ROOFING, CLADDING & FACADES
SOLAR MAINTENANCE MATTERS
The hidden burdens of solar panel upkeep.
The financial appeal of generating electricity from sunlight is undeniable. However, many owners of traditional solar panels underestimate the hidden costs and ongoing efforts tied to system upkeep. Here, Martin Ulmann, marketing manager at solar roof providers SunStyle, explains why traditional solar panels can be costly to maintain and how the alternative can help address these challenges.
While conventional rooftop panels have helped thousands of homeowners and businesses lower their energy bills and carbon footprint, they still present challenges.
DIRT AND DEBRIS
A common but often overlooked challenge with traditional solar panels is the accumulation of dirt and debris. Conventional solar panels, typically mounted in frames on the roof’ s surface, tend to trap leaves, dust, pollen and bird droppings along the edges and underneath the panels.
Over time, this build-up can block sunlight and significantly reduce energy output. In fact, in some climates, soiling alone can cut generation by as much as 25 per cent.
While light rainfall can help, most panel owners find that regular professional cleaning is needed, especially if the installation is in an area with lots of trees or urban pollution.
EXPOSED TO NATURE
During heavy winds or hail, mounting systems can loosen and tempered glass can crack. Additionally, severe weather can lead to water infiltration if seals or caulking around the mounting hardware begin to fail over time. Retrofitted solar panels can limit access for roofers and make repairs more expensive.
Not only can the maintenance itself be costly, but in some cases, temporary removal of parts of or the entire system is required. Solar panel downtime means no electricity generation, which during peak seasons can have a financial impact.
The gaps between a roof and a conventional panel system can attract birds or rodents that will nest under panels. To prevent damage to wiring and potential fire hazards, additional measures like mesh barriers are sometimes needed. This is not only an additional cost but is also unsightly and likely not what customers had in mind.
To prevent this, routine inspections are a necessity to monitor inverter health and wiring connections,
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