Solar panels are an excellent long-term investment for homes. They generate free and renewable energy for a long time, up to 40 years. Additionally, they help in reducing the carbon footprint in the environment. Therefore, regular solar panel maintenance is crucial for optimum performance and to keep it from damage.
Dust, plant sap, leaves, bird droppings, soot, and lichen may cover the modules, thus affecting their productivity. Dirt accumulation creates shading, preventing sunlight from hitting the cells. If left for long, the dirt can cause permanent damage to the panels, leading you to incur losses. Let’s discuss solar maintenance's importance and how to maintain and clean your investment properly.
Why Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance?
Solar panels need regular cleaning and maintenance regularly. Dust and dirt rest on the solar panels, thus affecting the efficiency. Additionally, rainfall or heavy storms may disrupt the solar panels. Here are the reasons why regular maintenance of the solar panels is necessary.
- Regular maintenance and cleaning ensure maximum output of the panels.
- Keeping the solar panels well maintained and clean ensures your warranty will be honoured.
- Maintenance keeps the solar panels in good condition, thus giving your investment a long life
- Cleaning and maintenance keep the panels and the module from staining permanently.
- Neglecting your panels affects their output and may damage the panels in the long run, making you incur losses.
Professional Solar Panel Maintenance
To most people, cleaning solar panels at home seems easy and fast. However, it’s not always the case. Solar panel maintenance goes beyond cleaning the panels. It involves also checking for damages and errors in wiring and the whole system.
Pros
- Deep Cleaning- Professional services have all the equipment and the expertise to clean the panels without causing scratches and damage.
- Time-Saving- Professional solar maintenance services are faster and more efficient than DIY. Again, they have the right tools and right chemicals for the job.
- Gives you Peace of Mind- The professional solar maintenance professionals won’t leave the job at just cleaning. Still, they will inspect the entire system and identify and troubleshoot faults. You can rest assured that your system performs optimally throughout.
- No Risks- Solar panels installed on the roof require professional equipment to clean. You might risk falling and injuring yourself if you attempt to do it yourself. Also, when it comes to inspecting the system and the wiring, the professionals know how to handle it. Do not deal or try to fix the wiring problems if you do not have the expertise.
Cons
- Expensive- The professional solar maintenance services are pricey, up to $200 a year.
DIY Solar Panel Maintenance
Most people opt for DIY solar cleaning and maintenance projects because they are in control and to eliminate the costs of professional services. Here are the pros and cons of DIY solar panel maintenance.
Pros
- Costs Saving- With DIY, you don’t have to hire professionals to do the job. Professional maintenance services are high. Therefore, doing it yourself saves you money.
- You are in Control- If you are keen on detail, you can successfully carry out solar DIY maintenance easily. It gives you control over handling your system.
- Convenience- DIY solar panel maintenance is convenient as you can perform it anytime. You don’t need to book a schedule; you can do it at your convenience.
Cons
- Advanced Electrical Work- Solar panel maintenance, such as inspection of the wiring and the system components, may require the hand of a professional. With DIY, you may not establish when something is wrong or how to troubleshoot.
- Special Equipment- Solar panel maintenance and cleaning will require special equipment and products you do not have.
Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider
Whether you are hiring a professional or DIY, the maintenance should include checking things such as:
- Faulty solar meter,
- The positioning of the panel,
- Fractures on the solar panels,
- Dirt and debris,
- Damage by animals such as rats, birds or opossums.
It is best to hire a professional solar specialist to do the maintenance, especially when inspecting the system and the electrical wires and replacing some components. Improper handling of some equipment can destroy the system or cause fatal fire accidents. If you are not a professional, cleaning the panels is the most you can do about maintenance.
How Often Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance？
Solar panels require maintenance about three to four times a year. However, different manufacturers have their specifications on maintenance routines; please check.
The best time of the year to carry out maintenance is during fall and spring because the solar panels require cleaning after winter due to the accumulation of dirt and debris. Cleaning the panel during fall is necessary due to falling leaves, sap, and bird droppings blocking the panels.
During maintenance, you can notice any issue earlier than later and fix it before it becomes problematic. Inspect the wires, components, and connections and ensure everything is as it should be.
The Cost of Maintaining Solar Panels
The annual maintenance of solar panels is approximately $31 per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity. With a 6Kw system, the costs can be up to $200 per year. Also, the cost of professional maintenance services may vary depending on location and system size.
You can eliminate the costs by doing DIY maintenance. However, it is only practical if the solar panels are mounted on the ground or any other easy-to-access floor.
Recommended BLUETTI Solar Panels
There are several brands of solar panels in the market. One of the major brands dealing with solar panels is BLUETTI. Here are the recommended BLUETTI solar panels.
1. BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel | 420W
The BLUETTI PV420 420W is a portable, foldable solar panel designed for home and outdoor use. It is made with durable and laminated ETFE material with an IP65 rating. It offers great light transmission and has a long lifespan. The monocrystalline solar cells have a high efficiency of 23.4%. The energy tapped from the sun can be stored in a wide range of BLUETTI solar battery systems.
Features
- High Capacity- The 420W solar panel is capable of generating up to 420W of solar energy for storage in your BLUETTI generators such as BLUETTI AC200P, AC200MAX, AC300, EP500, and EP500Pro. Also, the panel is compatible with other solar generators, batteries, and systems in the market.
- High-Efficiency- The pv420 420W solar panel has monocrystalline cells with a conversion rate of 23.4%. It can generate up to 2000Wh of electricity daily, sufficient for running your electronics and devices.
- Durable and Resistant ETFE Coating- The 420W is made with superior ETFE, long-lasting coating resistant to scratches and water splashes. The high-strength coating makes it ideal for home use and outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, RV, etc.
- Foldable and Portable- The PV420 solar panel is designed for easy setup and outdoor use. It weighs 30.8 lbs with a foldable size of 38.3 × 25.9 × 1.7 inches for easy portability. You can now access power anywhere, thanks to this solar panel.
2. BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel | 350W
The BLUETTI PV350, 350W, is another foldable and portable solar panel for home and outdoor use. The panel is made with durable and laminated ETFE material. The panels' cells are connected in parallel for higher efficiency and good performance, even under shady conditions, yielding more solar energy. The panel can generate up to 1600 - 1700 Wh on a perfectly sunny day.
Features
- High Conversion Rate- The PV350 solar panel has monocrystalline solar cells with a conversion rate of 23.4% and 95% transparency. It is efficient even in low-light conditions.
- Off-Grid Power Supply- The panel generates clean and renewable energy from the sun. PV350 is reliable, efficient, and budget-friendly. It generates sufficient energy to power appliances such as fridges, laptops, phones, drones, etc.
- Foldable and Portable- The panel weighs 30.61 lbs with a foldable size of 35.6*24.1*2.5. It is easy to set up and carry in and out of the house and during adventures. It comes with a carrying bag to keep it safe during the movements.
- Durable and High-Resistant ETFE Material- The solar panel is coated with durable, wear and scratch-resistant material. The material gives the panel better light transmittance and is water-resistant and easy to clean.
- High Compatibility- The PV350 solar panel comes with an MC4 connector, which makes it easily integrate with all types of solar systems, including the BLUETTI AC200P, AC200MAX, AC300, AC500, EP500PRO, EB240, and EB150 power stations.
3. BLUETTI PV120 Solar Panel | 120W
The BLUETTI PV120, 120W solar panel is an excellent backup power source for homes and outdoor activities such as camping or RVing. It is made with monocrystalline cells, which makes the panel highly efficient and reliable. It is lightweight, foldable, and compact for easy portability.
Features
- High-Efficiency- The solar panel is made with monocrystalline cells, with a high conversion rate of 23.4%. It efficiently converts the sun's energy into usable electricity even in low sunlight conditions.
- Wide-Compatibility- The PV120W comes with an MC4 connector, which enables compatibility with other solar generators and systems. Some of BLUETTI power stations compatible with PV120 are BLUETTI EB3A, EB55, EB70S, AC200P, AC200MAX, AC300, EP500, and EP500Pro.
- Durable ETFE Coating- The PV120 is made with high-strength ETFE material, resistant to scratches and waterproof.
- Foldable and Portable- All BLUETTI solar panels, including the PV120W, are portable and easy for outdoor use. The foldable size is 21 x 18.5 x 1 inch, and a weight of 12.57 lbs.
Final Thoughts
Solar panels, too, require maintenance and cleaning to perform optimally. It is recommended that solar panel maintenance and cleaning should take place two to four times a year. Clean and well-positioned panels result in a high energy conversion rate. You can choose to do DIY solar maintenance, but it is recommended to use the services of a professional. Professional solar maintenance has the right tools for the job and will easily identify a fault with the system and fix it.
