If you’ve never had a solar panel system installed on your property before, you may be wondering what to do once it’s there. Should you let it alone and let it do its job, or is it more like a car or appliance that needs some cleaning and maintenance now and then?
The good news is, solar panel systems can last a long time, and there isn’t much in the way of solar panels maintenance. However, putting in a little effort to care for your system now and then can help avoid serious damage and the subsequent costly repair. Besides that, though, why should you take a more proactive approach and do your part in keeping your solar panels maintained?
It helps with efficiency.
While it’s true that solar panels can still produce electricity when there’s no direct sunlight, that doesn’t mean you should just leave them alone and let dirt and debris pile up. Dirt and grime can actually affect how well a solar panel system works, reducing production by at least 25%. That’s better than no production, but that’s still less energy than you would ordinarily get from it.
You’ll find potential problems faster.
Keeping an eye on the monitoring device for your solar panel system isn’t just a good way to check it’s day-to-day production, but to check for consistency, too. When your system starts underperforming suddenly, you’ll want to find out what’s causing it.
Sometimes, it’s a simple matter of loose mounting; other times, though, the cause is something more serious. You’ll need to call a technician to deal with problems like disconnected wiring, but that’s a small price to pay compared to, say, having to replace a whole section of the solar panel system.
In other words, monitoring your system will help you spot potential problems early. Then you can have someone take care of the problem in the early stages, where the fix is relatively simple and therefore less expensive than a major one.
You’ll save money.
A solar panel system is less expensive than it used to be, but it’s still a considerable investment – and one that will pay for itself over time. After all, you’ll be using solar power from the sun to power most things in your home or business, instead of using energy from the grid.
Solar panel system repairs and replacements can eat into the money you save on your monthly utility bill, though, and that’s sure to happen if you don’t pay enough attention to your system that small inconveniences become bigger concerns. That’s why doing your part to maintain your solar panels is really in your best interest, since it means you save more money in the long run.
Remember, solar panels are made to last for 25 years or more. Putting in a bit of effort to maintain them can help your solar panel system reach the “or more” part, so it can keep on helping you power your home for free.
