Are you getting the most out of your solar panels?
Over the last 15 years, solar PV systems have become an increasingly popular solution for UK homeowners who want a sustainable and reliable way to save money on their energy bills.
Although solar panel installation costs have gradually reduced over the years, we understand how important it is to get the most out of this investment, so how can homeowners ensure their panels are working as efficiently as possible?
What can go wrong with solar panels?
Solar panels are well known for being a reliable and low-maintenance energy solution, with a 25-30 year lifespan, so often people assume they don’t need to make regular checks on their system once it’s been installed. However, like with all electrical systems, the best way to ensure everything is running as efficiently as possible is to receive regular system check-ups to avoid any reduction in energy production.
The most common issues that can impact the output of solar PV systems are:
- Dirt build-up on the solar panels
- Damage caused by wildlife or birds nesting under the panels
- Malfunctioning inverters
- Faulty connections and wiring
- Panel damage caused by extreme weather conditions
Homeowners with older solar PV systems can also often run into additional issues if their inverters show fault messages because the company who installed their panels initially may have stopped trading, leaving them unsure who to contact to fix their system. This is why at Solar Select, we carry out maintenance and repairs on solar PV systems of any age or make.
How can you check your solar PV system is working efficiently?
We always recommend regular maintenance checks, to ensure everything is running smoothly and prevent problems from arising before they significantly impact performance.
There are a few signs to look out for that can indicate the system isn’t working at maximum efficiency, the most common include:
- Reduction in FiT payments
- The generation meter is not working
- The Inverter display shows an error message
- The circuit breaker for your solar panels has tripped
Another great way to improve the efficiency of solar PV systems is to install a solar PV bird guard. These guards are designed to prevent birds and small mammals from accessing the areas beneath solar panels, which can cause debris accumulation, blockages, damaged cables or even scratching or soiling of the solar panel surfaces. By keeping birds and other animals out, the bird guard preserves the efficiency and longevity of the solar installation.
Solar maintenance and care plans – Choose the package that’s right for you
Our cost-effective solar maintenance and care plans are here to help you maximise your solar energy. Both plans include an annual system health check and ongoing technical support to ensure your systems are always running smoothly. Our plans cover your system for a minimum of 3 years, and we also offer monthly or yearly payment options to help you spread the costs.
Premium Plan
- Annual system health check
- Ongoing technical support (during office hours)
- Replace equipment covered by manufacturer’s warranty
- Easy payment plans to spread the cost
- Remote online monitoring access
- Full Performance Analysis
- Panel inspection and condition report using drone technology
- Re-pairing Monitoring system
- Breakdown and call out cover
- Includes battery systems up to 20kW
£299 per Year / £27 per Month
Classic Plan
- Annual system health check
- Ongoing technical support (during office hours)
- Replace equipment covered by manufacturer’s warranty
- Easy payment plans to spread the cost
£249 per Year / £23.50 per Month
What’s included in a system health check?
Our comprehensive annual system health check is designed to provide our customers with full peace of mind that they are getting the most out of their solar PV system. Our health check includes:
- Visual inspection of all AC/DC electrical components and switches
- Visual inspection of panels, mounting system and roof using a drone to determine condition and check for damage, evidence of bird nests
- Thorough checks on all connections in electrical accessories
- Function test on all isolators and switches
- Interrogate inverter log for any previous error messages
- Check inverter connectivity and visibility on the monitoring platform (for inverters with monitoring capability)
- Complete electrical test of strings for correct voltages and current
- Advise if panels require cleaning (and provide a quotation if needed)
- Full service report and photos
Are you ready to get more out of your panels?
Call our office to get started on 01905 349813 or email our team at service@solarselect.net
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