How do I Know my Solar Power System is Working Properly?
Whether you already have solar panels on your roof or are considering it, you’ll want to make sure they’re operating at full capacity. While solar panels are quite robust and built to provide many years of trouble-free service, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of them.
Throughout their useful lives, solar panels require very little maintenance and are built to survive for decades. That being said, you’ll want to check on your solar panels from time to time to ensure they’re in good working order.
In a survey of over 1000 solar owners, it was discovered that 33% had problems with their equipment. Overall, 11% said their Solar Power System was producing less energy than the installer predicted, and 21% said they had no idea whether it was working well or not!
Also Read – How Do Solar Panels Work for your Home in Fresno – You Should Know.
If you’re not sure how well your solar panels are working –
- Check the weather
- Look for and clear debris
- Watch for shade on your panels
If that also doesn’t solve your problem, here are some tell-tales on how to ensure her solar panels are working
1. Monitor your Production
How can you figure out how many kWh of solar power your panels are producing at any one time now that you know which inverter you have? This is where monitoring comes in, and the method you choose will be determined by your solar installer and the hardware you have.
Most Solar in Fresno include some sort of monitoring system for the systems they install, whether it’s a real monitor at your home or an internet app. If your provider doesn’t provide monitoring, you can monitor solar energy generation directly through the inverter. If you have micro-inverters, your service provider will need to provide an app or website for you to view the data.
2. Don’t Rely on your Electricity Bill
It is discovered that 46% of Solar Power System owners check their bills to see whether there are any issues, however, this is unreliable. The quantity of money you received for your exported solar doesn’t offer you a fair picture of how well your investment performed.
Your statement only indicates the amount of solar energy exported to the grid and the amount of electricity you’ve received from the grid, not how much energy was produced by the PV system in total or how much of that was consumed in the house.
3. Know your Inverter
The inverter is the brain of your solar energy system if the solar panels are the brawn. The direct current (DC) produced by your solar panels is converted to alternating current (AC) for use in your home by your inverter. To ensure that your solar energy system is operating properly, start with the inverter.
String inverters and micro-inverters are the two types of inverters. Checking your solar provider’s papers is the simplest approach to figure out which type of inverter you have. String inverters are distinguished by their size, which is substantially greater than micro-inverters. Try solar panels with a battery system.
Also Read – How to use Energy Independence with Solar Panels and Battery Systems in The Home.
4. Make Sure your Panels are not Dirty?
Solar panels do not need to be cleaned regularly. It is based on the weather conditions in your area; for example, if it rains, mother nature will clean your solar panels. However, if your panels are covered in bird droppings, leaves/vines, dust/dirt, and tree sap, it may be time to hose off your roof (from the ground, of course) or contact a panel maintenance firm to have them professionally cleaned with the appropriate safety equipment. Get top-of-the-class solar maintenance services in Fresno.
Also Read – How to Clean Rooftop Solar Panels – You Should Know!
5. Regularly check your system’s data
The information regarding a modern Solar Power System output from the inverter can be accessed in two ways: on the digital screen, if it has one, and through an online account linked to your inverter. The statistics and graphs available online are more thorough and easier to grasp and compare to the projected performance of your systems. They may provide you with kWh output on a monthly and annual basis.
6. Read Your Solar Meter
Your solar meter keeps track of your system’s output and reports it to your solar business. In most cases, your meter will cycle through various screens. You should pay special attention to the one that shows the total kilowatt-hours generated by your solar panels. Your solar panels should be good as long as your kilowatt-hours are increasing. If not, make sure to complete the preceding procedures before contacting a solar business.
Also Read – What Type of Electronic Meters Work With Solar Power Systems? Everything You Need To Know.
Wrapping up –
Solar panels come with good warranties, they do not require much maintenance and a casual checkup will be good to improve the efficiency of your panels. If in case you are facing any problems with your solar panel you should contact a Solar installer in California, to help you through.
