Christmas is the worst time of year for the household budget. You’re spending a fortune buying honey glazed ham, stuffed turkey and random last minute presents (that you hope won’t be immediately re-gifted), can you really afford a massive post-Christmas electricity bill too? If you have rooftop solar panels; before you install a trillion Christmas lights and invite the rellies to stay, it’s a good idea to think about solar panel aftercare.

That is, how are you looking after your panels to ensure they provide the most power possible?

Solar Panel Aftercare – What is it?

Essentially it’s getting your solar panels serviced and cleaned as necessary. While solar panels are a very safe and reliable addition to your home, problems can still occur. Here’s some examples: 

• Build up of dirt and leaf, matter and mould on top of panels – this equals reduced energy production. In this, and for all the situations listed below we naturally recommend calling a solar panel maintenance professional.
• Deterioration of cable insulation – this can happen over time, or be caused by rats chewing on the cables. If you have DC cables (rather than AC) maintenance can be a safety issue. In rare instances houses have caught fire as a result of malfunctioning DC cabling or joints. This is a case where solar panel aftercare can save you much more than dollars!
• Cracked or damaged panels – this could be the result of debris falling during a storm, or hail (or the next door neighbours’ poor aim with a cricket ball), again damaged panels can reduce efficiency.
• Moisture damage – in severe downpours, water can sometimes work its way into places it shouldn’t, causing damage and leading to long-term problems.

There are numerous other things that can go wrong, but we do stress that solar panels are on the whole, are very reliable, meaning solar panel aftercare should not consume much of your time. 

How Do I Check My Solar Panel Performance?

A lot of people don’t even realise there’s a problem with their solar panels until they get their electricity bill. We think you should know well in advance. Unless you go away for Christmas, your holidays energy expenditure is likely higher than normal so it makes sense to factor in solar panel aftercare on your pre-Christmas to-do list.

The simplest way to check if your solar panels are performing properly is to look at the inverter (aka ‘the box’). The inverter should show a green light. If the light is red, orange or yellow that means you have a problem. Call a professional, or, if you really want to shoulder more responsibility for solar panel after care, check out the readings on the inverter and see if you can access more information through your online account (which is connected to the inverter). The online information can help you see how much power you are losing out on.

We hope this information will help you save money on electricity at Christmas.

If you think your solar panels are overdue for a clean, contact us today.

Please note: Pure Sunshine Solar Cleaning are not endorsing any products or services when referencing information from other websites. If you have a query about your solar panels and wish to discuss options, we’re here and happy to help. Call us today on 07 31422744.