For the most part, solar panels are trouble-free and offer decades of reliable clean energy costs. There are a few parts you will probably have to replace once or twice, but the cost of solar panels in comparison to rising electric bills is considerably lower than conventional energy.
If you're having problems with a new solar system, your first step should be calling your installer or solar manufacturer. If you installed the panels yourself, or even made your own panels, there are few common problems you might be able to fix yourself. Remember, these panels are exposed to the mercy of Mother Nature 24 hours a day. One bad hail storm or a single strong wind could easily damage a panel array with debris, too much dust or even water under the glass.
If you're having problems with an array conducting less power than it should, you may have a solar cell "out of circuit." Something as simple as a loose soldering connection in the cell can cause this. To diagnose which cell may be bad, cover 4 cells with a hat or block of wood. You should notice your power dropping. If you don't, then one of the cells you have covered is out of circuit, and you've found your problem! You may have to replace the entire panel in this case.
When it gets very hot outside, you may notice your solar energy "fading." It's true that these panels do not function as efficiently in extreme temperatures. If it's extremely hot outside, try watering down your arrays with a hose. You should see your voltage feed from the arrays rising. Using a voltmeter, test the entire system at its crucial connections to see where the volt drop begins. At this point, you will also feel very high heat in the wires. The most common problem is battery corrosion, which creates oxidation in the metal connections. When this occurs, your best option is to replace all metal connections, and sometimes, the battery itself to prevent further heat damage.
If you've had your system installed for a while, check for corrosion in your metal connections between the solar panels and your track connections. Over time, weather can cause warping and shifting in the metals that connect your solar panels to the inverter. This can create electrical resistance which drops your voltage output, thereby reducing your electrical supply. Another piece of equipment to check is your diodes. On occasion diodes within your junction box can burn out from sustained shading.
If you're noticing some leakage in your roof, you may have an issue with the installation of your solar panels. The roof tile-track system is designed so that leaks don't occur. It takes just one misplaced screw to create a potential leak hazard. Double check all tie-down points to make sure the screws are in rafters- not just roofing tiles.
The expected life of a solar power system is 25 years. Once you've had your system for that long, we're sure you'll want another one! There's nothing like the ease, predictability, and reliability of a solar power system.
Philip Richards knows all about solar power. Learn how he built his own solar panel with this amazing easy to follow guide book at http://123HomeSolarPower.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment