To ensure optimum efficiency, solar panels need regular maintenance. What does such maintenance involve? When and how often is it best to have such a maintenance carried out on your solar panels?

Why maintain solar panels?

Regular maintenance of your solar panels is important for the following reasons:

• Maintaining optimal efficiency: dust and dirt can reduce the efficiency of your solar panels by up to 3%. So to make sure your solar panels are performing optimally, have them serviced regularly.
• Extending the life of the installation: by carrying out regular maintenance, you will more quickly detect damage, wear and defects that would otherwise go unnoticed. If you can solve these problems quickly, you will be able to enjoy an optimally functioning installation for longer.

Need maintenance on your solar panels? Call on a specialist for this, Zonnestraaloptimaal.nl works with several partners who can thoroughly clean your solar panels, he will make your installation perform optimally. Get in touch with professionals in your area via Zonnestraal optimaal partner of klantgarant bv

How to maintain solar panels?

The beauty of solar panels is that they have no moving parts. This means little maintenance is required. But to keep them functioning optimally, it is wise to carry out occasional checks and keep the panels clean

Cleaning solar panels

The most important thing about solar panel maintenance is to clean them regularly. Cleaning solar panels is done by first removing coarse dirt such as leaves, branches, etc. Do this on a regular basis, as dirt can greatly affect the efficiency of your solar panels.

Afterwards, you can wash the solar panels with osmosis water and a soft brush or cloth. Are the panels not easily accessible? Then use a telescopic brush with integrated water inlet. Under no circumstances use aggressive cleaning agents or scouring pads.

Technical maintenance of solar panels

Notice that your solar panels are suddenly generating less power for no apparent reason? Then there may be a technical defect in your installation. In this case it is best to contact your solar panel installer for a technical check. Naturally, solar optimally has many partners who carry out this work and technical maintenance nationwide

To be completely sure that your installation is working properly, you can also have your solar panels preventively checked on a regular basis (e.g. every 5 years) by your installer.

When do solar panels need maintenance?

How often is it best to have your solar panels cleaned? Usually, it is sufficient to have your solar panels cleaned annually or biannually to remove stubborn dirt. More often is usually not necessary, as rain washes away much of the dirt. It is best to have your solar panels serviced at the beginning of spring. This is when your solar panels generate the most power.

TIP: monitor solar panels to check yield

It is wise to regularly check the opbrengst of your solar panels to monitor and control them. You can monitor the output of your solar panels with an app. Don't have an app connected to your solar panel installation? Then you can usually also use your inverter or smart meter read the amount of power generated by your solar panels.

If there is a significant drop in yield, irrespective of the change in solar radiation, it is best to look at where the problem may lie. Can't find a cause yourself? Then it is wise to have a technical maintenance carried out. Contact your installateur, if for some reason you do not have contact with the installer who installed the solar panels on your property, we at sunbeam optimal.co.uk can also facilitate this for you.

Which solar panel parts to check?

A solar panel maintenance is not just limited to cleaning the panels. During a thorough cleaning, a professional will also check the following:

• Possible damage to solar panels: when Sunbeam optimally cleans your solar panels, it will also check the panels for any damage at the same time.
• Couplers and connectors: Zonnestraal optimal also always checks that the connectors are still tightened and in good condition.
• Frame: while cleaning your panels, sunbeam optimal always takes the frame with it too. Does the frame show signs of wear? Then it is best to have it replaced as a poorly maintained frame also affects the life of your solar panel system.
• InverterAn inverter requires no maintenance, but does have a shorter lifespan than the solar panels. So keep in mind that the inverter will need to be replaced after 10 to 15. The cost of a new inverter is between €500 (small installation) and €1,500 (large installation).

Solar panel maintenance costs

You can divide the cost of maintaining your solar panels into 2 cost items:

1. Solar panel cleaning costs

If you want to have your solar panels cleaned, the cost is usually around € 3.75 to 7.50 per solar panel, depending on the number of solar panels. In addition, there is then a fixed cost of around €40 to €50. A solar panel installation with 16 solar panels will cost around €70-130 (excluding VAT) to clean. If significantly more solar panels need to be cleaned, for example 15 on the house, 5 on an outbuilding & 7 on a garage, the lower rate will come into effect. Zonnestraal optimal can also send a partner by to provide a no-obligation quote.

2. Cost of technical inspection of solar panels

Other maintenance costs are in the inspection of your solar panels where a check is done to make sure the solar panels do not have defective cells and that the cabling is still in good condition. The cost of a technical check usually varies from € 80 to 100 (excl. VAT). It is wise to have this done every 5 years. This limits the annual costs.

Curious about a customised price to clean and check your solar panels? Through our site, you will receive no-obligation price proposals from partners affiliated with sunbeamoptimal.com in your area.

Tips for optimal maintenance of solar panels

Want to enjoy maximum output from your solar panels year after year? Then keep in mind the tips below to maintain your solar panels in the best possible way.