With few moving parts and limited maintenance needs, solar panels can last for years without experiencing issues. However, they still need a bit of preventative care to keep them running at peak performance levels. Regular checkups can save you from having to deal with costly repairs down the road. This checklist will guide you through the top five things to check on your solar system each month to ensure any maintenance is taken care of before small issues have a chance to become bigger problems.
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In order to properly maintain your solar system, it’s good to be well versed in each component. A solar system is comprised of the panels themselves, the rack and roof penetrations that affix the panels to your roof, and the wiring and inverters that tie your panels to your home’s electrical system and the grid. Familiarize yourself with your specific array’s setup, and then run through this checklist once per month to keep things ship shape.
Safety Note: Because solar arrays conduct electricity and are often mounted high off the ground, conducting repairs yourself can be hazardous. This list is intended to offer inspection guidelines—not repair suggestions. We advocate for safety first, so contact a professional if you notice any issues when you conduct your visual inspection.
Keeping your panels clean and free from any obstructions ensures you’re maximizing the efficiency of your system. Snow, dust, or leaves on your solar array should be removed regularly. A monthly check to make sure your panels are free of any buildup or obstructions should be enough to keep your system running smoothly.
Don’t attempt to clear your panels yourself if it puts you at risk of a fall. Many solar systems are mounted low enough that cleaning or snow removal is possible from the ground using a long-handled broom or snow rake. You’ll want to verify that using such tools won’t void your warranty, however.
For panels mounted higher—or for arrays with warranties limiting broom or rake use—the solar installer will likely have a solar panel cleaning service to recommend. Hiring professionals can help ensure that your panels receive a thorough cleaning and they won’t be damaged in the process.
Solar panels mount to your roof using a metal structure called a rack. The rack carries the weight of the panels and holds them to the roof using several sturdy bolt penetrations. Your solar panel installer should do a roof inspection before installation to ensure your roof is structurally sound enough for solar panels. However, even on a sound roof, drainage issues can develop as roof materials naturally degrade over time.
A monthly visual inspection of all roof penetrations is a good way to catch any potential drainage or structural integrity issues before they become serious. While it may be difficult to identify drainage issues from the outside, you should be able to spot problems from inside—in the form of leaks. Head up to your attic space to see if you notice any leaky areas under where the panels are mounted.
Missing bolts can be another indicator of an impending rack failure. Panels can loosen in their mounts over time from the weight of snow or from high wind. If you do find a potential issue, contact your solar panel installer to inspect and repair the rack. Don’t attempt to make the repair yourself; since solar panels are part of your electrical system, this repair is best handled by a trained professional.
Solar arrays are made using durable, long-lasting components—most systems can produce electricity for twenty-five years or more. The rack and the panels themselves will almost definitely be made from corrosion-resistant materials, but over a long enough time, corrosion can develop and compromise the strength of your system components.
A visual check of your panels for any corrosion, conducted at least once a month, gives you the opportunity to address any issues with your system’s hardware before a more serious breakdown occurs. As with many of the other inspection points listed here, make sure you call your solar installer to perform any component replacements or repairs for your own safety.
The silicon wafers inside your solar panels are covered by extremely durable tempered glass. This glass is rated to withstand a lot of punishment and is usually strong enough to weather even tough hailstorms. However, fallen tree branches or an especially bad storm can result in broken panels, compromising your system’s output.
If you notice any broken panels, contact your solar installer immediately to replace the section. Depending on the nature of your system, your electricity generation may be cut off until the broken panel is replaced. These types of repairs should be conducted by certified solar installers, since the new panel will need to be integrated with the rest of your system.
All solar arrays involve a component known as an inverter, which converts the direct current the panels produce into the alternating current used in your home’s electrical system. In many cases, each individual panel is wired in a series to one single string inverter, creating many potential points of failure before the electricity makes it to the grid and your appliances.
Faulty wiring can be very difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, there will be a visual indication like a snapped wire or broken connection to rely on, although this may not always be the case. Luckily, there are two other ways to diagnose the system. Many modern solar systems come with real-time production tracking via a web portal or an app. If your system uses this technology, you can check to see if the array is underperforming; if you have an older system that lacks an app or online tool, you can use your monthly electricity bill as an indicator of any potential issues.
If you notice a potential problem, a call to your local solar installer is a must. The electric current running from your panels can seriously injure you, so don’t attempt this repair yourself.
Some solar companies will offer regular inspections of your solar system. If you want to ensure the longevity of your solar installation, a more comprehensive yearly checkup is a good way to round out your own monthly checks. Solar contractors have the expertise and know-how to find and address issues that you may not know to look for. With professional help and a comprehensive checkup plan, you can keep your panels working at maximum efficiency and extend the array’s lifespan.
Although the prices of solar panels have been falling gradually since , the cost of an off-grid solar system setup is rising steadily. However, any homeowner with a basic toolbox can install it on their own, which can help reduce the overall system cost substantially.
The reason why many decide to hire a professional (or give up on the idea entirely) is the seeming complexity of the process, when in fact, if you pull it to bits you see that individual steps are not at all intricate.
The following article is structured as a step by step process which teaches you how to choose the appropriate batteries, solar panels, inverter and charge controller, and then instructs you on how to connect and set them up properly.
In order to build a basic off-grid solar system, you will need the following components:
Out of your toolbox, you’ll want to take out a few items like copper wire, breaker, meter, fuses and MC4 connector.
The next segment provides detailed instructions on setting up an off-grid solar system, with a few important safety notes.
Before selecting the individual components, it is crucial to calculate your energy needs. Don’t let this scare you, as it is just basic math.
Lastly, calculate the total Watt Hour. It is the number you get when you calculate Watt Hours for individual products and then add them all together.
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Homeowners typically choose to install solar panels to have backup power in a shorter-term outage, or to empower an off the grid structure.
Now, to be certain that all your appliances which require constant rated voltage are powered at all times, and that you have enough power for the nighttime, you are advised to go for the deep-cycle battery. Unlike car and bike batteries, deep cycle ones are designed to enable partial discharge and deep slow discharge – what this means is that they can charge during the day, and then gradually discharge between no more than 45 and 75% of their capacity.
Before you move on to other components, you should decide between 12/24 V or 48 V system voltage. Those who plan on powering a smaller home typically go for 12 V or 24 V, while 48 V are reserved for high power-demanding structures.
The purpose of a solar panel is to convert the sunlight it receives into electricity as direct current (DC). They are typically categorized as monocrystalline or polycrystalline, the former ones being slightly costlier, but more efficient.
The solar panel you select should be capable of fully charging a battery you chose in one day. This part can be a bit tricky, since the amount of sunlight highly depends on the geographical area, time of the year, and a number of other factors. Nevertheless, regardless of the location, it is safe to assume the panel will receive sunlight on average for 4 hours.
Common misconception is that solar panels are powered only when the skies are clear, and they receive direct sunlight, when in fact, they are capable on producing electricity in cloudy weather as well. However, they produce around a quarter of the electricity as they do on sunny days, and only 10% on an extremely cloudy day.
Charge controller is a device placed between a battery and a solar panel, used for the regulation of current and voltage that is coming from the solar panels. It regulates the charge to the battery as the input voltage from panels rises. That way, charge controller prevents the battery from overcharging.
There are three types of charge controllers to choose from:
The final decision should be made based on your personal preferences, but our advice would be to go for either MPPT or PWM.
Inverter is a device used to convert the direct current into alternating current (AC), that is, the electricity that powers your appliances.
There are three types of inverters for solar panels to choose from:
The power of the inverter you choose should be higher, or at least equal to the total number of load you’ve calculated in the first step.
It is crucial to set up a solar panel on a ground or rooftop were there will be no obstruction of sunlight. It is also important to tilt it to the right direction – if you are on a northern hemisphere, point them to the south, or point them to the north if you are located somewhere on a southern hemisphere. This way, you ensure they capture maximum sunlight.
One of the methods used to firmly secure the panels is to use concrete that should be poured at each leg of the stand.
To mount the panel to the stand, use inbuilt holes on its sides to screw it to the stand. You will also find a small junction box on the back side of the panel with negative and positive sign of polarity. Junction boxes on smaller panels come with external wires, while on larger panels, they come with terminal wires with MC4 connector.
Use black wire for negative, and red wire for positive terminal connection.
Although you’ve calculated the battery capacity and solar panel rating, note that these sizes are not readily available in a form of a single unit. To make up for the difference, you need to add either a small panel or batteries that would match system requirement.
To match the adequate current rating and voltage, you will need to use series and parallel connections.
Our advice is to start with the charge controller and connect it to the battery first in order for it to get calibrated. First connect the negative wire from the battery to the negative terminal of the controller, and then connect t he positive one.
If you do it correctly, indicator led lights which indicate battery levels will light up on the controller.
Next, connect the charge controller to the solar panel by connecting the wires that you find in the junction box. At this point you will need an MC4 connector.
Safety notes: When connecting the charge controller with the solar panel, make sure the panel is facing away from the sun and cover it with a dark material. This way you avoid potentially damaging charge controller with a sudden high voltage from the solar panel.
Furthermore, when connecting the two devices, positive terminal on the panel should be connected to the positive terminal on the charge controller. The same goes for the negative terminal. Most people decide to use wires of different colors to avoid the mix-up, that can result in breakage, or even fire.
We hope the instructions we provided helped you set up your off-grid solar system. Should you have any doubts, feel free to get in touch – we will be more than happy to provide answers and advice on the best devices you can get for the project.
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