The future of sustainable energy is solar. More and more American households are installing solar panels due to their increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Even local municipalities, businesses, and other organizations are lowering their energy bills by turning to solar. As a result, solar energy is poised to supply more power than coal by 2027. 

Getting the most out of a solar panel requires more than just installing it properly, however. In my experience, many people don’t realize these systems require regular maintenance, but this step is vital to ensuring their solar arrays actually produce their maximum amount of power.

Inspecting solar panels

The exact angles at which solar panels are set are important for their productivity. Therefore, if the wind or an animal knocks one askew, it can diminish how much energy the panel produces. That’s why one of the first things a technician will do is ensure each panel is positioned correctly, as well as the array as a whole.

Similarly, heavy weather and the natural movement of animals can loosen the wiring. Since solar arrays are usually wired together, having a problem can have a wider impact and decrease the others’ performance. During their visit, the technician will check all connections, tighten any as needed, and examine each panel for damage. 

Diagnosing damage

Hail, falling debris, or even just fluctuating temperatures can cause microcracks in solar panels. These cracks may even be too small to see with the human eye, but if there are enough of them, they can become a real problem. Indeed, such cracks can even lead to electrical fires.

In addition, as solar panels age, their seals sometimes stop being effective, and lamination can start to peel away, allowing water to penetrate and cause corrosion. Just like a rusty bike chain makes it more difficult to turn the pedals, a corroded solar panel doesn’t work as efficiently as it should.

If spots or streaks (such as silvery lines called “snail trails”) start to appear on the panels, other problems could be indicated, such as poor soldering or faulty groups of photovoltaic cells. Solar panels can also develop a problem called Potential Induced Degradation — or the “PID Effect” — in which the panel ages faster than it should. This happens due to a difference in voltage between the panel and its grounding.

Regular maintenance checks catch these issues and mitigate them early, so that minor problems don’t mutate into monsters.

Repairing damage

A good solar technician will be able to minimize or outright solve any issues your solar panels develop. If a seal looks like it could use reinforcement, for instance, they might reapply another layer of silicone. If they suspect microcracks, they might use infrared photography to diagnose them. Should it turn out the suspicion was correct, the technician may close them by applying a layer of laminate film or quick-drying polyurethane over the surface.

Even solar panels with PID can be repaired. A piece of equipment called a PID box can work during the night to regenerate the affected cells by reversing the direction of the electrical current.

With regular maintenance, owners can have the peace of mind that their panels are being given the support and attention they need to produce energy best for the longest possible time.

Testing power output

Speaking of producing energy, technicians also use multimeters to test each panel’s level of production. This includes checking how much voltage and current each panel produces under different conditions, from direct sunlight to overcast skies.

Since subpar performance would generate less energy and lengthen the payback period, technicians pay particular attention to ensure panels perform up to their expected levels. If they aren’t, the technician investigates, identifies the problem, and proposes options to fix it.

Cleaning solar panels

Another part of a routine maintenance visit involves cleaning the solar panels. In my experience, solar panels tend to attract all manner of dirt and debris. While some of this mess makes sense and could be anticipated — like twigs, bird droppings, and insect carcasses — sometimes my team comes across the strangest things, like abandoned tennis shoes and stray Christmas decorations.

The important thing is to clear all these things away, since they can block sunlight from reaching the panels. However, conducting this cleaning without harming the panels is harder than you might expect. Special equipment is necessary, as well as cleaning solutions that have been formulated for each specific kind of panel. We avoid soap, since it leaves a film behind that degrades the panels’ performance.

Regular maintenance maximizes output

As solar becomes more widespread, more and more households and organizations can be proud to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels, even while saving money on their electric bills. Yet maximizing the output of any solar array requires routine cleaning and maintenance. That’s why installing solar should never be understood as a one-and-done proposition. 

Stop minor concerns from turning into major headaches. Have your system cleaned and maintained regularly. 

— Hunter Adams is the Founder and CEO of Detach Reset Solar. He has successfully completed over 1200 projects and actively participated in more than 2000 solar initiatives. His unwavering dedication, commitment to excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and relentless pursuit of innovation has earned the trust of 700 companies nationwide.