Solar panels may come with a high upfront cost, but the truth remains that they’re a worthwhile investment. With a solar system installed in your home or commercial facility, you now get to enjoy lower energy bills, an increase in your property value, and of course, a renewable energy source for the next couple of years.
While this can be an exciting time for you, it helps to remember that solar panel installation isn’t the end of your tasks. The next thing you have to do is consider how to maintain your solar panels so that they keep working efficiently and optimally.
High-quality solar systems are designed to be durable, so they usually require very little solar panel maintenance. These panels can also hold out against different kinds of natural elements such as wind, rain, snow, and more. However, this does not mean that they are unbreakable.
It’s best to have regular solar panel cleaning and solar panel maintenance to avoid dealing with major issues and spending thousands of dollars on repairs or replacements further down the line.
Maintenance You Need After Solar Panel Installation
If your panels are tilted, rainfall actually helps clear away dirt and debris accumulating on them. However, you’ll have to clean them manually during the dry parts of the year. The good news is that solar panel cleaning isn’t difficult at all.
With this, you can also seek the help of a solar panel repair and maintenance company to keep your solar system not only clean but also free from performance issues. If you’ve recently had your panels installed and want to learn how to keep them in optimal condition, here are some maintenance services you may need to consider in the future:
1. Solar Panel Cleaning
After solar panel installation, one of the essentials you can invest in is a professional solar panel cleaning service in Austin.
Since solar panels work by allowing light into the solar cells, dust or dirt buildup prevents them from running at their optimum performance. It can also cause solar system failure if left unaddressed. This is why it’s advisable to include solar panel cleaning in your maintenance checklist. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to prolong the lifespan of your system and ensure its long-term production.
On that note, you can call a professional solar company in Austin to have your panels serviced. They use the proper equipment and techniques to keep your panel’s surfaces free of dirt and grime.
2. Solar System Inspection
If you think that your solar system is underperforming but aren’t sure what the problem is, you may need to have it inspected by a qualified professional to identify issues once and for all.
Getting a complete solar system inspection from your trusted Austin solar company helps determine any hitches with your solar array. But more importantly, it gives you peace of mind knowing that there are steps you can take to resolve the issue and get your system running efficiently once again.
3. Solar Panel Repair
You may be experiencing solar panel defects if you’ve been noticing the following:
- Low or irregular power output
- Power shutting down unexpectedly
- An unusually high utility bill
- Inverter failure
- Burnt marks on the solar panel
Fortunately, experts in solar panel repair can inspect your system thoroughly, diagnose the problem, and repair your solar panels. If necessary, they can also replace your broken solar panels to make sure you’re enjoying the benefits of being off the grid.
4. Solar Monitoring Installation
While it feels good to know that your solar panel produces renewable energy for your home or business, do you know exactly what your array’s output is every day?
If you want to know for sure if your investment is getting the results you want, you can integrate a solar monitoring system into your array. It allows you to track how much energy your panels are producing, as well as how external factors are affecting their performance. It also lets you know if a panel breaks down or malfunctions, so you can seek solar panel maintenance sooner rather than later.
5. Solar Monitoring Repair
Your solar monitoring system is a crucial part of your setup because it lets you know exactly what your array’s output is. And the more robust your monitoring technology is, the more you can make sure that your solar system is working the way it should be.
But what if it’s the monitoring system that breaks down? In these instances, don’t attempt to diagnose the problem or conduct repairs yourself unless you’re experienced in solar panel maintenance. Instead, your best bet is to call a solar panel maintenance company to assess the situation and get your solar monitoring back up and running.
6. Solar System Critter Guard Installation
You may think that your residential or commercial solar panels are safe from the reach of animals because they are on the roof and high off the ground. However, it helps to remember that critters like birds and squirrels can still easily reach the panels and cause costly damages, such as fires due to chewed wires.
This is why it’s recommended to consider getting a critter guard installed as well after solar panel installation. A solar critter guard wraps around your solar array and keeps birds, squirrels, and raccoons from taking shelter in your array. Most importantly, it protects your panels from damage and saves you the hassle of getting expensive solar panel repairs or replacements.