Could a dirty roof really spike your energy bills? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Photo: Huglo Solar.
So you finally joined tens of thousands of Canberrans and jumped on the solar energy train. Congratulations! Lower energy bills await, especially if you have a battery installed.
But just like a car, that shiny new solar system needs some maintenance to stay efficient long term. Basic upkeep can be broken down into three main areas: cleanliness, home monitoring, and regular servicing.
Huglo Solar co-director Lee Hindley says most solar panel arrays are installed on an angle to self-clean when it rains, but a manual touch-up may still be necessary in dusty or windy environments.
“Built-up dirt and debris can quickly reduce the amount of electricity generated, so it’s a good idea to check on and around your solar array every few months.
“Panels on flat roofs might need more regular cleaning.
“Don’t just look for dirt. Animal droppings, bird nests, and overgrown trees can all affect power generation. Keep an eye out for any damage, deterioration, or discolouration while you’re there.”
Most solar systems include home monitoring through a display panel, website or smartphone app. Some provide more detail than others, but all are a vital resource for tracking the health of your system.
Monitoring systems generally show how much electricity your system generates, how much you use, how often your battery charges and discharges (if you have one), and the system’s status, including any fault or error codes.
While you can add detailed monitoring to an existing system, it costs far less to get both installed at the same time.
“Some monitors help reduce energy bills even further by calculating the best time to use your electricity. Remember, the strongest savings come from consuming your power as it’s generated,” Lee says.
“It’s easy to forget about monitoring once the novelty wears off, but try to dedicate a few minutes once a week.”
Lee says every solar system should undergo regular servicing by an accredited electrician or solar installer.
“Your technician will thoroughly test the electrical components and structural integrity of your entire solar array. They will also assess whether the system is actually generating the power it should,” he says.
“Some providers include a clean in their service; some don’t. Make sure you check ahead of time.”
Anti-islanding is a safety feature built into every solar inverter in Australia. In the ACT, Evoenergy requires a five-yearly test to prove it works. This test can be completed and signed off by any solar-accredited electrician.
“Anti-islanding makes sure that your inverter shuts off within two seconds if the grid goes down, and takes at least a minute to boot back up again once power returns,” Lee says.
“This protects technicians working on infrastructure during an outage or upgrades.
“Battery-supported systems may still supply your household with backup electricity during an outage, but they have to disconnect from the Evoenergy network first.”
Safety is key when conducting home solar maintenance. Never try to open or service any components unless you’re fully qualified. Solar and battery systems operate on high-voltage DC cabling and can be highly dangerous when not handled correctly – if in doubt, contact your installer.
For more information, visit Huglo Solar.
