One of the great advantages of solar panels is that they are almost no work: they have no moving parts and they last for many years. But "almost" isn't "none", and a few basic habits make the difference between them performing at their best and you losing energy without noticing. Here's the maintenance they need, which is simple enough.
Cleaning: the most important part
Dust, sand, bird droppings, sap or built-up dirt reduce the output of the panels, sometimes considerably. The good news is that rain helps clean them, but it's worth checking and cleaning them from time to time:
- With water and a soft cloth or brush; avoid abrasive products that scratch.
- Better first or last thing, with the panel cool (not in full sun and hot).
- Take care getting onto the roof: use safe means and only tread where the roof is designed to be walked on.
- Watch out for shade: a single shadow (an aerial, a roof light, a branch) can penalise you a great deal; when you park, look for sun on the panel.
Checking connections and the controller
- Check the cables and connections from the panel to the controller: no slack, no corrosion, no chafing.
- Check the sealing of the brackets bonded to the roof (they are a point where water could get in; see leaks).
- Keep an eye on the controller: if it's an MPPT it usually shows what the panels are generating; a periodic glance tells you whether all is well (see MPPT controller).
Make the most of it with a good battery
There's little point generating energy if you don't make use of it. A lithium battery (LiFePO4) accepts more charging current and makes better use of peaks of sun than a lead-acid one, as well as having more usable capacity to store what you generate in the middle hours of the day. Panels and lithium complement each other (see solar panels).
In short
Solar panels are very little work, but periodic cleaning, avoiding shade and checking connections and seals keep their output at its best for years. The step you can take today: check and clean your panels if you haven't done so in a while (you'll be surprised how dirty they get), and when you park, try to keep them in sun without shade; you'll gain free energy. Combine it with the runtime calculator.