Solar energy is a renewable, clean, and sustainable source of energy. A solar energy system has many advantages over conventional means; it is better for the environment and saves money in the long run.
The main components of solar power systems include solar panels, batteries, inverters, mounting structures, charge controllers, etc. Although solar energy is renewable and sustainable, electrical components are susceptible to damage.
In this blog, we will look focus on solar panel repairs and maintenance. You will learn what to do when your panels are damaged and some maintenance tips.
What is the Solar Repair?
Solar repair refers to a range of services that involve repairs, upgrades, or replacement of solar power system components.
What Causes Damage to Solar Panels?
The solar panel has few moving parts and in theory, should last a great deal of time, and they do. However, several factors (beyond your control in many cases) can cause damage to the panels or other components in the solar system. `some of them include:
- Adverse weather conditions: Although your panels are resilient enough in normal climate conditions, adverse weather can crack the glass or damage other components. Hailstones, tornados, blizzards, and thunderstorms are common culprits.
- Debris: Falling debris can easily damage the glass on the panels. Twigs, leaves, or rocks can cause cracks that hamper performance.
- Pests: Pests can cause problems for your solar power system. Squirrels can nest under the panels and damage the wiring, and bird poop can reduce the performance of your solar cells.
Can I Repair a Panel Myself?
It depends on the extent of the problem or damage. For instance, if your panels dip in performance due to obstruction caused by debris such as leaves or snow, you can handle it yourself. If there are cracks in the glass, you will have to change the panels, and for this, you will need professional help. If the fault or the damage stems not from the solar cell but other electrical components, you will need a professional.
What are the Costs?
The cost of fixing your solar panels can range from $200-$1500. The cost will depend on the market prices for the panels and labor costs.
Who Should Fix the Solar Panel?
Most companies that install and repair solar panels offer a warranty on their products. If the damage is within the warranty policy, the contractor will repair the panels for you. Examples of things your warranty covers include faulty panels, shoddy installation work, etc.
What to Look for When Choosing a Solar Repair Company.
Before you select a company that provides solar or power engineering solutions in Fairburn Ga for your solar panel repairs, you should consider the following criteria.
- Experience and qualification: the professionals should be qualified, and have sufficient experience with repairing solar panels.
- Clear communications: The service provided should communicate clearly with you.
- Transparency: The company should be transparent with its pricing policies. You don’t want any hidden charges rearing up after the work has been done.
Solar system maintenance.
To get the best of your renewable energy source and save money on repairs, you have to develop a good maintenance culture. Solar panels can last up to 25 years, and negligence on your part can drastically reduce their lifespan. Unless you have training or experience with solar power systems, the least you can do is clean your panels.
You need to clean the solar panels regularly to keep them at peak performance. We recommend two to three times a year. Roof-mounted panels are more challenging to access than ground-mounted ones.
You or a solar panel cleaning company should clean the surfaces and clear out debris on the panels such as snow or leaves (panels in a flat orientation tend to collect debris).
If you must use water to clean the panels, you should use lukewarm water. You should never use hot water because the contrasting temperature of the water and the glass can cause the module to crack or shatter.
One way to monitor the health of your solar panels is through a solar panel monitoring system. This could be from the electrical engineering consulting firm in Fairburn Ga, that provided you with the cells. The system monitors how much energy your panels produce and tracks daily output. You can assess the performance of the solar panel\'s over time or judge how external factors affect performance.