To keep your solar panels in good condition and ensure longevity, it’s important to maintain them. But what exactly does solar panel maintenance consist of? In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about maintaining your solar panels, how frequently you need to carry out these maintenance tasks and the importance of doing so.
What Maintenance is Required for Solar Panels?
The maintenance of solar panels can greatly depend on several factors. From regular upkeep to maintain the efficiency of your solar panels, to one-off repairs and replacements. Below is a general guide for the type of maintenance you may need to carry out for your solar panels:
Cleaning of the solar panels – Professional cleaning of your solar panels can help to remove any dirt or dust that may impact your solar panel efficiency and power output. As a general rule, we would suggest this is done every 12-18 months, however, this will differ based on your location and environmental factors i.e. is your property in an area with high dust volumes or bird droppings, or is your property near trees or coastal areas where build up of leaves and dust might accumulate, leading to the requirement for more frequent cleaning.
Repairs and Replacements – Over time, wear and tear to your solar panels could mean they might need replacing or repairing, from individual panel repairs to full replacements depending on your specific requirements. In addition to repairing or replacing your solar panels, additional things such as the solar battery or inverter may need servicing and/ or repairing. Our blog ‘Solar Invertor Repair and Replacement’ covers this in more detail.
Pest Protection – Birds are known for nesting underneath your solar panels, causing damage to the cables and the panels. Installing pest protection such as bird brush will deter birds and prevent them from causing problems. At Lincs Renewables, bird protection is included as standard to all installations.
Routine Inspections – These regular checks will look for any physical damage to your solar panels, identify any issues with shading to help maximise your output, as well as find any issues with performance drops including cracks in your panels and wiring issues. We’d recommend getting an annual routine inspection and servicing your solar panels every 5 years.
What Solar Panel Maintenance Can You Carry Out Yourself?
While specialists will be required to carry out most of your maintenance checks, there are a few things you can do yourself at home to get the most out of your solar panels:
Regular Cleaning – While we would recommend hiring a specialist solar panel cleaner for your annual clean, you can carry out routine cleans yourself to help reduce the build-up of debris and dirt (if accessible and safe to do so). To do this, you would need to make sure that your solar panel system is powered off to avoid any electrical hazards. Next use a hose with a low-pressure spray nozzle (avoid using too much high-pressure so you don’t cause damage) to remove loose dirt and finally using a mild soap, wipe clean.
Inspect for Damage – Although a professional would need to assess the full extent of any damage, to ensure any issues are fixed straight away, it’s worth regularly inspecting your solar panels to look for any cracks, signs of wear and tear or any exposed wires. If you notice any of these issues ahead of your annual inspection, you can get these fixed before they become bigger issues.
What Happens if You Don’t Maintain Your Solar Panels?
Maintaining your solar panels helps prolong its lifespan (of up to 25 years) and efficiency. Neglecting these routine checks can lead to:
Decreased Efficiency: Accumulated dirt, debris, or minor technical issues can reduce your system’s energy output, lowering your overall savings.
Potential System Failures: Ignoring early signs of wear or faults in components like inverters, batteries, or wiring can lead to expensive repairs or full system breakdowns.
Safety Concerns: Without regular maintenance, electrical components can become hazardous, increasing the risk of fire or electric shock.
Risk of Voided Warranties: Many manufacturers require routine maintenance to keep warranties valid, skipping it could leave you unprotected.
Reduced Financial Returns: A poorly maintained system won’t perform at its best, which can significantly diminish your long-term return on investment.
By carrying out maintenance checks such as cleaning your solar panels and having regular inspections, not only do you get the most out of your solar panels but could save you money in the long run by identifying any small issues, before they turn into large, costly ones.
Professional Serving and Repairs with Lincs Renewables
As part of our services at Lincs Renewables, in addition to supplying and installing solar panels and solar batteries, we also offer comprehensive servicing, maintenance and solar panel repairs in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
From routine inspections and repairs to panel cleaning and pest protection, we cover all aspects of solar panel maintenance, meaning you can be rest assured knowing we are handling your solar panels from installation right through to maintenance to help you get the most out of your solar power.
For more information, call us on 01472 511487, email us at info@lincsrenewables.co.uk or contact us here.
