If you have solar panels, or you're thinking about getting a solar system, you might have maintenance on your mind. Fortunately, solar panels don't really have moving parts that need a lot of upkeep, so maintaining them isn't a complicated process. Still, though, you'll need to be aware of their basic performance and condition, so you can maintain them or have them repaired as necessary.

Dirt and debris can get onto your panels over time, and that can affect how well they do their job. Especially if you've had a big storm recently, experienced a long dry spell, or haven't performed any maintenance on your panels in a while, cleaning them can help. You can use a bucket of water or a hose, and just rinse or spray them off. If you aren't comfortable getting onto a ladder or the roof, it's easy and usually inexpensive to hire someone to wash off your panels for you, too.

That's really the only kind of self-maintenance task your panels need, but it's a good idea to have them professionally inspected once per year, as well. That way, any potential issues beyond normal maintenance can be quickly corrected, so your panels stay working the way they should. There are even apps that can give you information about how well your panels are performing, so you can see when they need a maintenance rinse or other support.

How often you need to clean your solar panels depends on where you live. A desert area could mean more build-up of dust on your panels, but an area with stormy weather might lead to increased debris such as leaves. It's important not to let too much time pass, though, because panels can be harder to clean if they become dirty and stay that way for a while.

The company that installs your panels, along with the manual that comes with them, can provide you with good scheduling advice. Having a schedule makes budgeting for maintenance easier, since you know basically what to expect. Maintenance is generally not very expensive, but it's still a good idea to be aware of and prepared for the costs of keeping your solar panels in good shape.

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