The average cost to repair a solar panel is $710, but depending on the damage it can wind up costing thousands.
With so much money on the line, you have to be sure you’re doing proper solar panel care in order to avoid anything happening to them. But they’re fragile and if you don’t know what you’re doing when you do your regular solar panel maintenance you can wind up making an expensive mistake.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the most common mistakes people make when taking care of their solar panels, and how to avoid making them.
Keep reading to learn more.
- Using Too Much Pressure
Growing up we’re often taught that when cleaning things we need to use “elbow grease” to really get in there and scrub them clean. But you can’t do that with solar panels. When cleaning them you have to be gentle or you can easily damage the surface or the delicate seals and connections of the panels.
To be as effective as possible your solar panels need to be free of dirt and debris, but when cleaning you need to be gentle. This means no hard scrubbing and no power washers.
To avoid this mistake be sure to use only a soft brush or cloth to clean them, don’t scrub too hard, and never use a pressure washer.
- Using the Wrong Chemicals
Regular soaps and household cleaners can do more damage than actual cleaning when cleaning solar panels. The chemicals in them can easily damage the panels’ protective layer, which then leaves them even more vulnerable to the elements.
Ammonia especially will cause problems. It is caustic and will damage the cells of a solar panel, leading to them needing to be repaired.
Avoid this mistake by either buying a solar panel cleaning solution or using a gentle mixture of water and vinegar. If you’re unsure of what to use exactly, the solar installers near you will be able to direct you to the right cleaning solutions for you to use.
- Ignoring Maintenance
While people know the benefits of a residential solar system, they don’t always think about the maintenance involved to keep them in good condition. That’s why one of the biggest mistakes people make is ignoring maintenance altogether.
In order for them to be as effective as possible, they need to be cleaned and looked after regularly. Ignoring maintenance can lead to a decrease in electricity generated from the panels, and can lead to small damages becoming massive, expensive damages.
To avoid this, simply do the work or hire someone to help you. Additionally, always be on the lookout for solar panel damage. And if you notice any signs of damaged panels, handle them immediately.
- Avoid These Solar Panel Care Mistakes
Solar panels can be a great investment for your home, but you have to take care of them. Avoid making these solar panel care mistakes and you will be on your way to keeping them in good condition for as long as possible.
For more like this, check out the other articles in our home category.
