Investing in a solar power system is a significant step towards sustainable energy use, and maintaining its efficiency is crucial for maximizing its benefits. It's important to understand that solar maintenance and solar cleaning, while both essential, serve different purposes in the upkeep of your system. Solar maintenance is a technical process that involves a thorough examination and servicing of your system's components. On the other hand, solar cleaning is primarily about keeping your panels and other parts free from environmental elements like dirt and debris and preventing damage from pests.
But what exactly should you expect when you opt for solar maintenance as opposed to solar cleaning?
- What's Included in Solar Maintenance
- What's Included in Solar Cleaning
While maintenance and cleaning are critical for preserving your system's optimal performance, they are complementary services rather than substitutes. Discover how regular maintenance and cleaning not only prolong the life of your solar power system but also ensure it operates at peak efficiency.
Want to Keep Your Solar Power System Running Longer?
Trust the friendly and experienced technicians at Burgeson's Heating, AC, Electrical, Solar & Plumbing to keep your system running efficiently. Our family-owned business has been serving the area since 1949, and our reputation is built on honesty and integrity.
What's Included in Solar Maintenance?
Solar maintenance primarily involves a detailed examination of your system's performance, ensuring that every component and connection is functioning correctly. This service is crucial for maintaining the efficiency of your system, guaranteeing that it operates at its best and delivers optimal energy output.
System Maintenance
After your post-installation inspection shows that everything's connected properly and the system is safe to operate, it's a good idea to have a general maintenance inspection done annually. During this routine inspection, a technician checks to make sure parts and components are in good working order and that no hazards are present.
Inverter Checks
Your technician should ensure that your inverter is working properly and displaying the correct information. Since it's responsible for converting the electricity generated into a state it can be used in, the inverter is one of your system's most vital components, so it must function correctly.
Electrical Wiring and Connections
All electrical connections should be secure, and wiring must be intact to prevent power malfunctions and fire hazards. This is because connections can loosen over time, and animals or weather impacts can reduce the integrity of wire casings.
Performance Monitoring
Performance monitoring is when a technician measures the efficiency of your system and checks for any extreme drops in output. Your system will produce less power over time, but this should be a gradual reduction.
Software and Firmware Updates
The technician must ensure that all software and firmware are up-to-date so you aren't operating your system on outdated programs. Older software and firmware can limit the efficiency of your system, so these updates are an important part of getting the most out of your investment.
What's Included in Solar Cleaning?
Solar cleaning can be considered a maintenance step. It aims to ensure your system's panels and components are free of dirt, grime, or dust that could negatively impact performance.
Dust and Debris Removal
Dust and debris are removed from your solar panels and other exposed system components to ensure full saturation from the sun. This maximizes your power output and prevents damage to the face of your panels over time.
Bird Droppings and Pest Control
Bird droppings can gradually harm your solar panels, while pests like birds and rodents may find the space behind the panels an ideal spot for nesting. Regular cleaning of bird droppings is essential to maintain unobstructed solar panel exposure to sunlight. Additionally, proactive measures to deter or remove nests are crucial in safeguarding the wiring of your solar panels against damage caused by these pests.
Does Your Solar Power System Need a Little Attention?
The experts at Burgeson's Heating, AC, Electrical, Solar & Plumbing will handle all your maintenance needs with an honest and up-front pricing model so you don't get any surprise charges at the end of our visit. We're committed to handling the job right the first time — and our work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.