You must have come across the ads of the government about the scheme where they’re subsidising solar panel installments, in an attempt to take India towards energy independence. But it is important to understand that just installing solar panels isn’t enough.
Comments on social media are rampant, where they claim their solar panels aren’t as efficient and, within a few months, they started producing less electricity. But the reality is, all it was was a matter of low maintenance.
Yes, suppose you do not maintain your rooftop solar panels properly. In that case, they will keep producing the same amount of electricity with the same efficiency. Therefore, in this article, we’ll give you 5 maintenance tips to maximise your rooftop solar performance.
Understanding Expected Generation
First, let us understand how much electricity your rooftop solar panels can generate. It’s hard to give an exact number, but let’s say you have a 1KW solar panel on the roof.
In the winter, if it’s foggy, generation will reduce by 20 to 30%, depending on how thick the fog is.
In the rainy season, it will fluctuate. But when it rains, it will drop by 80%, and when it rains a lot, it might go down to nearly nothing. It will get better because rain or heavy rain doesn’t usually last all day. The average will change depending on when it rains. These factors are beyond your control.
Now that you have your expectations clear, let’s take a look at the maintenance tips for solar panels, and factors you can control.
5 Maintenance Tips for Your Solar Panels
Now, let’s take a look at the 5 important maintenance tips for your solar panels, and understand how you can maximise their efficiency.
Time-to-time inspection
Solar panels on roofs are put up high. These are likely to get damaged or collect waste particles that are floating in the air. Check your solar panels often. Make sure there is no loss of power by cleaning off the dirt or pollen that has built up.
Check your solar panels when the weather is unpredictable. This will definitely help you get back what you lost or damaged.
Cleaning & taking care of your solar panels
First, you need to keep your solar panels clean of debris, dust, leaves, and snow to get the most out of them. Since these panels are constructed of glass, you don’t need to shop for specialised solar panel care or cleaning tools. You can clean the panels with a gentle cloth. Don’t use cleaners that include detergent in them. They could leave streaks and smudges that block some of the light. If you mix rubbing alcohol with water, it can get rid of any greasy residue or other filth that won’t come off.
Make sure ample sunlight is available
Make sure you place the solar panel in a place where there is enough sunlight, as that’s the key requirement; it has to generate power to its full capacity. Also, keep trimming trees and other weeds that might block the sunlight and give it shade.
Examining the components on a regular basis
When you go up to clean, make sure you take a close look at all the components. The wires, mounts, etc. This is because you might spot some damage, and it’s better if you spot the damage and get a professional inspection done early on.
This small step would go a long way in ensuring the safety of your rooftop panel system.
Keeping a check on energy usage
The best approach to make sure that your whole system is working well is to install an energy monitor. Most of the time, these monitoring systems provide output data to your smartphone’s app or website. You can see how much power each solar panel has made. This is useful for finding “dead” panels that aren’t making electricity. This could be because the panel is broken or because the connection between the panel and the inverter is broken.
Tell your solar panel installation expert if you notice a sudden drop in electricity production. Set up an inspection right away.
Safety Do’s & Don’ts
Now, before you go and try to do all of this, there are some safety tips you need to keep in mind. These tips are important as they would allow you to enjoy that 0 electricity bill while being safe.
Do | What This Basically Means | Don’t | Why You Really Shouldn’t Do This |
|---|---|---|---|
Do keep the battery area open and airy. | Batteries like fresh air. It keeps them cool and helps them last longer. | Don’t wash panels when the sun is blazing. | Cold water on a hot panel is a bad mix. It can cause tiny cracks that you won’t see, but will hurt performance. |
Do wear proper footwear and gloves when checking anything electrical. | A little protection saves you from slips, shocks, and surprises. | Don’t open your inverter’s internal panels. | Inverters have high-voltage parts. One wrong touch can be dangerous and also cancel your warranty. |
Do switch off the system before cleaning the panels. | Just like any appliance, it’s safer to clean when it’s off. | Don’t let water go near junction boxes or connectors. | Water + electricity = trouble. It can cause short circuits or corrosion. |
Do glance at the cables and terminals once in a while. | You don’t have to be an expert. Just noticing looseness or rust early helps avoid bigger issues. | Don’t touch any wires right after it rains. | Wires stay wet longer than you think, and that’s when shocks happen. |
Do call a technician when something feels “off.” | Trust your instinct. If generation drops or something looks unusual, get a pro to check it. | Don’t attempt DIY repairs on the inverter, battery, or wiring. | These systems are complex. DIY fixes often make things worse or unsafe. |
Conclusion
Using these preventative maintenance tips will go a long way towards the longevity and efficiency of your solar system. Installing a rooftop solar panel system is always an excellent alternative as it offers clean electricity, cuts your electricity bill, and in most situations, it scarcely costs you a penny for upkeep.
