The Do’s and Don’t’s of Solar Ownership

The majority of the work surrounding your solar power system will occur prior to and during the installation. Like any major 25-year investment, issues arise and minor maintenance may be required. In this article, we’ll see what exactly you’ll need to do - and not do - when owning a solar panel.

How to Maintain Your Solar System

Operating the array is the simplest part of it all. Turn the main breaker and the disconnect(s) to the ON position. That’s it – you’re now generating solar energy!

The breaker and/or disconnect will be clearly labeled with a red sticker with white writing.

One of the best features of solar energy is its simplicity in operation. No major tasks or upkeep is required to make solar power systems functional. Just make sure you regularly clean it and keep up to date on how much power you’re generating.

Step by Step: What to Do if It Stops Working

1. In many cases, a simple power reset will fix the issue. For this simply turn your system OFF, wait 5-10 seconds, then turn it back ON again. Repeat this with your monitoring system’s ethernet cable and/or your router as the error may be related to your internet connection. Please see your owner’s manual for proper shut-down/start-up procedures for your given inverter type. If technical deficiencies persist, notify your installer immediately.

2. If your solar panels are near a tree or bushes that may grow over time, it is wise to trim/prune any branches that will cause shading on the array. Always follow safe work practices before doing any work yourself and contact a gardener if you need any extreme help.

3. If you live in a particularly dusty area or the modules are collect above-average levels of dust/debris, spray the array off with a hose to clear the surface. Do not climb on your roof to clean the array or scrape snow off.

4. Snow covering solar panels is a common concern. Know that the system will not generate after a heavy snow fall – this is normal and expected, don’t worry. We still do not recommend climbing on your roof to clean your array. The handful of sunny hours per year the modules are not generating solar energy due to snow coverage is miniscule compared to the total generating hours in the year.  Most energy will come in spring, summer and fall, so don’t fret if the array is covered a few days of the year. This is where battery backups are a great idea.

5. In many instances, the solar panels will protect your roof from hail. You should contact your insurance broker/company after you install your solar PV array if any damage is caused by hail.

Do’s and Don’t’s When Installing Solar

DO:

• Contact your home insurance company and let them know you installed solar panels on your home.
• Check your online monitoring system regularly.
• Keep the area in front/above the solar panels free of shading obstructions.

DON’T:

• Clean solar panels with an abrasive tool or chemical solvents
• Climb on your roof unless trained, experienced and wearing proper personal protective and fall-protection equipment
• Be alarmed if your solar power system does not turn on with snow coverage.

What to Expect When Going Solar

Solar arrays are mostly easy and simple to maintain. Mostly. Every now and then there may be technical issues such as inverters flashing error messages, strings not operating, or solar panels not acting normally. If anything like this happens, contact your installer immediately.

Want to learn more about caring for a solar system? Check out the HahaSmart blog!

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