In general, solar panels are extremely durable. Most manufacturers test them for resistance to strong winds, snowfalls, hail. In addition, solar energy systems usually have no moving parts, so they require little to no maintenance. However, in order to extend the life of solar panels and slow down their degradation, certain actions must be taken.
- Regularly inspect panels
- Avoid mechanical damage
- Install panels correctly
- Consider weather conditions
- Clean panels regularly
Regularly inspect panels
Regularly check the technical condition of the panels. This will help identify potential problems such as exposed wires, loose racks, small cracks, and the like. You can do it yourself, but only if you are very well versed in this matter. It is preferable to have your solar system professionally inspected. A company that specializes in maintenance of solar panels will check and monitor the condition of the panels, and will also be able to analyze how the solar panel has degraded over a period of time.
But on your own, you can accidentally ruin the panels by scratching the protective glass or damaging the structure, and, ultimately, lose your warranty. In addition, the inspection of solar panels may also include inspection of other equipment used in the solar installation, such as inverters and rack/rack systems on the roof. Typically, a common failure problem in many solar installations is not the panels themselves, but the inverters that fail. A typical central inverter for a photovoltaic installation will last 10-15 years, which is less than the average life of panels, which means it will have to be replaced at some point during the life of the batteries – this is where experts can help. When it comes to racks (racks), it is always important to make sure that the panels are securely fixed in place, the fasteners are not loose or displaced.
Regular inspections are necessary to detect even the smallest defects and minimize the chances of more damage. And this work should be done only by professionals. Therefore, do not save and contact the experts. For example, to the company that installed your panels, or to the manufacturer (they can be one person).
Avoid mechanical damage
Check your panels annually for mechanical damage such as scratches. The more scratches on the panels, the faster they break down. In the worst case, moisture can seep through the scratches, causing the solar panels to short out.
During installation, you or the installer must take care that there are no large trees near the panels that would cast a shadow – this leads to a decrease in the energy efficiency of the solar installation. In addition, branches can fall from trees and damage panels. To protect against birds, cats, squirrels and other rodents that can climb and climb on solar panels, build nests there, you can install special devices that scare away animals. If you manage to avoid mechanical damage to your solar panels, they will operate efficiently and generate power for many years, possibly even longer than the standard 25-30 year warranty period.
Occasionally, problems can begin from the moment the panels are assembled. For example, if the panels were originally manufactured with hidden cracks, invisible at the initial stage of quality control and shipment, but manifested during installation. Some impurities used in photocells can also lead to corrosion of the module. And, like all electronics, solar cells are vulnerable to short circuits between cell junctions, a phenomenon that is more common in thin-film cells than in their crystalline silicon counterparts. These issues are usually covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, which covers the cost of the replacement panel and the labor required to install it.
Install panels correctly
The risk of mechanical damage to solar panels can be reduced by carefully considering the installation location , where they will be less affected by wind, shock, and also take into account some other factors that affect the overall performance of the system.
- The efficiency of a solar plant can be significantly affected by the slope of the panels. Ideally, it would be correct to adjust the slope of the panels throughout the year, since the sun is higher in summer and lower in winter. Each fixed tilt system has an optimum angle at which it will make the most of each season, and while a few degrees may not be critical in one year’s efficiency, the difference in system life can be significant. True, there are systems that automatically track the movement of the Sun and adjust the tilt of the panels, but they are much more expensive and require regular maintenance, because they have moving parts.
- Geographic latitude has a great influence on the performance of the solar system. Structures installed at higher latitudes produce less power throughout the year due to the tilt of the earth as it rotates on its axis. In this case, if you live in such latitudes and do not plan to move, you will practically not be able to influence this factor, and the performance will have to be regulated in other ways, for example, by increasing the size of the solar plant, etc.
- Orientation to the cardinal points when placing modules (on the roof or elsewhere) can significantly affect performance. The best direction for placing PV modules is south, in second place is west, and the third option is east. Rooftops and other north-facing panel placements can also sometimes provide adequate performance, but north-facing azimuths are generally not recommended. Although it is difficult to control the rooftop area available to each azimuth, you can understand in principle how to properly use the available rooftop space, taking into account the cardinal directions, to optimize the production of the entire system.
Consider weather conditions
Climate can also have a significant impact on system performance.
If you live in a temperate zone, installed panels are likely to last longer than at higher latitudes, where seasonal temperature changes and the associated expansion and contraction of materials can lead to micro-cracks.
Panels subject to heavy snow load may degrade earlier due to the frame bending under the weight of the snow. As a result, its internal components can be exposed to moisture and ice, and in some cases, the panel can be completely displaced from the frame. Ice and snow can also loosen or bend the fasteners holding the panels. All this will increase the likelihood of damage to the panels themselves.
The more extreme conditions the panels are exposed to (high wind and humidity, scorching temperatures, annual freeze/thaw cycles), the faster they degrade. Take this into account when installing, for example, consider sheltering the structure from the wind. If the climate is difficult in your area, ask the manufacturer or installer how to protect the panels. For example, covering a solar panel with an opaque tarp will not help protect the panel, but will only reduce UV exposure and the amount of light, and with it the performance of the panel, but it may overheat. However, in low temperature conditions, covering the panels when they are not in use may be the only option to protect them. What measures to take must be considered in each case.
There is a common misconception that modules will generate less power at low temperatures. In fact, the opposite is true. Heat is the enemy of efficiency, and cold environments can prevent solar systems from overheating and losing performance. In addition, snow reflects and concentrates sunlight, improving overall lighting. So, if you don’t allow the panels to drift in the snow, your system will benefit greatly from the cold environment. Understanding how weather and climate will affect the system from season to season is paramount when designing a solar system to meet your energy needs.
Clean panels regularly
Be sure to keep your solar panels clean. This is doubly true in very windy regions. With regular cleaning, the efficiency of your solar system can increase by an average of 3-5% per year. Therefore, make sure that dust, dirt, sand, traces of birds and animals do not accumulate on the surface of the panels. In metropolitan areas, don’t let smog settle on the panels. In winter, if possible, keep snow and frost away from the panels. This is especially true for panels located horizontally.
In most cases, as we said above, you should avoid installing an array of solar panels under the trees. But if this cannot be avoided, you should regularly clean the solar panels from small branches, leaves, however, as well as from other debris. If you keep your solar plant clean, you will reduce the risk of mechanical defects, and the solar panels will maintain the required efficiency and give you no trouble for many years.
Monitor the power output of your solar panels before and after cleaning, and over time. When doing this, take notes so that you can better assess how cleaning affects the operation of the solar system. Solar systems are very durable and the technology is practical and productive. If you follow the above tips, solar panels will last much longer than stated by the manufacturer, and will give high efficiency for several decades.