Solar

Renewable
Energy

Ontario
Residents

Site Info

Subscribe To This Site

Solar Panel Problems

Solar Panel Repair & Maintenance Issues

Just in case solar panel problems and concerns about solar panel repair are holding you back from installing solar power, you can breathe a big sigh of relief. The best quality home solar panels are remarkably repair and maintenance free.

Most home solar panel arrays consist of solar cells that are encapsulated in thick glass and mounted onto sturdy metal frames. Once the panels are properly installed, they require minimal maintenance since there are no moving parts to wear. Yet, there are some things to consider.

Roof Related Solar Panel Problems

Before your solar panels are installed, the installer needs to make sure that the roof itself can support the weight of the solar panel arrays. Once that is determined and the panels are properly attached to the roof they should remain solidly in place. A regular solar panel maintenance inspection should ensure this.

In the unfortunate event of a hurricane or tornado, roof mounted solar panels should weather the storm and remain attached to your roof provided the roof itself remains.

Weather Related Solar Panel Problems

It's likely that weather will be your biggest concern, especially if your panels are mounted onto the roof. Of course, this might depend on where you live and the kinds of weather you typically receive. For instance, if you live in an area of the country that experiences extreme weather conditions, you might be wondering if solar panels for your home are practical.

Storms involving heavy rain, hail, snow and ice take their toll on regular roofs every year, and some areas experience more than their share of tornados and hurricanes. Solar panels can surprisingly withstand severe weather conditions quite well.

But, you need to make sure that the panels you install are manufactured with a high-impact tempered glass. The best quality panels are made with glass that can withstand 60 miles-per-hour storms dropping 3/4-inch hailstones. They will typically withstand weather conditions that are similar to what your roofing material tolerates.

Problems With Wind, Dust, Leaves
If you live in an area that receives wind and dust storms, or in an urban area where there is lots of dirt and smog in the air, you might occasionally need to clean the surface of the solar panels with soapy water occasionally to maximize their electrical output. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

©iStockphoto.com/vitovt

However, in smog-free, rural areas, frequent rains should be enough to keep your solar panels clean so they can function to proper efficiency.

If your yard contains an abundance of deciduous trees that shed their leaves every fall, you might need to prevent the leaves from covering your solar panels and prevent the sunlight from reaching them. Even some evergreens routinely shed their needles. A swipe with a broom should do the trick as a routine solar panel maintenance procedure.

Problems With Snow
Thankfully, solar panels operate on sunlight not temperature, so they can operate just as efficiently in winter as in summer. However, with winter's shorter daylight hours, they will produce proportionately less power than in the summer months.

In northern climates like Canada's, snow can cover the solar panels and block them from receiving the optimum amount of sunlight and thereby reduce the electricity they can produce. It might be necessary to remove the snow from the surface of the solar panels to restore their full efficiency. The solar panels themselves, however, won't be damaged by a heavy snowfall.

A bigger concern would be that the roof itself might be unable to withstand the weight of a heavy, wet snowfall. In such cases, shovelling the roof may be necessary along with removing the snow buildup from the solar panels.

A light snowfall is a different matter. The heat retained by the solar panels is usually enough to melt off a light covering of snow or ice and help keep them clean.

Problems With Cloud Cover
Today's solar panels produce electricity well even on cloudy days. On an overcast, rainy day, there is still enough diffuse sunlight by which the solar panel will produce electricity. However, be mindful that solar cells require bright and sunny weather to work at their optimum efficiency.

Grid Tied System Solar Panel Problems

If you have a grid tied system, you will have an inverter as part of your solar power system. The inverter converts the DC current generated by your solar panels into AC current that your household appliances can use. Though it contains no moving parts, the inverter is an important component and should be inspected regularly. Check that the connections are clean and dry.

Off Grid System Solar Panel Problems

If you have an off grid system, it will include a bank of storage batteries and possibly a backup generator. These components will require monitoring and maintenance. Regular inspections of your solar power system are recommended to ensure the entire system is running properly and at its optimum efficiently.

Finally, House Insurance Concerns

Be sure to check your homeowner's insurance policy to make sure your solar installation is properly insured against damage and loss, preferably at replacement cost. Carefully read the fine print of your homeowner's policy and consult with your insurance agent to be sure.

Many insurance policies cover solar panel systems along with the rest of the house, but some do not, so you might have to add the extra coverage to your policy. As well, a solar power system can significantly add to the insured value of your home, so you might need to increase your coverage and premium rates.

Hopefully, these comments on solar panel problems will help you choose to install solar power for your home.

TOP of Solar Panel Problems
RETURN to Home Solar Panels
HOME to Solar Power Systems

Welcome To My Website

My name is Don, and my goal with this site is to introduce solar power as the best available option for alternative, renewable energy.

The solar information on this site is freely given to assist you in your journey to an affordable green energy future.

Solar Power Ontario

Heiko Liebethal, CEO, Flagstone Solar Power, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Heiko Liebethal, Flagstone CEO

If you live in Ontario, Canada, and qualify for the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) microFIT program, you could sell all the electrical power that your solar panels produce back to the OPA, and they will pay you up to 54.9 cents per kWh. Guaranteed.

Arrange for your FREE Solar Site Evaluation today. Don't miss out!

Flagstone Solar Power Peterborough, Ontario

Resources

FREE Solar Panel Calculator