Most of the components in a residential solar system will last around 30 to 35 years. However, this is only an average. Many solar system components can last for a shorter or longer time than this range.
What’s the secret to making solar components last longer? It isn’t just about having a regular solar maintenance routine. It’s also about avoiding all the common solar maintenance mistakes many homeowners make.
Read on to learn about seven common solar maintenance mistakes for homeowners. You’ll also learn how to avoid them.
1. Avoiding Professional Maintenance
There are regular maintenance steps that the average homeowner can take. However, there are also maintenance steps that only a professional technician can take. To keep your solar system functional, you need to get regular professional maintenance.
When to Get Maintenance
Getting this service once every few years is best. While it’s happening, the technicians can clean up your system and identify issues. They can then repair solar panels and other components before things get worse.
How to Get Maintenance
You may be able to use your chosen solar panel installation company for regular maintenance. If not, type “solar company near me” into your favorite search engine. Doing this should lead you to some great companies.
Don’t Worry About Price
And don’t neglect this service because you think the solar maintenance costs are too expensive. Look up how expensive replacing and repairing solar panels is. You should find that it’s more expensive than solar power maintenance.
2. Not Cleaning Solar Panels
The more sunlight solar panels take in, the more energy they generate. Unfortunately, dust, dirt, and other debris can cover your solar panels. These can stop sunlight from reaching your panels.
How to Clean Solar Panels
This is why you must regularly clean your solar panels. Do not use abrasive materials to do this. Use a soft sponge or brush with water and mild detergent instead.
Avoid Touching the Roof
Also, try to avoid walking on your roof as much as possible. Walking around on your roof too often can lead to roof damage. You can also injure yourself if you fall off your roof.
3. Refusing to Trim Branches
Are there any tree branches hanging over your solar panels? You need to trim them regularly. If you don’t, your solar panels could be in trouble.
Why It’s Necessary
To start with, the shadows cast by these branches will make your solar panels less effective. On top of that, the branches can fall onto your solar panels. This can cause the glass on your solar panels to shatter.
If You Don’t Feel Safe
Be careful while you’re trimming your branches. If you don’t feel safe, you may want to hire an expert to handle this task for you.
4. Forgetting to Check Performance
It’s not enough to have a monitoring method that can track your solar system’s performance. You also need to check the data. This way, you can tell when your residential solar system may need help.
Get a Monitoring System
Do you not have a way to monitor your solar system’s performance? If so, you need to get one. This doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.
Monitoring System Options
You don’t need to buy any special equipment. You can just install monitoring software on a computer you already have. Also, some solar panel companies have online platforms you can use.
5. Not Looking for Loose Connections
Your solar system should connect to your house’s electrical system. However, it won’t stay that way forever. Outlet connections can fall out over time.
Examples of Connection Issues
In addition, wire casings can get holes. On top of that, electrical components like inverters and junction boxes can malfunction. These connection issues can make it harder for solar energy to reach your home’s electrical system.
Check and Fix Connections
You need to regularly check for signs of loose connections. Then fix what you can. If the fix is complicated, it may be best to hire a professional electrician to fix it.
6. Failing to Check Mounting Equipment
Solar panels are secured to roofs through bolts and brackets. Manufacturers make these to withstand a wide variety of weather conditions. However, they can’t withstand a heavy amount of harsh weather forever.
Bolts and Brackets Come Loose
Eventually, the bolts and brackets will loosen over time. If you don’t catch them before they get too loose, your solar panels can fall off your roof. In other cases, they’ll be misaligned and won’t take up as much energy as they should.
Tighten the Bolts and Brackets
Check your solar panels’ mounting systems regularly. Tighten the bolts and brackets when they need tightening. This should keep your solar panels secure and functioning properly.
7. Ignoring the Manufacturer’s Guidelines
Most solar system components should come with the manufacturer’s guidelines. These can tell you how to use your solar system properly. Following these guidelines will help your components remain functional.
Follow Warranty Requirements
In addition, the manufacturer guidelines can also help you follow the warranty requirements. This way, if any of your solar components fail, you’ll get a refund or replacement.
Read the Guidelines
You need to regularly review manufacturer guidelines. This is the best way to know how you can properly use your particular solar components.
Avoid Solar Maintenance Mistakes for Homeowners Further
Now you know how to avoid seven of the most common solar maintenance mistakes for homeowners. Hopefully, this information will help your residential solar system last for a longer time.
Do you want to avoid all common solar maintenance mistakes? If so, look at the solar power articles on our site. By learning more about solar panels, you’ll be able to take better care of them.
Go read to your heart’s content!
Also Read: Understanding the Basics of Solar Panels: An Introduction
