6 Tips to Protect Your Solar Panel

Opting for solar energy is a great investment – considering the high cost of electricity. Most homeowners have realized the importance of solar energy despite the high initial investment cost.

It is better to pay several thousands of dollars once to install a solar system rather than putting up with high electricity bills every month.

Many Homeowners in Australia are benefiting from the advantages that come will solar energy. Apart from being environmental-friendly, solar energy is extremely cheap compared to other forms of energy.

According to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), over two million Australians use solar systems in their homes. This is probably because solar energy protects the environment, lowers electricity expenses, and is easy to maintain.

Nonetheless, there are several challenges that come with solar system installation and use. Some of them include weather, physical damage, and theft.

Below are 6 tips to protect your solar panel:

1. Use of an alarm system

Most people install solar panels and ignore including an alarm system. Considering the amount of investment that goes into installing a good solar panel system, it is important to protect it with an alarm system.

Such panels are often the target of most thieves. They can uninstall it in a matter of minutes. The best way to protect your solar panel is by attaching an alarm system to it. An alarm will send a signal in case there’s any form of movement.

2. Purchase an insurance cover

This is not even negotiable. Any expensive asset is worth securing with an insurance cover. There are many insurance companies in Australia that provide insurance covers for solar panels and other expensive assets.

The insurance cover is supposed to protect your solar panel from various risks such as theft, physical damage, and natural disasters among others. The most important thing is to ensure that you find a reliable company that understands your needs.

3. Ensure that your solar panel is installed properly

This is where some homeowners often fail. Some will call a technician to install a solar system without their presence. Remember that the way your solar panel is installed plays a big role in determining its functionality.

As such, it is good to ensure that you are present when your solar panel is being installed for the first time. This will give you a chance to ask questions and ensure that the technician(s) fixes everything as required.

Sometimes you might think you can do the installation by yourself. The truth is that some solar systems are complex and only qualified technicians can do a good job. The best option is to get a qualified and experienced person to help you with the installation.

4. Keep your solar panel clean

Never assume that your solar panel doesn’t require cleaning. Considering the way most solar panels are installed, they are likely to accumulate water and dirt. If left for a long time, your solar panel will begin to rust and malfunction.

You need to hire Melbourne Office Window cleaners or any other reliable company to regularly inspect and clean your panel.

Failing to do so will cost you a lot in terms of repair or even replacing a new solar system. You can agree with the company to carry out cleaning at least after every six months or once in a year.

5. Grounding

There are several parts of Australia that are prone to lightning. You don’t want to wake up one morning and find that lighting has rendered your expensive solar panel useless. Besides, you can’t know when lightning will strike – to switch off your solar system.

Grounding is one of the best techniques to protect your solar panel from the threat of lightning. Another option is installing lightning arrestors and surge protectors to prevent your electrical appliances.

6. Cut down long trees

If you have a long tree close to where you have installed your solar panel, then you are exposing it to potential damage. Other than posing a risk of branches falling on your solar panel, trees may also attract parching birds.

In other words, there are several risks associated with long trees close to where your solar panel is installed.

It only takes one heavy downfall to drop a branch on the rooftop and damage your solar system. The best way to protect your panel is by cutting them down.