Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Your Commercial Solar Panels

Is your business looking to reduce its energy expenses? If so, one of the best ways to do it is to invest in commercial solar panels.

Of course, this solution does come with caveats. If you want to maximize the value of your solar panel system, you'll need to maintain it. That's the best way to keep it running efficiently and avoid costly repairs.

The good news: learning how to maintain solar panels is simple. Read on for five tips that will get you started!

Clean Panels Twice a Year

In general, you should clean your panels at least twice a year. You may have to do it more often depending on your location. If there's a construction site nearby, for instance, your panels will gather more dust.

Cleaning solar panels is as simple as going over them with water. Rain may even clean your panels for free! That said, you should still take care to protect your system from extreme weather.

Avoid Abrasive Cleaning Tools

When washing your panels, don't use anything that may scratch them. This includes hard brushes, roof rakes, and chemical cleaning agents. Water and soft brushes (or squeegees) are all you need for this task.

If you're washing your panels in summer, it's best to do it in the morning. The hotter a day is, the higher the temperature your PV modules will reach. In this situation, the sudden cooling effect may cause them to crack.

Follow Warranty Guidelines

If you invest in commercial solar roofing, it's essential to get a solid warranty. Many solar panels come with warranties of up to 30 years. Your warranty provider will take care of any malfunctions at no cost.

Keep in mind that this is only true if you follow the warranty guidelines. For example, installing the panels incorrectly will void the warranty. Go through the guidelines to see what falls under misuse, abuse, and neglect.

Check for Drops in Efficiency

Most solar inverters come with apps that allow you to track their efficiency. If you have one, watch out for drops in energy. Low output is normal on cloudy days, but it may be an issue in sunny conditions.

If you don't have built-in energy monitoring, check your energy bills. If they keep getting higher, it may be time to clean your panels. Though all panels get less energy efficient over time, this should be a very slow process.

Prevent Shading Losses

Nothing contributes to energy loss more than shadows. In most residential systems, one inefficient PV module will affect the rest. A single shadow covering one panel will decrease the output of the entire array.

This is why it's important to add trimming to your seasonal maintenance checklist. Get rid of any branches or other vegetation creating a shade. Do the same with other optional rooftop equipment near your panels.

Commercial Solar Panels Made Easy

When it comes to commercial solar panels, most firms hire a professional to maintain them. This is an inexpensive way to ensure your system is still efficient.

Want to outsource your solar maintenance to professionals? Our team of experts at Transform Energy can make it happen. Contact us here to schedule a visit!