Despite setbacks and the financial crisis, the adoption of solar panels grew in 2020 and one can only expect this trend to continue as 2023 progresses.
But before you start buying your solar panels, do look for grants for solar panels as you need to consider solar maintenance.
. While solar panels are intended to last for decades, improper maintenance means you’ll have to replace them sooner than later.
But what are the common errors with solar maintenance? How can you avoid them?
Here’s what you need to know:
- Cleaning Solar Panels
One of the most stressful aspects of owning solar panels is cleaning them. In many cases, rain is enough to clean your solar panels.
However, the common error that many homeowners make is that they depend solely on rain or other weather. If your climate is often dry, then dust can build up on the solar panels.
You’ll have to invest in a squeegee to clean your solar panels. You’ll need to dip it in a bucket full of clean water mixed with soap.
Make sure you clean your solar panels when it’s not too sunny. This ensures that your solar panels will dry soon after cleaning and not while you’re cleaning.
You can also use another squeegee to dry your solar panels. Don’t make the error of relying solely on the sun to keep them dry.
If you don’t dry the solar panels then black spots can appear on them. These can block the sun and weaken your solar power supply in the long run.
- Inspecting Your Solar Panels
You’ll also have to inspect your solar panels on occasion. Ideally, you should do this at least once every other week.
You want to check if there’s any damage to them. If you notice that your energy isn’t generating as usual, it can often mean that your solar panels are damaged.
In such a case, you have to call the installation company. They can quickly fix the damage.
As an extra note, one reason why your solar panels might get damaged is due to weather or debris. A common error is that many homeowners leave their solar panels uncovered. Use a sturdy tarpaulin to protect your solar panels at all times.
- Turning Off Your Solar Power
One common error that many new homeowners forget is to turn off their solar power when needed.
When you have to inspect or clean your solar panels, you should turn the power off. Since this can take a few hours, make sure you plan in advance.
You’ll also have to inform the other members of the household. Let them know when they’ll have to go without power as you attend to the solar panels.
You should also turn off your solar power once in a while to preserve energy. Consider turning the power off at night when everyone is asleep.
- Installing Them Yourself
While you might not think this is an error it often is. Or, it leads to many other errors — not to mention headaches!
You want to hire a solar panel provider for installation services. They’ll install the solar panels as fast as possible. They can also survey your property to determine where to install solar panels.
Installing solar panels can take several hours or even several days. In some cases, the installation experts will have to enter your home to test out the solar power.
Make sure you schedule time in advance. You want to ensure that the installation process can occur with minimal interruption to your daily life.
- Not Shopping Around
As the solar panel industry grows, you can expect to see more companies providing them.
A common error that will probably continue is not shopping around. You want to ensure you choose the company that sells the best-quality solar panels.
As stated in the previous tip, you should also choose a company that helps with solar panel installation. Make sure you take your time to find the best company in your area.
You want to choose a company that understands your locale. They’ll have previous experience working with homeowners in your area. They’ll be able to do a better job at servicing you as a result.
Make sure you read reviews online to get an idea of how a solar panel company is received. If you know of any homeowners with solar panels, make sure you ask them to provide you with testimonials.
- Not Knowing the Laws
As solar panels become more popular throughout the United States, more laws are being created to regulate their use.
Some of these can work in your favor, such as tax benefits. Others will be strict rules that will result in fines if you don’t follow them. In the excitement of installing solar panels, many homeowners make the error of not researching these laws.
The solar panel company can help you research these laws. However, you also want to research these laws on your own.
For example, some jurisdictions might require you to apply for a permit first. Others will ban solar panel use in certain neighborhoods.
Make sure you also learn how you can receive tax credits and rebates from solar panel installation. Many states are offering this as a push to move permanently to solar panels.
If you’re shopping for a new home, you might want to buy one that already has solar panels. There might be special laws and provisions that you’ll have to follow with this as well.
As solar panels continue to be popular, there’ll be a greater onus on homeowners to know how to use them in order to remain compliant with local laws.
Avoid These Errors With Solar Maintenance
Now you know the common errors with solar maintenance and how to avoid them.
Make sure you inspect your solar panels often. You also want to ensure you clean them often and dry them. Don’t forget to turn off the solar power on occasion.
It’s always best to hire professionals for solar panel installation. Make sure you shop around to find the best company. You’ll also have to be aware of local laws regarding solar panel usage.
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