The worldwide usage of photovoltaic solar arrays has increased exponentially over the last 30 years, evolving from a niche energy source to a mainstream choice for residential and commercial consumers. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar has continued to be the largest contributor to new energy capacity, representing almost 65% of new capacity in the U.S. in 20241. With the recent inclusion of governmental benefits, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 2, solar energy has become a more affordable, cost-effective investment for energy generation and savings; however, similar to other major investments, solar projects benefit from proper care and attention. Solar energy projects tend to focus on installation and initial solar system performance and production, without considering post-installation service and maintenance. While solar panels are designed to last more than 25 years, with a degradation rate of 0.6-1% annually, a lack of regular maintenance can accelerate that degradation process, providing less efficiency and power loss.
While solar panels are known for their durability and low-maintenance nature, a thorough solar maintenance plan can significantly enhance performance and protect your investment over the long run. The following are the top five benefits of implementing a solar maintenance plan for your project.
- Peak Energy Efficiency: Regular preventative maintenance helps to identify and address potential problems early on, such as wiring issues, degraded panels, or faulty inverters. By catching these issues before they worsen, the system’s components are less likely to experience premature failure, extending the overall lifespan of the array.
- Reduced System Downtime: By preventing significant issues before they occur, preventative maintenance reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns that could lead to system downtime. Continuous operation ensures maximum energy production, resulting in better returns on investment.
- Increased System Lifetime: Routine maintenance extends the lifespan of a solar array, as well as increases system production. Regular inspections, along with routine cleaning of panels, reduces the wear on the system, ensures all components are functioning properly, and allows for early detection of potential failures or system issues. Avoiding costly repairs not only enhances the performance of the panels but also supports more efficient energy generation.
- Cost Savings & Maximum ROI: Preventative maintenance often leads to lower long-term costs by avoiding extensive, unexpected repairs or component replacements. It’s typically more cost-effective to perform routine maintenance and address minor issues early than to fix major problems that arise from neglect.
- Real-Time Performance & System Monitoring: Incorporating solar monitoring software into an installation is a highly beneficial tool for optimizing energy production and minimizing costs as part of your solar maintenance plan. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) studies suggest that regular monitoring of solar systems, particularly advanced monitoring systems that integrate with machine learning or smart inverters, can improve efficiency by up to 20%. Utilizing these advanced systems will provide clear, real-time data, remote access and control, and leading-edge monitoring technologies to optimize and extend the lifespan of the system, as well as maximize energy output.
In order to achieve the highest ROI and receive the maximum benefits of a solar energy installation, it is essential to prioritize routine maintenance and incorporate monitoring technology to ensure peak performance and production at all times.
To learn more about Veregy and our solar solutions, please visit https://veregy.com/distributed-renewable-energy/.
1 SEIA – Solar Industry Research Data
2 IRS – Internal Revenue Service
https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions-under-the-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022