Maintaining your solar panels is key to ensuring their efficiency and extending their lifespan. However, many people make mistakes that can actually harm the system’s performance or even damage it.
If you already have a solar energy system—or are thinking about installing one—pay attention to these common maintenance mistakes and learn how to avoid them to keep your system running at its best.
One of the most common mistakes is thinking that solar panels don’t need any maintenance. While they’re built to withstand various weather conditions, dust, leaves, bird droppings, and other debris can reduce efficiency by up to 25%.
✅ How to avoid it:
Set up a maintenance schedule based on your panel’s location:
🌦️ Areas with frequent rain: once a year.
🏙️ Urban areas with pollution: every 6 months.
🌵 Dry regions or areas with many birds: every 3–4 months.
If you notice a drop in energy production, your panels might need cleaning sooner than expected.
Cleaning panels with abrasive products or rough tools can scratch the glass surface and reduce light absorption. Harsh detergents can damage the protective coating, shortening your system’s lifespan.
✅ How to avoid it: You can do a light cleaning using water and a microfiber cloth, but the safest and most effective option is to hire a professional. Expert service ensures safe cleaning, checks the system’s components, and optimizes performance.
Solar panel maintenance isn’t just about keeping them clean. It’s also critical to inspect cables and electrical connections. Faulty wiring can reduce your system’s efficiency or even pose a fire risk.
✅ How to avoid it: Do regular visual inspections, and at least once a year, schedule a checkup with a qualified technician. They’ll inspect the wiring, inverters, and overall system optimization.
While you can handle basic tasks like removing leaves or rinsing panels, more technical aspects—like checking connections, batteries, or inverters—should be left to professionals. Doing it yourself without proper experience could damage your system or void the warranty.
✅ How to avoid it: Schedule at least one professional maintenance service per year. A trained team can detect issues early, prevent costly repairs, and ensure your solar system runs at peak performance.