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What causes your solar panels to lack efficiency?
Purchasing solar panels is a big investment for most households, but without maintaining them to ensure their efficiency, the investment is pointless. There are a few things to look out for if you notice the efficiency of your panels dropping slightly. Quality solar panels should last several decades, so if you notice significant drops in their efficiency, there could be something wrong.
Firstly, it’s important to know what to look out for and how to address the issue before it worsens. Usually, you will find the issue at hand is a fairly easy fix, however, sometimes that’s not the case so spotting it early is key.
Dirt and Debris Build-up
Solar panels remain outside, which means they are continually subjected to various types of dust and debris. Long-term exposure leads to a build-up of dirt on the panel’s surface. The accumulated dirt prevents sunlight from reaching the panel’s top layer not allowing them to do their job properly.
You must clean the solar panel’s surface of the debris in order to address this problem. In order to prevent any additional issues, use caution when cleaning the panel’s surface. If this is something you can’t confidently and safely do yourself, reach out to a professional to complete the job. Your solar system will resume functioning normally once the panel is exposed to sunlight again, therefore generating energy.
It’s good to note that every year, it’s typical for solar panels to lose 0.5% to 0.8% of their efficiency. Therefore, if you notice this tiny decline in the effectiveness of your solar panels, it is totally normal. It is only when you begin to see significant drops in the energy they are producing, that you might have to evaluate the cause of the problem, i.e., a build-up of dirt and debris.
Broken Panels or Micro-Cracks
Your solar system’s performance and efficiency can be affected by micro-cracks. Micro-cracks frequently have an impact on how much electricity is generated, however, it is challenging to identify them due to how tiny they are. Larger cracks are just as responsible and are also a frequent cause of a solar panels not functioning. The cracks widen as time passes and as weather conditions fluctuate. Seasonal changes, and heat conditions can all cause cracks.
Your system can malfunction due to a broken panel. Without a functioning solar panel, it is impossible to capture solar energy and turn it into electrical power. Since the part of your solar panel system that produces the electricity is already damaged, it essentially becomes useless. Your only choice may be to change and get a new solar panel because it is very difficult to repair a damaged solar panel.
Inverter Issues
If the inverter is broken, it is unable to change the direct current to alternating current. Only supplying direct current to your home is useless. Direct Current, which the solar panel collects from the sun, cannot be used inside the house. The inverter is essential to convert the direct current to alternating current.
In unfortunate situations, you might need to purchase a new inverter to get your system back to what it was. Inverters can be less durable than solar panels, therefore, you must handle this equipment with care.
There are a number of potential causes for your solar system’s malfunction. To locate a fix or address the problem, you must understand why the system isn’t functioning correctly. Inverter issues, dirt, and debris are a few possible causes of your solar panel’s poor condition. Micro-cracks, seasonal weather changes and poor installation work are other causes of solar panel malfunction.
If you need help with your solar system, please get in touch with us. Allow us to evaluate your solar efficiency issues and fix the problems causing your panels to perform poorly. Fixing your solar panel system right away allows your home or business to take advantage of a constant supply of electricity, saving you money on your energy bills.