Whether you’re looking into a new commercial solar system or you’re new to solar energy altogether, you’re probably curious about the upkeep and maintenance that solar infrastructure requires. Although we recommend having a thorough understanding of how your system works and what maintenance is required, you will rarely have to do it yourself.
Depending on how you choose to finance your solar project, you may not even be responsible for maintenance and repairs. Even if you are, for most operations and maintenance (O&M) concerns, your best option is to leave it to the professionals at a commercial solar company. Here is a general outline of the maintenance procedures that come with owning a solar energy system.
Aspects Of O&M
Monitoring And Reporting
Although commercial solar infrastructure is generally a low-maintenance technology, regular monitoring and reporting are critical to providing peace of mind that your system is running as it should be. With a remote monitoring solution, you can receive regular reports and alerts on any performance issues, repair needs, or component failures. That way, you can address issues as they arise with minimal downtime to your system. Some providers even offer cloud-based solutions that let you generate your own reports in real time.
Preventative Maintenance
While continuous monitoring alerts you to any problems with your solar system, preventative maintenance takes a proactive approach to keeping these problems from happening in the first place.
Preventative maintenance includes such tasks as panel cleaning and annual equipment inspections. The frequency of cleaning will depend on your climate and can range from quarterly to annually. Generally, twice a year is optimal. Some manufacturers offer robotic panel cleaning to facilitate the cleaning process.
Corrective Maintenance
Corrective measures that require troubleshooting, diagnostics, repairs, replacement, or upgrades are sometimes necessary to optimize system performance. Although solar panels are extremely durable, panel defects do occur sometimes. More affordable panels can also be prone to wear-and-tear issues or corrosion. Depending on the manufacturer’s warranty, you may be able to file a claim so that the manufacturer is responsible for repairing or replacing defective components.
The Importance Of O&M
Ongoing O&M is essential if you want to keep your system running at optimal performance levels while maximizing your return on investment (ROI) for the life span of your solar infrastructure. Dirt on panels reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches your system, and damaged inverters or panels can negatively impact the overall output of your solar arrays. If you choose to ignore O&M, you’re only limiting the potential of your solar installation’s performance and minimizing your ROI.
If you want to learn more about what our solar maintenance programs involve or if you’re ready to take a proactive approach to maintaining your solar electric system, contact the experts at Verogy today.
