Saving Energy To Save Time And Money

Solar Panel Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

When you decide to make the solar conversion in your home, it's important to understand how the solar panels should be cared for. After all, if you overlook the general maintenance details, you may find that the panels aren't able to absorb the sunlight that is necessary for power storage and production. Here are a few tips to help you take care of them so that you get the power you're planning on.

Addressing General Cleaning

Solar panels need to be rinsed periodically. Every couple of months, take time to rinse them off with your garden hose. If there's still visible debris after rinsing, consider adding a sprayer that will incorporate a gentle detergent. Just make sure that you spray them either right around sunrise, after dusk, or on a day that's cloudy. Otherwise, the panels will be very hot from the sun's rays, so the water you spray will likely just evaporate instead of helping to clean the panels.

You may even want to ask your solar panel installation contractor about the best time of detergent or cleaner to use. They may have a commercial product that they recommend based on the debris that's common in your area, such as a product to remove tree sap.

Considering Rain Frequency

Remember that heavy downpours will serve much the same purpose as rinsing. If you've had a particularly rainy period, you can probably delay your rinsing process by a few months. That can save you from excess water consumption. Look the panels over after a heavy rain to be sure that there's nothing left stuck to the surface, though.

Clearing Away Snow

Solar panels are usually installed with a slight angle on the bracket. This helps snow and rain to drain away. This is particularly important when you're dealing with snow cover. Solar panels will typically have some level of heat accumulation, even through a layer of snow. That means that any snow that falls will typically melt away within a day or so of the storm. If you don't have sufficient power storage to account for this, you'll want to clear the panels right away. Consider investing in a soft-bristle snow brush to clear things away.

Solar panels are crafted for durability and longevity. In order to reap the benefit of this, you need to take proper care of them. With these tips and the help of your solar panel installation contractor, you can be sure that you're protecting your investment.