The Top 3 Solar Farm Maintenance Tasks
A solar farm is a great way for businesses and communities to reduce emissions, become more sustainable, and lower their energy bills. But like any other technology, solar farms and solar panels require routine maintenance to ensure they are working correctly and efficiently. Our team at Renewables Worldwide is responsible for several community solar projects, so solar farm maintenance is at the top of our minds. We have to ensure all the community solar projects we oversee are producing electricity so our customers can continue to experience the benefits of renewable energy.
While solar farm maintenance can be complex, the essential tasks are simple. Here is a brief overview of the top three maintenance tasks.
Inspection and Cleaning
Solar panels are constantly exposed to the elements, so they require periodic cleaning. The angle ensures that large debris will slide off, but dirt and grime build up over time, blocking the sunlight. If left alone for too long, dirt can completely cover a solar panel, rendering it ineffective.
While crews are checking for debris on the panels’ surfaces, they also inspect for other damage. They look for cracks, chips, broken cells, and similar issues that could affect the panels’ performance.
Repairs
To ensure continuous energy production, it’s essential that we repair or replace damaged panels immediately. Minor damage won’t necessarily stop a panel from functioning, but leaving it unattended can lead to further damage. Repairing panels in a timely manner ensures that our customers continue to receive the maximum benefits from solar power.
Monitoring
Although crews do go out and manually inspect the solar farms and panels, we also monitor them remotely. By monitoring the output of our solar farms, we can see whether they are operating efficiently. If we notice a drop in energy output that external factors can’t explain, we know there is something wrong with the panels. Our crews would have noticed that damage on their next inspection, but continuous remote monitoring lets us know as soon as possible that there is an issue we need to address.
Join a Community Solar Farm with Renewables Worldwide
At Renewables Worldwide, we connect small businesses with local community solar projects to help them lower energy costs and become more sustainable. No matter the needs of your business, our team can help you find the right community solar farm in your area.
