Are your caravan, trailer, 4x4 or even camping solar panels not working as efficiently as normal? It could be time for some solar panel maintenance.
Caravan solar panel maintenance is essential for your panels to work at their most efficient. Think about all the dust, tree sap and bird droppings that drop onto your solar panels as you're travelling. The more stuff that covers your panels, the less efficient they will be.
Why?
Because the sunlight won't be able to get through easily.
Now for the good news.
Solar panel maintenance is incredibly fast and easy. It comes down to regular cleaning. You don't need any special tools, which means you can keep your panels working at their best while you're on the road.
The best time to clean your panels is in the early morning or evening, as they can get very hot during the day (and you'll get hot in the process!)
What You Need:
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Hose
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Ladder (not required if you are cleaning a portable solar panel or solar blanket)
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Sponge, soft mop or squeegee
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Bucket
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Water
Solar Panel Maintenance Steps:
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Hose down your solar panels.
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Use a sponge, mop or squeegee to clean the panels with water. This will remove anything from the surface of the panels.
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Hose them down again to remove any soap residue.
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Check underneath the solar panels, removing any leaves or debris that might block the airflow.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Solar Panels?
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There's no golden rule. The best thing to do is keep an eye on them. Say you're travelling on the legendary Oodnadatta Track, you'll need to give them a good clean afterwards.
Keep in mind that a solar panel system that's tilted will get some natural benefit from rain showers, while a flat system will need to be cleaned more often.
Cleaning Tips:
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Before cleaning the solar panel or blanket, please make sure your solar system is cool.
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Check the product manual for cleaning tips as some panels allow for soapy water to be used during cleaning, while others do not.
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Do not use sharp or hard objects for cleaning as these may damage the product. For your panel to work as efficiently as possible you want to prevent scratches on the surface of the solar panel or blanket.
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Do not use high pressure to clean the solar panel as it can damage the cells of the panel.
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If you have a solar blanket, cleaning the surface after every use will help maintain the cells efficiency for longer.
Here's One Final Bonus Solar Panel Maintenance Tip:
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Replace parts of your solar panel system as often as necessary, or when the owner's manual instructs. Even if the system is only slightly damaged, it could seriously affect the efficiency, not to mention costing you more in the long run. If you need help choosing a new solar panel system check out our solar panel calculator here!
Need more advice on maintaining your solar panels? Get in touch!
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
