A Dirty Word: Maintenance

Perhaps you are one of those early adopters who refitted their home with solar panels, enjoying the reality that you are less dependent on the grid and making responsibly “green,” energy-efficient decisions. Zero waste and pollution-free.

YOU’RE ALREADY MAKING GOOD DECISIONS

Congratulations. Your decisions really are making a difference, in your own life and in your communities as well.

But long-term,

The debris that settles onto your panel becomes barriers to light and prevents your panels from working the way they were meant to perform. Debris such as dust, smog, dirt, sand, and really any other form of grime decrease your panel's efficiency. The good news, of course, you can maintain your panels with regular maintenance and washing.

A FEW THOUGHTS

We have a few thoughts for you as you’re thinking about this daunting task called cleaning and maintenance. First, it’s not daunting. And second, you got this.

We’ll root all of our thoughts in five words: annual, hire, winter, evening, supplies.

Let’s start with annual. Cleaning and maintenance on your solar panels should be done annually, which means once a year it’s time to put some effort into the well-being of your solar system. You could do this more often of course, and then you would get a better result, but, annually is sufficient.

Now hire. For some, the word hire is a dirty word, like maintenance. Someone might say, “I’d never hire for such a simple basic task like this. Well, it’s basic till you add the hazards: heat, roof, height. If you feel capable to tackle this alone, be careful. But, companies exist to relieve you of this burden — like ours — and it’s a safe and wise decision to guard yourself against any potential danger. If you’re not walking a roof daily, you’re less prepared than those who do.

Winter. The best time of year to perform maintenance on your panels is at the end of winter. The weather is less formidable and you’re preparing them in time for the sunny season.

Evening. Using the same logic from above, do your solar panel maintenance when your panels are cooler. You do not want to hurt or burn yourself, and you do not want to damage your panels. The evening is the time.

And finally supplies. Warm water, dish soap, a soft cloth, and a handy squeegee are all your need to clean the surface of your panels, remove the grime and dirt, and make sure your panels are prepped for the next season and working efficiently.

LAST THOUGHT

If you’re reading this you are a part of the revolution. Our team is here to help to ensure that you are not just a solar owner, but a smiling one.