Watt You Need Electrical - Solar System Maintenance Services
Solar system maintenance is very important to keep your system running well but is often overlooked, once your solar power system has been installed
people often don't give it a further thought until either something goes wrong or your power output starts to drop dramatically.
Solar panel cleaning is one job that should be done regularly, particularly during extended dry weather when there's very little rain to rinse the dust
off your panels. Sometimes, however, your panels will need more than a hose off to clean them, they can be contaminated with grime from pollution in
built up urban areas and bird droppings are another common contaminant that can not only reduce the amount of light entering your panels but if left can
also damage the panel surface itself.
If the panels just have a layer of dust on them this can be removed by spraying them with water, this can often be done from ground level eliminating the
hazard of accessing your roof. Always only do this in the early morning or evening when the glass surfaces of the panels are cool as cold water can cause
them to crack if sprayed when they're hot.
If it's more than just dust on your panels then they'll need to be cleaned more thoroughly. The best way to do this is with either a string mop or a very
soft sponge (either method will usually require a long handled tool so you can reach the middle of the panels easily), only use a very mild detergent and
then use it sparingly. Fill a bucket with your detergent solution and using either a mop or sponge gently clean the panel surface. Rinse the panels
thoroughly as you go to ensure there isn't any detergent residue left on the surface. I've seen it advised to squeegee the glass to remove the water but
it's best to let them dry on their own to minimise contact with the glass surface.
There are some hazards involved in accessing your roof so if you're not confident it's best that the job be done by someone qualified for that type of
work.
That's panel cleaning taken care of but there is more to solar system maintenance than just cleaning your panels. Your system will have circuit breakers
and associated wiring between the panels and your inverter, these components and wiring need to be checked by a licensed electrician periodically to
ensure their integrity. Failure to do so can result in all sorts of nasty problems, the least being failure of components, the worst being possible shock
hazards or fires.
Regular system checks are important to maintain your system's performance and also to ensure that all components are in good condition and haven't been
affected by weather, moisture, dust and insects in cabling and enclosures etc. Some electricity distributors require that your system be checked for
correct operation, Powercor require this to be done every three years.
Watt You Need Electrical can take care of all facets of your solar system maintenance, from cleaning panels to maintenance and checks on panel bracketry,
circuit breakers and wiring and your inverter. Give us a call today to discuss your requirements.