Do solar panels require maintenance in NYC?

Are you a solar owner with a quick question about solar panel maintenance? Are you considering installing solar panels on your home and wondering what kind of maintenance is involved? This guide is for you!

When you go solar with Brooklyn SolarWorks, our team will be there to answer any questions you may have and provide personalized guidance in taking care of your system. Continue reading to learn about the components of a solar system and why solar panel maintenance is a breeze.

Do solar panels need to be maintained in NYC?

If you’re considering solar, you may be wondering what kind of maintenance you’ll need to think about in the future. Good news! Maintaining a solar PV system requires very little effort. 

Because there are no moving parts to a solar energy system, there’s not much that you actively need to keep an eye on. Cleaning your solar panels is not required either, because they’re angled in such a way that Mother Nature can typically take care of any build up of dirt or debris.

The most common issues we come across have to do with the system’s WiFi connection, which can happen if you change your network settings and is a simple fix.

All in all, solar is a very low maintenance renewable energy source for your home. But rest assured: if any issues or questions arise, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us to get started with solar.

How can I tell when my solar system needs maintenance?

Every solar panel system has an inverter, which we consider the “brains” of the operation. It has two important jobs: one, it converts the DC electricity generated by your solar panels into AC electricity used by your home and the utility grid. Two, it monitors the health of your solar array and stores performance data.

When it comes to solar panel maintenance, the inverter is key. It’ll be connected to your home’s WiFi, which enables the transmission of production data to our monitoring team and alerts us if anything is wrong.

The inverter is typically mounted in your basement near the main electrical service. It can also be placed on your roof attached to the solar array. 

How do you maintain solar panels?

Solar panels are very low maintenance, but there’s a few things to keep in mind to operate and monitor your solar system.

Cleaning

Solar panel cleaning is not required. In NYC, we’re lucky to get rain relatively often. Your solar array is angled to allow rain water to run off naturally, taking with it any dust, pollen, or other debris.

If you do choose to clean your panels, however, avoid harsh detergents and metal or hard plastic brushes that could scratch the glass.

Snow Removal

We don’t recommend removing snow on your solar panels, as the power lost during snowstorms is extremely small. Snow will drift or melt off your panels naturally. Not to mention, it can be dangerous climbing up to a snowy, icy rooftop.

Repairs and Replacement

If your panels were installed properly, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to worry about repair or replacement. But things can happen – this is why it’s important to choose a trusted local installer that provides warranties for their equipment and service. Brooklyn SolarWorks provides a 30-Year Total System Warranty to give their customers peace of mind.

In the rare case that your solar panels need to be replaced or repaired, it’s best to get in touch with the company that installed them because they’ll be able to determine the best course of action for your system and your roof. If your system was installed by us, we’ll get a crew out to assess the issue and make repairs as soon as we can.

Rebooting Your System

Over the lifetime of your system, you may come across times when you’ll need to turn off or reboot your system, like if you have an electrician working in your home for example. 

How do I turn my system off?

In the rare case that you need to turn your solar system off altogether, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the DC disconnect. This is a black dial on the left side of your inverter.
2. Turn off the AC disconnect. This will be either a circuit breaker in your main electrical panel, or a switch located outside your electric panel (it’ll be labeled as such). The system is now off.
3. To reboot your solar panel system, turn both the DC and AC switches back on. Either order is fine, but turning on the AC connection first will allow the inverter to resume operation more quickly.

Monitoring Your System

After your inverter is connected to your WiFi network, we’ll register it in an online monitoring platform that allows you to track the performance of your solar array. Checking this data is a great way to monitor the health and performance of your solar system.

Performance data includes: 

• Real-time output of your solar system
• Total energy output
• Approximate CO2  emissions avoided for the current day and lifetime of the system
• Basic information on system equipment

Additionally, our team actively monitors the performance of our entire fleet of solar systems against guaranteed output levels and receives automatic notifications should any errors occur.

How does NYC weather impact solar panels?

One of the most common solar myths out there is that solar panels won’t fare well in bad weather. In any given year in New York City, we can expect a range of weather conditions, from heatwaves, to hurricanes, to blizzards.

When it comes to solar, we prepare for this. The solar panel providers we use, typically Qcells, thoroughly test their panels against a broad range of extreme weather before going to market.

Brooklyn SolarWorks’s systems have also undergone extensive testing: our canopy system can hold around 48,000 pounds. This means it can withstand a blizzard’s worth of snow and over 120 mph winds — exceeding the city’s wind requirements. (For reference, when Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey, the highest recorded wind speed was 80 mph.)

Systems we installed back in 2016 are still up and running, despite being exposed to multiple hurricanes and snowstorms over the years. When you go solar, it’s important to choose an installer that uses high-quality solar panels and sound installation methods to ensure stability overtime.

Does my solar panel warranty cover maintenance?

Solar panel warranties can vary depending on the manufacturer, but most provide a standard warranty of 10 to 20 years. Typically, there are two components to a solar panel warranty: product and performance. The product warranty covers the equipment itself, while the performance warranty guarantees a certain power output over a set period of time. The specifics of each component vary depending on the provider.

Additionally, a good solar installer should provide their own warranties.

Brooklyn SolarWorks’ solar warranty package:

 

• 30 year total system warranty: Covers all aspects of the installation, including equipment and workmanship. We’re here for you before, during, and after your solar installation to provide any service or maintenance needed.
• 10 year power production guarantee: We build systems that are meant to last and produce power for your home. Your electric savings are guaranteed!
• 24/7 monitoring: We actively monitor all of our solar systems just in case any production issues arise.  

It’s important to work with a solar company that provides a comprehensive warranty in the event your system ever needs maintenance.

Invest in a Power Source That’ll Last

When you invest in solar energy, you’re investing in a low maintenance, long-lasting energy source that’s actively reducing your carbon footprint. Overall, solar panel maintenance is a total breeze. But in the case that any issues arise, it’s important to know the basics of how your system operates and how to handle it.

If questions about solar panel maintenance are top of mind for you, it’s best to work with a trusted installer who uses high quality panels and installation methods. If you’re a homeowner in New York City, we’d love to help you switch to clean energy. Schedule a free consultation today!