What You Need To Know About Solar Panel Maintenance

With solar energy growing in popularity as a sustainable power source, homeowners naturally have questions before making any long-term commitments. We’re here to help with this list of things you need to know about solar panel maintenance.

How Much Maintenance Is Required?

You’re in luck! There are tons of reasons why solar panels are an excellent addition to many homes (including offsetting energy bills and increasing home value), but one of the best is that they require very little maintenance. Every once in a while, you should give them a light cleaning to clear dust, dirt, and debris off to ensure they can collect as many rays as possible.

If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, know that you may need to take on more frequent maintenance during those wintry months.

How Do You Maintain Solar Panels?

Most solar panels are installed on a tilt, which helps with maintenance—rainfall naturally clears off accumulated dirt and debris! However, when your area goes several days or weeks without rainfall, it’s a good idea to clean them manually (around four times a year). Break out a garden hose or a leaf blower, clear off any obstructions, and you’ll be good to go!

When clearing snow off your solar panels, use lukewarm water (not hot) and a squeegee with a long handle. Remember, hot water and snow create a significant temperature disparity that can crack your panels—avoid hot water at all costs!

Do You Need a Warranty?

The short answer: yes! The two main types of warranties for solar panels are product/workmanship warranties and performance warranties (protecting against physical defects and ensuring an electricity production minimum, respectively). Warranties last anywhere from 10 to 25 years, so they can really help guarantee that your panels will remain effective for the long haul.

Now that you understand what you need to know about solar panel maintenance, keep your energy bills low with minimal effort and consider switching to solar power!