Short on Time? Here’s The Article Summary

The article discusses the financial and environmental benefits of switching to solar energy for home use. It emphasizes the importance of maintenance and occasional repairs to ensure the system functions optimally. Solar panels can be damaged by environmental factors like hail and snow, requiring repairs that can cost between $120 to $450 for broken glass. Faulty connections and loose wiring are common issues that can reduce energy output but can be fixed for about $100 for labor charges.

Regular cleaning and monitoring are recommended, with annual inspections by professionals to maintain peak performance. Solar panels come with warranties lasting 15 to 25 years, but proper maintenance is required for eligibility. Overall, while solar panels require some investment and maintenance, they offer a long-term return on investment and contribute to a greener lifestyle.

Introduction

Switching to solar energy to power your home can be a daunting financial decision to make, especially as a first-time user. 

However, there are so many financial and environmental benefits associated with solar energy that it seems like a no-brainer to make the switch.

Solar generation through solar panels not only powers our homes but also plays an important role in mitigating the effects caused by global warming.

Their long lifespan means that we get a return on investment, but they require occasional maintenance and repairs to ensure they are functioning at full capacity. Solar components are prone to damage and faults, but they are easy to recognize and fix.

Additionally, environmental hazards and harsh weather conditions like hails and snow can damage your solar panels, and you’ll need to be prepared to cover the costs of reparation.

The following guide will shed light and provide insight into how to properly care for your solar panel system long after installation, including what signs and symptoms to look out for, the costs involved with maintenance, and whether these repairs can be done by yourself or if you require a technician.

What Are the Costs Involved

Before listing the common solar repair signs and symptoms, it’s important to understand the costs involved in maintenance, repair, and in severe cases, replacement.

While installing solar panels can increase the value of your home by over 4% and save you money across its lifespan, you will also need to dish out some bucks for repairs and maintenance.

On average, solar panel owners spend $710 on panel reparation and maintenance. However, the severity of damage can significantly increase your expenditure to $3500. Additionally, labor costs for professional maintenance services can cost close to $100 per hour.

However, these costs are not set in stone. Costs can fluctuate depending on what damage has been done to your solar panel components.

In severe cases of damage beyond repair, solar panels would have to be completely stripped and replaced with new ones.

Replacing faulty solar panels or the complete removal of your solar system can anywhere from $400 to $600, and this is excluding the additional roof repairs and labor costs.

But not all damaged panels need to be replaced. Oftentimes, they just need a little fixing if there is minor damage.

Cracked or Broken Solar Panel

The most common problems with solar panels are cracked or broken solar panel glass.

Solar panel degradations factors include heavy storms, snowfall, and strong winds that fling objects on the solar panel surface damaging the glass. Persistent cold weather can cause your panel frames to warp, thereby cracking the glass. 

This is a common problem with flexible solar panels, as they are easily warped.

It’s important to note your local annual weather conditions to ensure that you do not run into these problems. The good news is that if you do, there are repairs that can be done to get your solar panel back to its former condition.

Broken solar panel glass reparations can cost anywhere from $120 to $450, depending on the damager and the material needs for repair.

Minor damage will only require minor repairs. Extra costs will involve the technician having to purchase a bucket of epoxy which costs about $20 each.

Severe damage will require a professional solar panel repairman. They will come out to evaluate the degree of damage and advise you on the steps forward. 

If the damage is beyond repair, then you may need to purchase a new solar panel.

Additionally, the costs of repair depend on how the solar panel is installed. Roof-mounted solar panels are a bit of a nightmare when it comes to repairing broken glass or under-performing panels. 

In most cases, the panel would have to be completely removed which will add to the costs.

However, completely broken solar panels will still have some power output, so you should hold onto them instead of chucking them in the trash.

Shop Solar Kits has a great support hub on our website where you can get help on everything solar, from repairs to maintenance. Our customer support services last a lifetime, and you can give us a call for all your solar panel needs and concerns.

Faulty Connections and Loose Wiring

Another common problem that happens with solar panels over time is loose wiring or loose connections.

These faulty connections can cause unexpected power generation, reducing the energy output of your solar panel.

The wires should be securely connected to each solar panel cell, the cells to inverters, and the inverters to the solar batteries that power your home.

A small disconnection in wiring can cause complete failure of an entire solar system so it is important to fix these wiring connection issues immediately.

You can detect loose wiring without having to call a professional technician out, saving you some extra bucks. Most solar panel owners use multimeters to test for an electrical current between sources.

However, once you have found the issue, it is advised to call a professional to resolve the wiring issue. The good news is that the charge for wire reparation isn’t too costly. 

Repairing a faulty connection in your solar panel only requires about an hour of work in most cases. This will cost you about $100 for labor charges.

Reparation involves cutting through the soft silicone wiring to access the component of the power cells. The technician may need to solder a few components, which may take 2-3 hours, increasing your bill by another $200.

Common Maintenance and Signs

Thankfully, solar panels are well designed and only require minimal maintenance to ensure that they are functioning at their best.

The most common issue that involves maintenance is the cleaning of dirt that sits on the surface of your panels.

It is important to monitor the surface of your panels after a heavy storm, as lots of debris can accumulate on the glass panels of your solar system and this may lead to damage.

Occasional cleaning of your solar panel surface is necessary to ensure that your solar panels get the full array of sunlight and produce the optimum energy output.

Your solar panel provider will often schedule annual inspections where they send out a professional to inspect your solar panels to ensure that it is running properly and that there are no faults.

A tell-tale sign that your solar panel needs maintenance is a decrease in the energy production of the panel itself.

If you notice that your electricity bill has significantly increased with solar panels installed, then it is most likely that your solar panel isn’t producing as much energy as it normally does. This is a good sign to schedule an appointment with a professional.

What About Warranties

In the event of the solar panel being destroyed, there’s always a warranty that covers unexpected damage from storms or external factors that are not in your control.

All solar panel manufacturers and service providers come with a warranty that states your solar panel should last for at least ten years.

Most solar panel warranties last between 15 and 25 years, but you are only eligible if your panels are properly maintained and cleaned of debris throughout their lifespan.

Conclusion

Solar panels often come with a large price tag attached to them, but they carry a long-term return on investment with them.

All energy-producing systems require occasional maintenance to ensure that everything is running at an optimum level.

Thankfully, solar panels are manufactured in such a way that they don’t require intense maintenance or repairs.

Annual inspections and periods of cleaning are required to make sure that your panel is in perfect energy-producing condition.

Always consult a professional if you suspect that there might be a problem with your solar panel. It is important to let them assess the panel and fix the problem. Do not try and fix the panel on your own, as this can lead to permanent damage if done incorrectly.

The good news is that you won’t need to worry because solar panel failure rates are at 0.05% so the chances of experiencing complete failure are incredibly low.

Now go out there and join the rest of the world’s population in choosing to liver greener and cleaner lives – go solar.

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