Do grid-tied solar electric systems require maintenance?
Solar grid-tied PV systems have no moving parts and are nearly maintenance free. The tempered glass surface of the panels naturally shed water (and any accumulated dust) and are about as tough as a car’s windshield. Manufacturer’s rate solar panels to withstand 1″ hail at 50 mph (hopefully we’ll never see hail that big here!). We mount the modules about 4 – 8 inches above the surface of your roof so that stray branches or leaves will not be trapped under them and to allow natural air circulation under the panels keep them as cool as possible thereby boosting electrical output. In a particularly dirty or dusty location, it can’t hurt to clean the modules during a period of dry weather when there is no rain to take care of this chore. Most of our clients do not bother with this task. With grid tied PV there isn’t much to do except read your meter and inverter and watch your kilowatt hours of renewable energy add up.
