The electrical equipment and wires of the solar system must be in good condition. You must also regularly check the output of your system for any drops in output. When you opt in for a solar annual maintenance contract while solar system installation, the installers complete all the necessary checkings from time to time.