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Does My Solar Power System Require Regular Inspections?

Are you unsure about the best way to maintain efficiency in your solar power system in the long term? One of the best ways to look after your system is with regular inspections.

What is the Eexpected Efficiency Degradation for Solar Panels?

Before we discuss the maintenance, it’s worth mentioning that all solar panels degrade slightly over time. You will notice when you buy solar panels that you’re given a performance warranty. Rather than being a promise that your panels will operate at 100% efficiency forever, this is a guideline of the expected performance degradation over the life of your panels.

For example, a manufacturer may give you a warranty that promises no more than a 10% degradation in the first 10 years, and then another 10% over the following 15 years. These numbers vary of course, but it’s a sign that no solar panels, no matter how much you spend, will operate at 100% efficiency forever. Most quality solar panels will lose between 0.5-3% performance per year.

So, Do My Panels Need Regular Inspections?

he short answer is yes. It’s best to have your solar power system inspected regularly to ensure that it’s still working within expected guidelines. Unless you frequently track and monitor your solar system’s output, you may not even be aware there is an issue. So, having your system inspected regularly helps you stay on top of any unexpected performance issues.

How often you have your system checked is up to you, however, every 12 to 18 months is usually the recommended time frame. You can tie this in with annual cleaning, which is another important part of solar system maintenance.

What’s Involved In a Solar Inspection?

Your solar panel inspection should check for a range of potential issues. Some of the things that will be checked during routine maintenance include:

• Ensuring your solar panels are clean and free of problems
• Making sure your panels are still secured safely
• Checking the wiring for damage or deterioration
• Making sure no parts have corroded
• Ensuring isolator switches are still working properly
• Analysing the inverter display for any recorded faults since the last inspection
• Clearing vents from debris
• Checking that all switches are in good working order
• Comprehensive electrical checks to make sure all components are working safely
• Checking that all fittings and cables are secured
• Ensuring emergency procedures for shutdown and isolation are clearly displayed

Importantly, your solar panels can also be cleaned professionally. This keeps them free of debris such as dirt, grime, bird droppings or other contaminants that may reduce solar energy production.

Who Should Perform a Regular Inspection?

While you don’t need to be an expert to clean solar panels, it’s recommended that only qualified specialists perform inspections on your system. This may be a licensed electrician or a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited solar installer.

This is partly because they have the expertise to perform such checks, but they also have the electrical qualifications to ensure your solar system doesn’t pose any safety risks. Ultimately, if you do choose to use an electrician rather than a solar installer, it’s a good idea to make sure that they specialize in solar energy. This will give you extra peace of mind that the inspection is being carried out properly.

Does My Home’s Location Affect How Often I Should Have Inspections?

It certainly does. If you live close to the ocean, you might need to schedule more regular inspections and cleaning. With this positioning, there are often higher winds and salt deposits can form on your panels. In addition, if you live in a very dusty area, or where there’s a lot of vegetation nearby, more frequent inspections are advised.

Contact Solar Bright for Solar Panel Inspections Today

Whether you purchased your solar system through us or not, Solar Bright is always happy to arrange regular solar system inspections. We want all of our customers to get the most out of their solar installation, and regular maintenance plays a big part in that. Contact the friendly team at Solar Bright today, and keep maximising the benefit of your solar panel installation.