If you’ve invested in solar technology, good for you – you’re doing your bit to help Ireland reach Net Zero…and you’ll soon be enjoying lower energy bills!
But your commitment doesn’t stop there; at least, if you want to make the most out of your solar panels, to optimise your system and to keep seeing value for decades. Because even though they’re one of the most low-maintenance forms of renewable energy out there, solar panels still require TLC from time to time.
Checking in on your Solar PV system – and getting maintenance on solar panels, when needed – is a great way to spot any issues, prevent future ones and basically get your solar panels performing at their maximum output, for longer. Meanwhile, active servicing of your PV system helps to ensure that all of its electrical components are working properly and safely.
A solar panel service doesn’t have to be all that frequent, or complicated. In this post, we’ll break down what’s involved, including:
- Why solar panel servicing is important
- Tips for checking your panels yourself
- 3 things to avoid when cleaning solar panels
- The maintenance process – and the cost
- How often you should get a solar panel service
Maintenance on Solar Panels: Why it’s Important
Solar panels are built to last. But despite their durability, issues can always arise due to component failure, external interference, changes in environment or extreme weather conditions.
Plus, although your Solar PV system requires very little maintenance and servicing, it’s still a valuable asset – and just like any household fixture (especially one that’s being exposed to the elements) it’s a good idea to get it serviced annually.
A general service from Caldor Solar, for instance, may include inverter maintenance, updating grid settings and firmware to ensure your system is working as well as it can be. And if, for some reason, it isn’t…well, you’ll learn simple ways to improve it and start getting even more value from your panels.
As solar panels don’t have any moving parts, cleaning them can be a simple and straightforward task. In fact, solar panels are self-cleaning, most of the time! That’s down to all the rainfall Ireland gets, plus the angle that ground and roof-mounted panels are typically mounted at, which allows rain to wash away dirt without pooling on the surface.
Even so, your solar panels may see a build-up of dust, debris and grime from trees, birds and well, just from living outside. And since unclean panels can lead to a reduced yield of energy, it’s in your interest to get the appropriate soap and warm water out.
By keeping an eye on your panels, and making sure they’re free from debris and dirt, you can minimise deterioration & increase yield. Plus, if there are any red flags (like a sudden decrease in energy output) and you can’t figure out why, it may be time to seek expert help.
The benefits of servicing your solar panels include:
Increased Energy Production
Occasional Solar PV inspection and maintenance helps you to maximise your energy output, for longer. When your solar panels are performing well, that has all kinds of knock-on benefits for your home…and your budget, as you use solar to tackle rising fuel costs.
Longevity
You’ve invested a significant sum to install solar panels in the first place – now you can cost effectively extend their lifespan for as long as possible. And continue to enjoy lower energy bills, a more comfortable home and more energy independence for years to come.
Return on Investment
Safeguard your investment in renewable energy with very little effort. Solar panels can pay for themselves in as few as 5 years – and you can make sure they keep working in your favour for decades thereafter.
Tips for Better Solar Panel Service
Now that you’ve learned why you should maintain and clean your panels, let’s look at how to clean solar panels.
Before you begin, consider what kind of solar panel cleaning you need. Is there only a light layer of dust or debris on their surface? If so, a hose pipe will do – just make sure it’s long enough to reach your roof. All you have to do is spray your panels with clean water and allow them to dry naturally.
If you’ve left it too long before cleaning your panels and the layers of dirt are more stubborn, you might need a tougher approach (but avoid the pressure washer at all costs!) Your patience will be rewarded here: choose the softest brushes and scrubbers possible, using warm water to gently target the persistent debris. Again, rinse with clean water.
Psst…In both of the above cases, it’s best to clean your panels either in the early morning or late evening – i.e. when the sun isn’t too strong, so you’re not cleaning hot glass with cold water.
Of course, your panels mightn’t be accessible at all for cleaning if they’re mounted in a hard-to-reach spot, or if you have mobility issues. So if you can’t clean them yourself, make sure to get someone with enough experience to help – someone who knows how to clean solar panels without damaging them, and who can do so safely.
3 Things to Avoid
Hopefully you now have a good idea of how to maintain solar panels, and to clean them properly. But just in case, here’s what you should avoid doing when cleaning solar panels:
DO NOT
- Use hard bristle brushes. While using a brush and mild, soapy water is an effective and simple way to clean solar panels, steer clear of hard bristles that could damage your panels and affect their ability to capture sunlight.
- Use a power/pressure washer. It’s tempting to use this quick ‘n’ easy method while cleaning your drains and the roof of your house…but avoid your panels when doing so, as high powered water pressure could cause damage and impact their energy flow rate.
- Use strong or corrosive cleaning products. Yes, dirt can be stubborn – but elbow grease and patience is better than using chemicals which could reduce your panels’ capacity to generate power. So if you are choosing a mild soap, make sure it doesn’t contain either acid or alkali. Refer to the manufacturer’s specific guidelines if you’re unsure – or stick to good ol’ fashioned water to be on the safe side!
Psst…still unsure about the best way to clean the panels yourself? Or looking for a more thorough solar panel health check? Our team would be happy to help – get in touch to organise professional maintenance servicing, and keep your panels in top condition.
Solar Panel Maintenance: Process & Cost
If you think you need outside help, you can ask for rooftop solar panel maintenance or servicing of your ground mounted solar panels. Either way, a team will check your power generation and your solar equipment thoroughly.
Depending on the company, their solar panel service may include:
- A visual assessment of your solar panels
- Inspecting AC & DC isolators for any damage
- Ensuring power generation reflects estimated energy production
- Checking that your inverters are mounted securely, that they’re dry, and that they’re getting sufficient airflow
- Inverter maintenance – including updating your inverters’ grid settings and firmware to increase their efficiency, reliability and safety
- Verifying your safety components are working properly
You’ll also receive a full report on your current electricity generation – and whether your system is performing to capacity. If not, the assessors can advise you on how it can be improved, based on their inspection and findings.
Many of these recommendations are simple and require very little effort from you. However, some might involve getting new parts or even replacing a few panels. (Of course, if you’ve been keeping an eye on them and cleaning them as we’ve advised above, this is less likely to happen!)
The costs of solar panel maintenance might be as low as €160, or as high as €1,500. It really depends on the quality of your panels, the kind of maintenance you need, and how often you’re servicing your solar panels. See our table below for a rough idea. For a clearer idea, here’s an estimate from Checkatrade:
| One-off inverter replacement (depends on specification) | €500 – €1,500 |
| Annual service & health check | From €160 |
How Often Do Solar Panels Need Servicing?
At Caldor Solar, we recommend an annual solar panel system inspection and service. The purpose of checking your panels every year would help us to identify any issues, prevent future problems and ensure that your solar equipment works safely, efficiently and at its full potential, for longer.
Although yearly maintenance on solar panels is the ideal, we appreciate that these things can often fall by the wayside. So we’d recommend sticking a date in your calendar for a planned maintenance of your Solar PV system, and a cleaning schedule every few months. What might seem like hassle will actually ensure your panels work more efficiently…saving you money in the long run.
Final Thoughts: A Little Goes a Long Way!
Hopefully this post has shown you that maintenance on solar panels is pretty simple. And while you don’t need to do a full solar panel service frequently, we would recommend having one every year if possible, or simply checking your panels from time to time and cleaning them when needed.
To recap: keep an eye on how your panels are performing, make sure they’re doing so under optimal conditions and, if you feel they need servicing, make sure to contact an experienced provider.
At Caldor Solar, we can help you keep your solar panels performing at their highest potential, with the longest lifespan possible. We’ve been helping over 6,000 homes and businesses across Ireland do just that for the past decade! So for a professional, efficient and thorough solar panel maintenance, feel free to give us a call: 01 25 333 49
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ABOUT CALDOR SOLAR
Caldor Solar are solar power pioneers in Ireland, specialising in both residential and commercial solar panels. Check out our testimonials and online reviews to learn more. Or chat with us on 01 253 3349 for a personalised quote.