How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Solar Panel

Having solar panels in your dwelling house doesn't end with just installing them, you need to keep in mind that maintenance and repairs will come into play to ensure that your solar system continues working at its maximum efficiency. Though solar panels require very little maintenance, they should still be cleaned once or twice a year to prevent them from producing less electricity than it should.

The toll of maintaining solar panels ranges from $150 – $330 when done annually. This estimate is based on a 5kW solar system with 16 solar panels.

The price will all the same depend on the type and number of solar panels you take, its condition, and where its placed.

It depends if you lot are going to seek professional help or simply do it by yourself. Based on enquiry, you'll spend $150 to $330 to clean your solar panels with professional assistance. Also, studies found out that professional person cleaning of panels produces a college output of electricity than those cleaned past rain.

The full toll of maintenance still depends on a number of factors. Below are some factors that influence the cost of solar console maintenance:

The number of panels
Brand
Condition of the panels, whether they have whatsoever amercement that require repair
Where it's placed. If it's placed on a very loftier roof it volition toll more
Surrounding surround

Y'all can likewise check with your manufacturer for recommendations for cleaning your solar panels as they know their production better than anyone else and as well prevents you from voiding their warranty.

Solar panel cleaning prices

Solar panel cleaning prices also depend on many factors: how many your solar panels are, where the panels are placed, and how many kW your solar system has.

For a 2kW system with x solar panels, information technology will toll around $150 to $300. For higher kW and the number of solar panels, it will be more expensive and toll around $300 to $400. Some companies however charge cleaning per panel which costs around $3 to $10 each.

It is recommended that you take your solar panels cleaned bi-annually. If your panels are easy to reach, then cleaning it yourself wouldn't be a bad idea. Notwithstanding, if your panels are placed on a very high and steep roof, it's best if you contact a professional so you don't risk your safety.

How ofttimes and what should I apply to clean my panels?

You should clean and maintain your solar panels once or twice a yr. As suggested, there are specially made tools for cleaning panels. Though you lot can just use plain old soapy water, a soft brush, squeegee, garden hose, and a microfiber cleaning cloth to clean it, you can too buy a solar panel cleaning kit that contains all of the things in a higher place.

There'due south besides a solar panel brush, window washer, and solar panel cleaning solution available to buy which is a adept investment since you will no longer need a professional to do information technology. While cleaning them yourself might become a trivial bit dangerous, information technology pays to assess if you can actually do it yourself. Always remember that your safety should be your number one priority.

Hither are some useful steps on how to clean your solar panels if you decide to DIY:

⦁ Check the manufacturer'due south manual: This will aid yous know how to plough off your arrangement before cleaning. Recommendations are likewise written in detail in the transmission for cleaning your solar panels.

⦁ Option a cool day to make clean your panels: A cloudy day will exist a more than efficient day for cleaning since water won't evaporate fast and dirt won't glaze or stick to your panels which makes it harder to clean.

⦁ Turn your solar system off: This is the pace you shouldn't miss because cleaning while your system is on volition cause damage to it.

⦁ Bank check and inspect for cracks: Don't clean these cracks with water since it may hurt your system. Call a professional to inspect and deport repairs.

⦁Get all dirt and debris out: Clean off the leaves or any loose droppings before rinsing with water.

⦁ Make clean with soapy water or solar console cleaning solution: It's of import to note not to use chemical solutions in cleaning your solar panels since information technology will do more than harm than adept. Spray the panels and use a cloth or solar panel brush to clean information technology.

⦁ Rinse and dry: Rinse your panels with water and duster them dry. Don't forget to dry the edges!

⦁Monitor your solar system: Check whether the output increased afterwards cleaning. If it didn't, there might nevertheless be some residue and you may demand to call a professional to inspect information technology thoroughly. If information technology does, and then you did great!

⦁ Boosted tips: If your solar panels are obstructed with snow, don't clean it past yourself as suggested past experts. Sweeping the snow may cause permanent damage to your panels. Y'all can just wait for it to cook on its ain or invest in a proficient snow rake and accept actress precaution going up to your roof.

DIY cleaning vs hiring a professional

Others recommend that cleaning solar panels can be done by the owner, some do recommend that hiring a professional person is the best route.

DIY will incur less cost and you lot can use tools y'all already have at home. If your solar panels are on the ground, doing it yourself is a slap-up selection. As opposed to a professional, they actually invest in the best tools and safety gear to clean your solar panels. Also, they are not simply in that location to clean, just also inspect for cracks, peeling, and other things that can hinder your system from performing its best.

They tin can recommend repairs and replacements if necessary. Information technology volition also cause less stress and peace of mind on your role since a trained professional person will do it for y'all. Virtually importantly, hiring a professional person is for your own prophylactic.

Annual inspections and repairs

Almanac inspections and repairs are normally covered by your warranty aside from cleaning. In the event that your solar panels are non producing a specified level of your manufacturer's guarantee, repairs will be covered past warranty. Some companies will cover installation and maintenance repairs for x to 25 years depending on your warranty agreement. Labour warranties are also covered past this. As long equally y'all didn't practise anything to void your warranty, similar having another company aside from your manufacturer install your system or other warranty restrictions, yous will exist serviced past your manufacturer.

Here are typical costs of repair of your solar console:

Cracked panels volition have about $100 to $300
Broken glass volition accept about $20 plus labour and $350 for replacement
Loose wiring or connection will take about at least $100

These are but an estimation and volition ultimately be dependent on your manufacturer as they are factors to consider likewise for the repairs such as;

The make.
Flat or tilted panels.
Location of your panels – if your solar panels are located on the roof or in the ground. Solar panels that are on the roof volition most probable cost more.
The steepness of your roof – depends if your roof is harder to accomplish and navigate.
Quantity and size of your arrays – the more and bigger they need to clean, the higher it volition cost you.
Time since concluding clean – if you cleaned your solar panels ii or iii years ago, information technology will cost more than since more supplies and time will be needed to clean them.
Maintenance agreement – if you opt-in for a bundle for cleaning and maintenance when you purchased your solar system, the cost will exist less.

Replacements

A replacement will occur if your system falls in these circumstances:

After inspection, they are broken beyond repair.
They are physically damaged and tin't exist used even later replacing the parts.
Your panels don't produce the energy it should.
Natural calamities caused damage to your arrangement.

Upgrade costs

At that place are several upgrades you can add to your system that are worth looking into. Every bit time goes by, several improvements and enhancement take already been made to solar technologies. Here are a few:

⦁ Solar skin design – these will permit you to customize the await of your solar panels. The colour and appearance tin be fabricated to match the look of your roof to be aesthetically pleasing. These cost around 10 percent of the price of your entire system, they also accept warranties that concluding about 10 to 25 years.

⦁ Solar tracking ground mounts – the solar panels volition follow the sunlight to produce more than energy. Information technology tin can tilt and shift depending on where the dominicus is pointing at. This is an add-on and costs almost $14,000 to $22,000.

⦁ Sprinkler-based solar cleaners – these are installed almost your solar panels to exist programmed to clean your panels. Refilling and replacing water filters are the things you'll demand exercise to maintain them which requires little effort and time. These toll around $2260 for around l panels.

⦁ Cleaning robots – these robots tin can launder your solar panels every day without the use of water. They apply microfiber cloths to wipe off dust and dirt. 1 robot is equal to one solar panel and there's no demand to accuse them as they run using solar energy as well. Approximately, you'll need effectually a little less than 3 thou to purchase 10 or more sets of these cleaning robots.

In conclusion, solar panels are easy to maintain. Every bit long as y'all take a good warranty from your solar manufacturer, you will be fine. Cleaning and maintaining your solar system will assistance them function with high efficiency for many years to come. It volition make a huge difference as opposed to not cleaning them. The nigh important thing to remember is your safety. If your solar panels are on the roof and it'll be hard for you to reach them, please don't take a chance it. You might spend more if you current of air up in a hospital injured. Phone call and rent a professional to do it for you or install cleaning robots or sprinkler-based solar organisation if you are willing to spend extra depending on which ones are more than suited for you.

Author: Ben McInerney is a renewable energy enthusiast with the goal of helping more than Australians understand solar systems to make the best pick before they purchase. Having an accredited solar installer in the family helps give Ben admission to the correct information, which allows him to break it downward and make information technology easily understandable to the boilerplate homeowner.