When it comes to commercial-scale solar power systems above 30kW, the importance of maintenance is no longer negligible. If you don’t maintain your system properly it can lead to lower solar energy production and fewer energy savings, while potentially becoming a safety hazard.
The panels themselves are extremely reliable and their lifespan is designed to last up to 30 years as they consist of no moving parts and thus require little servicing and maintenance. However, depending on your location and weather patterns, they may need cleaning every year or two as dust, debris, and bird droppings can accumulate over time which can lower the system’s performance.
Moderate soiling that results when panels are not cleaned regularly has a range of 2% to 25% depending on the region. For most coastal regions in Australia, the typical soiling loss is ~5% and rainfall frequencies contribute a major factor to the loss variation.
As seen in the table above, we have considered annual loss calculations ranging from $547.50 for a 30kW system to up to $18,250.00 for a 1MW system. A loss factor of 5% is used for these calculations as it accounts for soiling factors including dust, pollution, bird droppings, grease, and similar shading issues. The average cost values are based on a retail cost of electricity of $0.25/kWh.
The majority of the maintenance work goes to the other core components and balance of system, which includes components such as the inverters, cables, fittings, and protection devices. Any faults or defects in these components might lead to system failures and sometimes present risk factors. Therefore, regular servicing, maintenance, and equipment replacements have to be done by accredited solar electricians are essential to keep your system up and running efficiently and safely to continue to generate savings for you in decades to come.
Here I listed some key items that are generally involved in regular maintenance:
● Solar panel inspection and cleaning
● Check for any deterioration or corrosion
● Vents are clear of debris
● Switches are free of defects
● Cables are not damaged or deteriorated
● Electrical check on all operating parts
● Fittings are safe and secure
● Ensuring the protection devices are easily accessible
● The emergency procedures for shutdown and isolation are clearly displayed
In order to make sure your system is working well and avoid costly system failures and excessive maintenance costs that eat away at your savings, you can minimise the risk by following below steps:
Have an engineering analysis report done prior to installation, so you have the best panel placement, correct system wiring blueprint, and estimated energy production.
Have photo evidence of installation details to ensure it’s done right from the start. Make sure those photos are provided to you at the end of the installation – this also is required if you have an insurance claim on your building so that your panels will be included in the damages the insurance provider will cover.
Have an online system monitoring that tells you exactly what’s happening and alerts you if there are any issues with your system production.
By doing these things, you can reduce the amount of maintenance needed and avoid the majority of maintenance costs.
Alternatively, you can select a fully covered plan like the Lease to Own or a Power Purchase Agreement plan where you only pay when the system is working as it should, and the plan provider is responsible for monitoring and maintaining your system as required to keep it performing at or above expectations.
In short, it is crucially important to choose a solar installer that includes maintenance of the system as part of the whole package, this not only provides the businesses peace of mind but also shows their confidence in the quality of the installation.
Conveniently, I can help you with Lease or PPA offers. Contact us to get in touch.