Ever wonder how your calculator turns on without having to change the batteries?
Magic! At least that’s what I used to think.
The truth; however, is that these little devices are powered by the sun using solar (photovoltaic) cells and as long as there is enough light, the devices can essentially stay on forever.
Now, imagine having something powered by the sun on a much larger scale. A parking lot? A road sign? A call box? An entire corporate building? What about your very own home? From the small electrical appliances such as your hair dryer or coffee maker to the big scale items such as your stove, everything requires power so what better way to power than by using your very own solar energy provided by the sun.
First off, how do solar panels work? Good question. Solar cells help convert sunlight directly into electricity.
To put it simply, solar cells are made of semiconductors, a material that absorbs a portion of the light’s energy and frees electrons. The flow of the electrons is controlled by electric fields. If metals are placed above and/or below the solar cells, energy can be drawn from the electric current to be used externally to power devices. Solar panels are basically packages of connected solar cells.
To watch an animated video of how this conversion takes place, please visit How Solar Works.
In a nutshell, converting to solar panels in your home or commercial property can be one of the best investments of a life-time.
So what should you do once you’ve purchased and installed your panels?
Maintain. Maintain. Maintain.
Maintenance is the key to sustaining a strong, properly functioning, efficient, and effective structure.
That goes for anything we purchase, right? Absolutely!
With the purchase of solar panels, consumers are in luck because fortunately solar panels require pretty low maintenance. Unlike generators which are composed of belts, hoses, and components that need repair and replacement solar panels do not have moving parts that may rust or breakdown. They also do not require refueling of any sort since energy is harnessed by the sun.
So what exactly do I need to do?
Cleaning is an important key aspect of solar panel maintenance. Make sure your solar panels are wiped and cleaned on a regular basis. The dustier your area, the more frequent inspection is recommended. This ensures that dirt, grime, bird droppings and debris do not block the sun from efficient absorption by the panels. You can simply clean by using a mixture of warm water and soap to loosen the dirt and a cloth to wipe.
For bigger buildings, it is recommended to have your solar contractor perform the inspection and necessary maintenance and repairs. Safety first!
We generally don’t like rainy days since it blocks the energy, but consider it a blessing if there’s a few days of it. Free cleaning? I’ll take it!
As owners, the goal is always to get the bang for your buck so make sure your panels are performing at maximum capacity and save energy whenever possible. .
If you live in an area that happens to snow, make sure that you take the time to remove the snow from your panels.
And lastly, making sure that nothing obstructs the panels from solar absorption can help tremendously toward effectiveness. Trim your trees folks!
If you’re visual like me, this is a great simple and easy to follow instructional video on how to clean your solar panels made by a solar panel owner. Enjoy!
