Do you want to reduce your monthly electricity bill? Do you want to harness the power of the sun as your household’s energy source? Solar panels have gone a long way. Such a free-energy generator technology is constantly improving. Yet, even though they are built to last for a long time, they are still prone to aging and damages. Changes in the environment, the weather outside, and even the earth’s movement can greatly affect them. We cannot control these factors but the best we can do is keep watch of the early warning signs of solar panel damage. As such we can quickly repair them and avoid bigger problems.
COMMON CAUSES OF SOLAR POWER DAMAGE
The common causes of solar panel damage are:
Falling Debris
Small debris like dirt, dust, leaves, sand, and twigs can result in micro-scratches in your solar panels. These are microscopic cracks, fractures, and hot spots on the surface of your solar panel glass cells. Such scratches can lower the efficiency of your solar energy system. This is because they keep the sunlight away from the cells. Over time, there are risks that they may grow in size and greatly affect the performance of your solar panels. Heavier debris like rocks and tree branches can result in larger damages. They can break your solar panel glass cells completely.
Hail Storm
A hailstorm is a form of solid precipitation. Hails are pellets of frozen rain with sizes ranging from 2.75 centimetres to around 1.75 inches. A hail storm can badly damage your solar panels. Like heavy debris, they can break your solar panel glass cells completely.
Water Damages
Solar panels are commonly waterproof. That is why rain does not cause them any harm. Rainwater can be helpful to your solar panels. The water can wash off debris and dirt and make your solar panels clean. Yet, there are times when rainwater leaks inside the solar energy system. When this happens, they can lower the efficiency of your solar energy system. It is because the water lowers the temperature within it, so it does not produce enough heat to power your home. The water may also lead to a short circuit. Once this happens, the system will break down and you will need to have a solar inverter relay failure repair.
EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF SOLAR PANEL DAMAGE
Below are early warning signs of solar panel damage to look out for.
Inner Module Damage
Faulty productions or the poor quality of components used can cause internal damages. What you need to watch out for are the following signs:
- Browning of films
- Burns on the solar modules
- Delamination
- Discolouration of solar panel cells
- Snail trails
- Yellowing of the back sheets
Cleaning and inspecting your solar panels twice every year can help you discover these early warning signs.
Loose Wirings
A solar energy system is connected to the electrical grid of your home through a series of small wirings. Any cut, loosening, or strip on these wires can affect the performance of your solar energy system. They may cause a failed connection or power generation issues. As such, you will also need to inspect the wirings of your solar energy system from time to time.
Module Damages
External damages in your solar panel modules may result from hail storms, heavy rain, lightning, and snow pressure. It may also be due to animal bites, broken branches, excessive temperature, fire, and icy conditions. Watch out for breaks in the solar panel cells and glasses. Check for hot spots, micro-cracks, and scratches. Once you discover these early warning signs, you may need to call a solar inverter relay failure repair.
PID Effect
When you experience fluctuation in the power voltage of your solar energy system, it may be a result of potential induced degradation (PID). It is a clear sign that your solar energy system is aging. If you are experiencing such signs, you will need to immediately call a solar inverter relay failure repair to rectify the issue. In most cases, they can prevent faster aging of your unit.
