Welcome to my blog. My name is Betty, and I recently invested in a new heating and cooling system. It had been years since I had purchased our old system, and my husband was alive then. This was the first time selecting my own system. I did a lot of research and even considered taking our HVAC system off the grid. Now, that my house is the perfect temperature all the time, I'm ready to try something else -- so I decided to start a blog. Here, I am going to post a range of blogs on HVAC related issues as well as home repairs and other topics. I hope that you like it.
Due to rising energy bills and excessive carbon emissions, the popularity of solar panels is increasing. The most recent models to hit the market – both polycrystallie and monocrystalline designs – are expected to last between 30 and 40 years. Most solar panel warranties are valid for 20-25 years and will guarantee that the performance will not drop below 80%. To make sure your solar panels withstand the test of time, follow these cleaning tips.
Clean The Surface
Fortunately, solar panels do not have moving parts, which makes cleaning a lot easier! That said, they are extremely fragile. Scratches and blemishes will hinder their performance and reduce their efficiency. Before you begin, check the manufacturer guidelines for warnings about particularly fragile parts.
Solar panels can get very hot, so either clean them in the morning/evening or pick a cool, cloudy day. Start by sweeping off leaves and any other large obstructions. Use a garden hose to spray the surface and remove any dust or debris that has accumulated. If they are particularly grimy, fill up a bucket with warm water and wipe them off with a sponge. Don't use soap, otherwise you could leave a waxy residue behind. Never touch the wiring underneath.
According to Energy Informative, solar panels can lose 15-25% of their efficiency when dirty. While this loss may not seem too excessive, over time you will miss out on substantial savings. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your solar panels once or twice per year. If you live in an area that's susceptible to rainfall, however, dirt will accumulate faster; therefore, you will have to clean your solar panels more frequently. Also take other, local interference into account, such as pollution from nearby factories and leaves from the forest.
Monitor Their Energy Output
Monitor the efficiency of your solar panels by measuring their energy output before and after cleaning. This way you will know when they aren't performing as well as they could – remember to cross reference your results with the weather to ensure you're making an accurate assessment. When your solar panels malfunction or reach the end of their lifespan, recycle the materials to enhance their environmental value – most are made using glass and aluminium, both of which are recyclable materials.
Cleaning solar panels may sound easy, but it can be very dangerous. If yours are installed on your roof and you don't have the right safety equipment for the job, don't take any chances, hire a professional.
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