Maintaining solar panels is important to keep them working at optimum. In today’s climate, our carbon footprints are becoming a pressing issue. With an average household producing 8.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, it’s no wonder that people are looking for renewable alternatives. Perhaps the most popular are solar panels due to their ease of use and small footprint, but they still require regular maintenance to ensure you get the best out of them.

In this guide, we take you through the necessary steps in order to maintain solar panels for optimal performance.

Maintaining Your Solar Panels

As with anything that’s kept outside exposed to the elements for long periods of time, solar panels will accumulate dust, dirt and debris on the surface. This kind of build-up can block some of the sun’s rays from being absorbed, resulting in up to 25% reduced energy efficiency. Therefore, it’s essential to make an effort to keep your solar panels clean.

Fortunately, keeping them clean is much simpler than you may think. To start, turn off your solar panel system and disconnect any other power sources. Then, find a soft sponge and some soapy water and gently rub the surface to remove the dirt. It’s important to make sure that your sponge isn’t abrasive, as it can scratch the surface of your panels. Similarly, avoid any harsh chemical cleaners. When you’re done, you can simply rinse them off and leave them to dry in the sun.

Inspecting them for potential issues

When you’re cleaning your panels, it’s also important to check for any potential issues in the solar panel system. Start with basic checks, so look out for cracks, chips or other damage to the panels themselves. If you don’t spot any, move on to check the cables for any signs of wear or loose connections.

There are a few other checks that should be carried out regularly, but it’s important not to attempt them if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. For example, the voltage and output of your panels will need to be checked. This can be done using a multimeter if you have one at home. Once you have the readings, compare them to the panel specifications to make sure they’re in line with what’s expected.

Another component of the solar panel system that needs regular inspections is the inverter. This component converts the current from DC to AC, with AC being what’s used as the mains supply in UK homes, so it’s vital that it’s working correctly. You can do a simple inspection yourself by looking for any error codes or warning lights, but if you think anything warrants further inspection, it would be best to consult a professional.

Implementing a regular maintenance schedule

All of these tasks will need to be carried out regularly, so it’s a good idea to establish a schedule. Some tasks will only need to be done annually whereas others should be done monthly, so having a schedule in place can help to keep you on track with the maintenance required. Here’s an idea of what your schedule should look like:

Monthly: Check the panels for debris, e.g. leaves, bird droppings etc. and carefully remove them.

Every six months: Clean the panels using a soft sponge and soapy water, while checking for any obvious signs of damage.

Annually: Check the electrical components, take readings and inspect the inverter. This would be best done by a professional in order to get the most in-depth information.

Investing in solar panels is not only beneficial for our planet but also for your wallet. As long as you keep up with regular maintenance to ensure they’re performing at their best, having solar panels can significantly reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from our national grid. Not only that, but there’s also the option to sell any excess energy that you produce, so it can be incredibly financially rewarding in the long run.

In fact, having solar panels can actually save households £943 each year on average, or an incredible £23,500 over 25 years. So, as long as you follow our tips above and keep your solar panels in good shape, you’re bound to reap the benefits of your labour for years to come.

>>Read more about solar in the UK

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