7 Tips to Keep Your Commercial Solar Operating at Peak Efficiency

There’s a common misconception that solar panels are fragile and require lots of maintenance - they are made from glass, after all. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Modern solar panels have come a long way in almost every respect, from performance to durability and longevity. Today, most brands offer warranties in the 10-15 year range, with some manufacturers offering warranties up to 25 years.  

But while today’s commercial solar panels are unquestionably durable and long-lasting, there are still some factors that can affect performance. Taking preventative measures can help ensure your solar energy system is always operating its best and generating the maximum amount of electricity for your business. 

In this article, we’ll share seven essential maintenance tips that can help keep your commercial solar energy system operating at peak efficiency for years to come.

1. Clean solar panels regularly

Solar panels need unobstructed access to sunlight to generate the maximum amount of electricity. But being outdoors means that dust, debris, and bird droppings can accumulate over time and reduce the amount of sun that makes its way to the panels. This can affect solar panel efficiency, which means less energy to power your business and fewer savings on electricity bills. 

Having your solar panels professionally cleaned can help reduce the impact of buildup and allow your panels to soak up the maximum amount of sunlight. If your company has an in-house facilities department and water access near your solar system, you can routinely rinse the panels with a water hose to improve performance and extend the time between professional cleanings. Whatever you do, don’t use a pressure washer to clean your solar panels and be sure to use appropriate height safety equipment if you plan on going on the roof, and if it feels too risky, call in the professionals.             

2. Install wildlife guards

We love our local animals, but they can be pesky when it comes to solar panels. Pigeons and rodents are drawn to the shade of solar panels and are known to burrow and nest underneath. It sounds cute, but what’s not cute is having debris build up under the panels that will impact drainage, or droppings all over your solar panels that can impede electrical production. The best thing to do to prevent a maintenance nightmare and potential hazards is to install wildlife guards to ward off pest-related issues before they become a problem. 

There are a few ways you can bird or rodent proof your solar panels, including: 

• Bird mesh: This is a stainless steel mesh installed around the perimeter of your solar panels, acting as a barrier that prevents birds and rodents from accessing the space beneath your solar panels. 
• Anti-roosting spikes: These are a humane option that discourages birds from landing on or around your solar panels. 
• Solar panel skirts: Like bird mesh, solar panel skirts are installed around the edges of your solar panels to prevent rodents and birds from accessing the space underneath. 
• Ultrasonic devices: These innovative devices emit high-frequency soundwaves that are displeasing to birds but cannot be heard by humans. 

Similar Reading: How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

3. Trim nearby trees to avoid shading

Living in the Arizona desert means we all appreciate a shaded parking space when the weather gets toasty. But growing trees and bushes can cast a shadow over your solar panels and negatively impact their production when left unattended. 

As we mentioned earlier, solar panels require unobstructed, direct sunlight to generate electricity at maximum efficiency. Depending on the type of solar system you have, one shaded solar cell can weaken the entire chain and significantly reduce the electrical output of your entire array. To keep your solar panels operating at peak efficiency, it’s important to keep them clear of shade. 

Keep an eye on surrounding vegetation and trim branches regularly to maximize sunlight exposure and ensure your system continues functioning to its full potential. It also helps to check the shade levels throughout the day and during different seasons to ensure your panels are basking in full sunlight for as much of the day as possible. 

4. Inspect wiring and connection points

The Sonoran Desert delivers an abundance of energy-rich sunlight that makes going solar a no-brainer for most Arizona companies - but it’s also one of the harshest environments in North America. While solar panel manufacturers have built solar panels with durability and weather-resistance in mind, exposure to the harsh desert elements can sometimes require a little extra maintenance. 

Commercial solar energy systems are made up of thousands of critical connection points, from the inverter(s) to the solar panels on your roof or parking structures. As the years go by, these connection points can sometimes come loose. It’s an easy fix, however: all it takes is a yearly wiring inspection to identify and fix any potential issues long before they start hindering your system’s performance. 

5. Inspect inverters regularly

Inverters are a crucial element of your solar energy system, converting the direct current (DC) generated by the panels into alternating current (AC) used to power your business. Like other parts of a solar power system, inverters are designed to withstand the maximum temperature changes of the Arizona climate, but they should be inspected regularly and kept free of debris. 

See More: Everything You Need To Know About Solar Inverters

6. Use monitoring tools to track performance

Regularly monitoring the performance of your solar panels allows you to spot any unexpected dips in power output and address them before they become worse. Most modern solar power systems come with monitoring options that allow you to track the performance and efficiency of your panels in real-time. 

Features of monitoring tools include: 

• Real-time performance monitoring: Track the power output of your solar panels in real-time to ensure they’re operating at maximum efficiency. 
• Early detection: Be alerted when any anomalies or performance dips are detected so you can take proactive measures. 
• Optimize energy use: Identify trends and patterns in energy production to understand how different conditions affect your solar panel’s performance and adjust usage patterns accordingly.  

7. Get a professional in for an annual inspection

Even if you can’t identify any potential issues or performance dips, it’s essential to have your commercial solar panel system inspected by a professional at least once a year. Regular professional inspections can ensure all components are functioning properly and spot issues that aren’t immediately visible to the untrained eye. 

At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we offer an Operations & Maintenance Service to all our commercial solar clients. Our customizable solutions include annual inspections to keep your renewable energy investment operating at peak efficiency for decades. We always build our O&M packages with your specific facility needs in mind, but common offerings include:  

• Preventative PV system maintenance
• Investigating & recommending solutions for underperformance
• Troubleshooting inverters
• Accelerated field response
• O&M Warranty Administration
• Infrared tools for diagnosing issues
• Corrective 3rd party repairs and inspections
• Replacing modules
• Any repairs & replacements where needed.

As well as annual inspections, it’s helpful to keep an eye on your solar panels to ensure they’re clean and free of debris, cracks, or any physical damage. If your solar panels are accessible, you can also take a look to ensure wiring is intact and there are no signs of rodent or bird infestation. If any issues or anomalies are identified, we strongly recommend against trying to perform maintenance or repairs on your own. This is not only dangerous but can void your warranty. 

Get in touch with the Sun Valley Solar Solutions team and we’ll send a professional to conduct a thorough inspection and take any necessary corrective actions. 

What can affect the efficiency of solar panels?

As well as knowing how to keep your commercial solar operating at peak efficiency, it’s also helpful to know the various factors that can affect solar panel output. These include:

• Shade: Any obstruction, be it from trees, buildings, or other structures, that casts a shadow on your solar panels can reduce their efficiency. If shading can’t be avoided, microinverters can help maintain the overall efficiency of your solar panels even if some solar cells are shaded.

• Dust, dirt, debris & droppings: The four Ds, dust, dirt, debris, and droppings can all accumulate on the surface of your solar panels and block sunlight. This essentially has the same effect as shading when it comes to decreasing energy production. 

• Weather conditions: It goes without saying that weather conditions can impact solar panel performance. You’ll generate the most electricity on bright, sunny days, and you’ll likely find efficiency reduced on cloudy days. 

• Angle & orientation: The tilt angle and orientation of your solar array relative to the sun’s position can affect how much sunlight they receive. Working with a reputable solar installer will ensure your panels are placed in the optimum position for maximum sunlight exposure and peak efficiency. 

• Quality of solar panels: Different solar panels have different efficiency ratings depending on their materials. For example, thin-film solar panels tend to have slightly lower efficiency than polycrystalline panels, but this isn’t always the case. 
• Solar panel age: A solar panel’s efficiency will naturally reduce over time, at a rate of roughly 0.5% each year. This means that after 20 years of use, your solar panel will be generating around 90% of the electricity it produced on day one. Which is not bad, when it comes to technology these days! 

Continue Reading: Are Solar Panels Worth It? A Complete Guide To Help You Decide

Summary: 7 tips to keep your commercial solar operating at peak efficiency

Maintaining the efficiency of your commercial solar system is essential to maximize your investment and continue generating a consistent, reliable source of energy. By following the seven preventative measures in this article, you’ll help mitigate the degradation of your system and ensure it continues operating at peak efficiency for years to come. 

If it’s been a while since your last commercial solar system inspection, this is your sign to get a solar checkup today. Contact us for a free service quote or to schedule an appointment with one of our commercial service providers.

And if you’re considering the switch to solar for your business, we’re ready to help you start harnessing this clean, abundant energy source. As the largest Arizona-based commercial solar installer, the team at Sun Valley Solar Solutions has helped some of the world’s most recognized organizations go solar, and we have decades of experience installing virtually every type of commercial PV system. 

Each commercial system we install is custom-engineered to meet the specific needs of each business. We take the time to carefully evaluate your company’s unique energy footprint and provide a list of options that meet your energy savings goals. It all starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. Get in touch with us to book your free consultation today.