How to Keep Your System Running Smoothly
Installing solar panels is a smart financial move and a great way to save the environment. When installed well, your solar system is expected to continue generating clean, low-cost electricity for many years.
To truly enjoy your investment in solar energy, you need to make sure the company you are dealing with is a reputable one. If you are a resident of Pennsylvania, you don’t need to worry much about this. You can reach out to EcoGen America,serving all of Pennsylvania
If it’s your goal to keep your solar panel working efficiently for many years, but you aren’t sure of the techniques you have to use to achieve this, read on. This article will share tips to help you with solar panel maintenance and troubleshooting. For additional information see more at solarchat.org.
Solar Panel Maintenance Tips You Have To Know
Below are a few maintenance tips you must be aware of if you want your solar panel to have longevity.
Cleaning
For optimal panel performance, it’s essential to keep them free of dust and snow. So anytime there is a buildup of dust and snow, ensure you clean your solar panel. However, if you reside in an area with consistent rainfall, you won’t need to stress over cleaning your solar panel regularly. Why? Because your solar panels will be clean of dust, dirt, and debris after a good rain shower.
On the other hand, if you live in an area that does not get consistent rainfall or an area experiencing a drought, you will need to clean your panels regularly. It doesn’t matter how well the air is filtered where you live. Dust will still settle on the panels over time.
Constantly Monitor The Health Of Your Panel
Besides cleaning your panels periodically, one way to ensure your solar panel’s longevity is to monitor its health. You can easily monitor a solar panel’s health by using an app. The app keeps tabs on your panels’ energy production and detects any drops in performance. For instance, if your solar panels produce less energy than usual, it could be because something like debris is blocking them, and an app could help you detect the problem.
Also, having a solar panel monitoring system allows you to keep tabs on your system’s daily and cumulative energy output. This gives you a clear picture of how different environmental circumstances affect your panels’ production and how well they maintain efficiency over time. A broken or malfunctioning panel will trigger an alarm in the monitoring system, allowing you to fix or replace it as needed.
Regularly Check The Batteries To Ensure They Are In Good Shape
Inspecting your batteries regularly is a must if you want your solar energy system to last long. The panel installer should have shown you where to keep the batteries, so head down to the basement or outbuilding to look. Check the batteries’ tops to ensure that white powder or gunk hasn’t accumulated around the terminals.
Nothing further is required if the battery terminals seem clean. You should do this check every six months.
Common Causes of Damage to Solar Energy Systems
Snail trail
Snail trails are small brown streaks that form on solar panels. They are a common issue and appear years after the panel was manufactured.
There are several reasons why snail trails may occur. One of the main causes is a defect in the silver paste used in the manufacturing process. Another cause is the presence of moisture. Moisture can cause oxidation between the encapsulation material and the silver paste. This oxidation can lead to chemical breakdown of the front of the panel, leaving “snail trails”.
Micro-cracks
Micro-cracks can cause major damage to the photovoltaic cells. If left uncorrected, they can reduce the performance of the entire system. In many cases, these defects are invisible to the naked eye. However, there are ways to detect and remedy them.
Internal faults
Internal faults in solar energy systems can occur at any time. They can damage system components and lead to fire hazards. To avoid them, you should know how to identify them. There are many types of faults, including electrical, thermal, and environmental.
Inverter failure
When an inverter fails, it will display an error code, usually a combination of numbers and letters. This is a warning message, and it tells you that there is a problem. If you are unsure of how to correct the issue, you can contact your manufacturer.
By knowing ways to maintain your solar panels and the common causes of damage, you can increase the lifespan of your system.
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