Investing in solar panels is one of the most effective eco-conscious decisions you can make for your home or business.

Home solar panel systems typically require little maintenance, which allows you to reap their rewards for at least two decades before potential replacement. However, taking minor steps can ensure they continue to run as smoothly as when you first purchased them.

Here are a few tips on how to maintain your solar panel system.

GROUND-MOUNTED PANELS AND ROOF-MOUNTED PANELS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

We’re sure you can spot the clearest difference!

Ground-mounted panels are solar panels stationed on the ground, and roof-mounted panels are on a roof. But how do their maintenance needs differ?

The main difference is that ground-mounted solar panels are much easier to access and clean.

It’s safer and more efficient to sweep snow and debris from ground-mounted panels than from roof-mounted panels. This is true throughout seasons (say, with wintery ice) and after storms. It’s also easier to spot when you need to remove something and safer to do cleaning work on the ground than atop your home or business.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN SOLAR PANELS?

Never allow anyone other than an authorized SunPower dealer to complete maintenance on your solar panel system without first contacting Freedom Solar or SunPower directly. You can find this requirement’s details in your warranty information.

Solar panel maintenance isn’t complex. However, panels do require periodic cleaning to remove dirt and debris from certain weather conditions, such as storms or particularly windy days.

Some U.S. regions are more prone to regular snowfall. In these areas, keeping packed snow off your solar panel system is essential to getting the most power out of them.

HOW OFTEN DO SOLAR PANELS NEED MAINTENANCE?

On average, you should conduct solar panel maintenance and/or cleaning four times per year. When you start seeing significant dirt, debris or snow buildup, it’s time to clean.

Freedom Solar can provide you with this service. Plus, we’ll take the worry out of having to purchase the correct equipment, climb on the roof and take time from your busy schedule.

HOW MUCH DOES SOLAR PANEL MAINTENANCE COST?

Solar panel maintenance is essential to maintaining the efficiency of the panel that maintains your energy production numbers. Overall, solar panel maintenance costs depend on the size of your system, the location and the amount of debris present.

Reach out to Freedom Solar’s Service Department for a quote. We can provide you with exact costs based on your unique needs.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Freedom Solar’s solar panel systems are designed and built to be highly durable. They can withstand any form of weather, including harsh wind and rain, heavy snowfall, hail, tornadoes and even hurricanes.

However, if hail is 1 inch in diameter and falls at speeds of at least 54 mph, damage can occur. If you’re concerned that a strong hailstorm may have damaged your solar panels or that you have to repair or replace your roof, our solar panel maintenance and repair department is happy to assist you.

DO SOLAR PANELS NEED TO BE SERVICED? HERE’S OUR WARRANTY POLICY

At Freedom Solar, we offer a lifetime warranty spanning 25 years.

In the rare case that a product doesn’t perform to the Freedom Solar standard, we’ll cover 100% of your repair or replacement costs. These costs include labor from our in-house service staff of licensed electricians and NABCEP-certified installation crews, as well as shipping costs for any equipment or panels your system needs.

Generally, you need to replace only one in every 25,000 solar panel systems. In other words, if you’re considering purchasing, rest assured that our units are built to last.

WHEN AND HOW TO REPLACE YOUR SOLAR PANELS

You should need to replace your residential solar panel system or commercial solar panel system only every 25 years — that’s a quarter-century! If you need to replace an older solar panel system from a different vendor or want a brand-new system, please reach out to our qualified and expert energy consultants today.