Solar Panel Maintenance Guide for UK Coastal Properties: How Often to Service

Expert Advice for Optimal Solar Performance by the Coast

The Importance of Solar Panel Maintenance

Solar power is becoming increasingly popular across the UK. It is a great investment, especially in sunny coastal regions. However, it is important to ensure your Solar PV system is maintained and serviced to ensure for longevity and optimal performance.

How Often Should You Service Your Solar PV System?

Yet, many customers have asked recently, ‘How often should your solar PV system be checked or serviced? Especially if I am based in a coastal area?

Generally, we recommend that a Solar PV system to be professionally inspected and serviced annually. However, due to the harsher environmental conditions in coastal regions we would recommend having your solar PV system checked twice a year. This would be the most wise choice for ensuring longevity and avoidance of dips in performance.

Challenges for Coastal Solar PV Systems

One may inquire as to why coastal regions necessitate more frequent maintenance and inspections.

There are some unique challenges associated with solar PV systems in coastal areas such as:

Salt Air and Corrosion

The salt air accelerates corrosion of electrical components, mounting hardware and the frames of the panels. Even with corrosion resistant materials regular checks will ensure early signs of wear are identified and will prevent further more costly damage. The salt air and mist can also leave a residue on the surface of the panels which results in a reduction of light absorption. Therefore more regular cleaning is important to ensure no damage to the panels surfaces.

Wind and Storm Exposure

Due to the likelihood of increased exposure to strong winds and storms, panels can be shifted, fixings loosened and wiring damaged. After any adverse weather we recommend having a system health check completed on your solar PV system.

Seagulls and other wildlife.

Seagulls are a real nuisance for solar PV systems, bird droppings and damage from the gulls can block sunlight and reduce panel performance and efficiency. We have also seen gulls and pigeons nesting amongst the solar panels which interferes with the wiring. We recommend regular checks and cleaning to prevent this becoming a costly problem.

Recommended Solar Maintenance Schedule

At Green Tech Solar we recommend for customers in coastal regions with solar PV systems to have:

-            Visual checks completed every 3-6 months (to check for any obvious damage or obstruction)

-            Professional servicing every 6 months, this would include, electrical inspections, performance analysis and cleaning if required.

In addition we offer remote monitoring, which allows us to track your system’s performance in real time, allowing us to spot any issues before the escalate. This is especially valuable in harsh coastal regions.

Your Energy, Our Expertise

It is important to remember by regularly servicing your solar PV system you are saving long term and preventing escalated costs. By investing in preventative maintenance your system stays efficient, extends it’s lifespan and protects your investment. We have seen many systems recently which have been neglected and are experiencing service drops of 20% and up to 87%!

At Green Tech Solar, we appreciate the investment you have made into your system and we want to help you protect it! We specialise in solar maintenance, with tailored service plans to meet all your solar needs.

Get in touch today to find out more about how we can help you protect your investment.