Everything you need to know
Solar panels are self cleaning but they may require periodic cleaning and maintenance throughout their lifetime. Over time dust and debris can build up on the solar panels which can impair their performance. Periodic cleaning of the solar panels ensures that they are performing at their peak efficiency. What is involved in the maintenance of your solar panels and how often should you have them cleaned?
How often do solar panels require maintenence?
Solar panels are low-maintenance installations and don’t require as much frequent maintenance as your boiler. It is recommended to have an annual clean of your solar panels to ensure that there is no gradual build-up of dust or debris that will affect the performance of the installation.
Your solar panel installation does not have any moving parts which means that the requirement for regular servicing is reduced. Like any other electrical item in the home or work we do recommend a general condition check every 3-5 years. This is to check the system is functioning as designed and that there are no issues with the equipment or the connections.
How often should i clean my solar panels?
When you have solar panels installed you will need to know how to get the most benefit from them. One factor that will affect the amount of power that your solar panels will generate is how clean the panels are. If there is a buildup of dust or debris on the solar panels their output can be drastically reduced. Solar panels are classed as self cleaning due to a special coating that is on the panels. When it rains the water running over the panels will wash off any dirt and should be adequate enough to keep the solar panels clean. If your solar panels are in a dusty area or frequented by birds the amount of dust and debris that builds up over time can be substantial enough to require cleaning. The frequency of cleaning required will change depending on the location of the panels. It is normal for solar panels to be cleaned once a year but could be as frequently as twice a year. If you live in an area that does not suffer from dust or pollution and you receive a high volume of rainfall you might find that you hardly need to clean them at all. This is something to keep an eye on and if you notice your panels looking dirty then we would recommend that you arrange a solar panel clean.
We recommend that when cleaning your solar panels you use a professional solar panel cleaning service. This is because when cleaning your solar panels a water-based cleaning solution is used which conducts electricity. If there is a fault with the panels then there is a risk of electric shock to the person cleaning them. A professional solar panel cleaning service will have the correct equipment to prevent this from happening and will be able to clean the solar panels safely.
How to safeguard my solar panel installation from birds and pests?
Sometimes birds or pests can damage solar panel installations. The reason for this is that the area behind the solar panels is often warmer than the surrounding environment which can attract birds to nest behind the panels. When the birds are building their nest they can pull the cables behind the panels which can damage the cables or loosen the connections.
The solution to this problem is to have bird guards fitted to your solar panels. These provide a barrier preventing access behind the panels. Bird guards are available in three different solutions, bird mesh, bird spikes or metal plates. All are installed around all the sides of the solar array and are fixed to the panels using clips.
It is best to have bird protection installed at the same time that you get your solar panels installed. This is because of the fact that the building should already be scaffolded and access equipment installed to allow the safe and efficient installation of the birdproofing. These products can be retrofitted to existing solar panel installations but there will normally be an additional cost to enable the installer to provide access equipment.
If you want to install bird guards on your solar panel installation contact My Green Electricity for advice and to receive a quote for bird guard installation.
Can extreme weather affect your solar panels?
The first rating factor is called the solar radiation factor (kk value) which is essentially the amount of sun that your roof receives. This value is a combination of your home’s location, the direction the panels are facing and their angle.
Cold Weather
In cold temperatures, electrical resistance in circuits can be reduced which can mean that your solar panels can perform more efficiently. This extra efficiency is negated if the total amount of sunlight is reduced due to clouds. On very cold but sunny days which are quite common in the UK the performance of your solar panel installation can be improved due to the low resistance in the panels and cables.
If there is snow fall your solar panels will not be damaged but their ability to generate power will be reduced or stop entirely. As soon as the temperatures start to increase in the day the snow will melt on the surface of the panels and it will slide off them. Once the solar panels are clear of snow they will start to generate power again.
Very Hot Weather
In very hot weather the resistance of the solar panels can increase which can reduce the efficiency of the solar panels. This is normally not noticeable due to the increased amount of sunlight falling on the panels which will more than cover the increase in resistance.
Stormy Weather
Solar panels have a water resistant surface which helps to keep them clean and prevents damage from water or wet conditions. Your solar panels will generate less power in stormy conditions due to increased cloud cover and less available sunlight. Also, solar panels are durable and can handle normal hail storms without getting damaged.
Windy Weather
When your solar panels are installed by a professional the location that they have been installed has to be taken into consideration. The average amount of wind that they will receive for the proposed location is checked and the number of mounting brackets that need to be installed will be calculated.
If you live somewhere that experiences extreme weather, there should be no additional maintenance required.
How do you monitor the health of your solar panels?
The best way to identify if your solar panels are not performing to their full potential is by using the monitoring app that comes with your solar inverter. The app will have historical data about how much power the panels have generated which can be compared with real time data. This will highlight if your installation is functioning and performing as it should. Once you identify there is an issue with your solar installation a solar health check can be organised.
How much do solar panel maintenance, cleaning or repairs cost?
To prevent having to pay for any repairs it is advised that you have your solar panel installation serviced every 3-5 years. This is a full inspection of all the components of the solar panel installation to ensure their safe and continued operation long into the future. A solar panel service normally takes around two hours and will cost around £120.
For cleaning of your solar panels, the cost will vary depending on the size and accessibility of your solar panels. On average a solar panel clean for a standard domestic installation will range from £100-£150.
It is very rare that something will need repairing or replacing on your solar panel installation but if it does the cost will vary depending on what the issue is. Small repairs can cost around £100 to fix and if a solar panel need replacing it is around £500. If there is an issue with the solar inverter the cost to supply and fit a new one can be around £700.