▷ Preventive maintenance of photovoltaic systems: useful guide

Have you ever thought about how to lengthen the lifespan of your solar energy system? The solution is easy: by doing regular upkeep and routine inspections.

The solar energy system is a valuable investment, and to get the best benefits and safeguard your investment, it is important to give it special attention. Routine inspections allow you to spot and fix possible issues before they develop, which helps improve efficiency and guarantees the durability of your system.

So, what upkeep tasks should be done? Discover the answer to this question, along with other helpful details, in the following lines!.

Periodic maintenance of a photovoltaic system

Maintaining your photovoltaic system will not only prolong its life, but also ensure optimal long-term performance. Here, in a nutshell, are the main steps for maintaining a solar system!

Cleaning of photovoltaic panels

Cleaning photovoltaic panels contributes to adequate absorption of solar radiation and guarantees efficient production of electricity. Although rain and wind can help clean the panels, it is important to know that periodic manual intervention is necessary to keep the photovoltaic modules clean and performing.

There are several factors that can contribute to dirty solar panels. Dust, pollen or fallen leaves can settle on the surface of the panels, reducing their efficiency. Furthermore, placing them near the sea, in a wooded area, in an industrial area, in windy areas or in snowy areas can increase the frequency of damage to solar panels.

Recommendations for cleaning solar panels include:

clean the panels at least once a year;
using a low pressure hose and a brush to avoid scratching the panels;
avoid aggressive detergents, which can damage the surface of the panels;
for more persistent stains we recommend contacting a company specialized in cleaning photovoltaic panels.

Monitoring of photovoltaic system performance

Monitoring the performance of your photovoltaic system allows you to quickly identify any problems or malfunctions, but also gives you a clear picture of the performance of your system. This way, you can act quickly to resolve any issues and ensure your system is operating at maximum capacity.

There are many tools that can help you in this process. From energy meters to smart meters to dedicated applications, they offer you real-time monitoring of the performance of your photovoltaic system. You will thus be able to easily check how much electricity your system produces, its general performance and any malfunctions.

Installation check

Before you begin this process, make sure you have a clear understanding of your system’s components, how they work, and what to look for during the inspection.

Corrective maintenance

This involves identifying and resolving problems that occur during system operation. If you detect a problem, such as a loss of power, you should contact a professional to diagnose and repair the problem. This may involve replacing defective components or repairing them.

Preventive maintenance

It is just as important, if not more important, than corrective maintenance. This involves performing regular system checks to prevent problems from occurring in the future. Check your solar panels regularly to ensure they are clean and unobstructed, and inspect them for any signs of wear or damage. It is also essential to check the electrical connections and ensure that all components are working properly.

Maintenance optimization

This implies improving the performance of the photovoltaic system. This can be done by upgrading system components or implementing new technologies that can improve the system’s efficiency.

Additional maintenance of the photovoltaic system

Over time, your solar system may require additional attention from a professional. Why? Because it can detect and fix possible problems that are not visible or accessible to you as the owner.

The authorized technician plays an essential role in this process. He has the skills and tools necessary to carry out complex checks and repairs that do not jeopardize the operation of the system or his own safety. Let’s think about solar panels installed on roofs or the connection of photovoltaic systems to the electricity grid: these are just two examples of situations that require specialized interventions.

The additional maintenance procedure involves several complex operations:

The technician will monitor system performance and identify any problems.
It will then repair damage to the solar panels, photovoltaic cells, structure and electrical connections of the system.
It will also check the other components of the system, such as the inverter, voltage, batteries or the presence of air bubbles.

The benefits of additional maintenance are obvious:

periodic maintenance carried out by a professional guarantees maximum efficiency of the photovoltaic system;
prolongs its life;
in case of malfunctions or anomalies, only an expert will have all the necessary skills to carry out the necessary repairs;
prevents possible accidents caused by incorrect handling of the photovoltaic system components.

The most frequent preventive maintenance operations of the photovoltaic system

The inspections that E-accumulators photovoltaic panel maintenance specialists carry out to discover possible problems and minimize downtime are:

verification of the operating parameters of the photovoltaic panels;
visual inspection of panels for visible defects;
inspection of photovoltaic panels with thermal imaging camera (if applicable);
verification of the operating parameters of the inverter/inverter and related electrical connections;
cleaning of photovoltaic panels from dust deposits (if applicable);
checking the integrity of the mounting structure against corrosion;
checking the integrity of the assembly structure and all fasteners;
verification of the functioning of the protections in the electrical connection panel;
analysis of the performance of the photovoltaic system;
checking the communication module.

When is it advisable to carry out preventive maintenance on photovoltaic panels?

Even if there is no time ideal To carry out this maintenance we recommend scheduling a cleaning of your photovoltaic system after the second year of installation. This is because during the first two years of operation the photovoltaic panels demonstrate their ability to resist atmospheric conditions and generate energy optimally.

Who should perform maintenance? For residential photovoltaic systems with a power of less than 11.08 kW, such as the 5 kW system, it is not mandatory to contact a professional. However, it is advisable to consider this option especially for the most exposed parts of the entire system. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you have the knowledge to do it safely!

The optimal time for cleaning and maintenance of photovoltaic modules is early spring. This is because your panels have been more exposed to adverse weather conditions and are ahead of the peak usage period of your PV system. Therefore, by carrying out cleaning and maintenance in early spring, you will ensure that your system will operate at full capacity during the period when the sun shines the brightest.