5 Top Tips for Maintaining Your Solar Energy System

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Okay, so you’ve just had your solar energy system installed.

You’re excited about the benefits to both the environment and energy bills too.

You may now be thinking about how best to maintain your new investment, and how can you ensure that you are getting the optimum use out of them.

At the end of the day, solar panels are a great addition to any home, but they should be cared for and maintained so they can continue to work for quite some time.

A well-looked-after solar panel system can last for as long as thirty years with the proper care. They are an expensive investment, but in the long term, the switch to renewable energy will pay off.

Let’s investigate some ways in which you can maximise the output and longevity of this innovative system for many years to come.

1. Rub-a-dub-dub, get those panels scrubbed

Just like windows, your solar panels need to be clean for light to shine through. If either is covered in dirt, that is never of any use to anyone. Every so often, we recommend about once a year, you should get a bucket with soapy water and scrub those panels with a soft brush.

This process should be carried out with the utmost care and caution. As solar panels are usually installed on the roof of a home, they can be quite difficult to reach. We would always recommend employing a specialist company to carry out the work to ensure your safety.

2. Time for a trim?

While trees are both aesthetically pleasing and perfect for a bit of shade in the warmer months, they can wreak havoc on the light getting to your solar panels. You should ensure that those branches are trimmed back enough to allow your solar system a front-row seat to the sunny show.

3. Health-check your system

While solar energy systems tend to be very resilient bits of kit, they are not immune to the elements or wear and tear. Look out for any loose connections on the wiring, or any damage to the panels from the weather. This should be done after (and definitely not on) a particularly windy day as who knows what could be flying through the air and hit your panels.

4. Keeping a stash of solar goodness

We always recommend considering an energy storage system. It is like having a secret stash for all that extra solar energy your trusty panels generate. In the darker, cooler months where there isn’t as much daylight, you’ll be thankful you invested that little bit extra on a storage system, trust us.

5. Green, everyday habits

Unplugging chargers and turning off lights in your home. These small moves may seem a little insignificant, but they all add up. Imagine this as giving your solar panels a bit of a breather so they are not overworked. When you turn off appliances that are not in use, it helps to alleviate some of the pressure put on your solar energy system. It may not seem like much but trust us, it will help a lot.

Closing Thoughts

There you have it – some key tips on how best to maximise the lifespan and efficiency of your solar energy system. These hacks aren’t the most labour-intensive, but they will absolutely help your innovative system in the long term. After all, if you invest a lot of money into a system like this, then you want to get the most out of it. Solar panel systems do help to save money on your energy bills, but with these tips, you will be able to bank even more money.