How to care for your roof-bling.
Clean. Free. Safe.
These are words we hear over and over when we are talking about solar energy…
What is the true cost of solar?
A few years ago, residential solar power and solar energy solutions for your home were the ultimate luxury. We all knew one or two people who had “that kind of money” and decided to go “Off – Grid”…
That was then.
Now, and thanks in no small part to the whole Eskom debacle of continuous rolling blackouts, (even though they try to call it loadshedding), residential solar has become more of a necessity than a luxury.
In an interesting twist of economics, based on demand exceeding supply (initially), backlogs on components and raw products hampering production, desperate buyers fearing stage 8 loadshedding, and solar panel suppliers over-ordering stock for import just as loadshedding was reduced…The price for solar panels has dropped nearly 20% since the beginning of the year.
This has been fantastic news for the average South African.
Have a look as you drive through your neighbourhood…between March 2022 and June 2023, South Africa’s rooftop solar generation has increased by 349%
Its clear that solar power is here to stay.
In South Africa we have the space, the sunlight and the motivation to make solar one of our main residential power supplies, so let’s get to know it a bit better.
Harvesting the sun’s energy
Solar panels are usually made from silicon, or another semiconductor material installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. When this material is exposed to photons of sunlight (very small packets of energy) it releases electrons and produces an electric charge.
This PV charge creates an electric current (specifically, direct current or DC), which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. AC is the type of electrical current used when you plug appliances into normal wall sockets. Source
Ok…So now you have the panels. What’s next?
What type of maintenance does my solar panels need?
As with any part of your home’s infrastructure, proper maintenance is important to be able to get the most out of your solar panels.
Clean panels are much more efficient.
As counter intuitive as it feels to go and “wash your roof”, Solar panels demand cleaning if they are to be kept in good condition.
Think of them as large windows or lenses. Just as every speck of dust on your window or camera lens obscures the view and influences your picture, any physical obstruction on the glass of your solar panels keeps that “cell” from generating optimum electricity.
Studies have shown that panels can lose as much as 20 – 25% of their generating capacity when they are dirty.
While sollar panel cleaning services do exists, it can also be a low tech home maintenance DIY project. You do not need power tools or specialized equipment to clean your own panels.
Don’t harm your panels.
Only clean the glass with a mild glass cleaner, a soft sponge or squidgy and clean water. Take care not to leave streaks on the glass.
Do not use anything abrasive like a scrub brush or harsh chemicals like bleach that could damage the glass.
Don’t harm yourself.
Solar panels heat up and retain heat for a long time. So, if you are planning on washing them by hand, wait for them to cool down or erect temporary shade over them to avoid getting burnt by them. Washing them in the early morning is usually a safer bet.
Your health and safety is worth much more than your panels so be extra cautious when it comes to dancing around on your roof and climbing up and down ladders. If you feel at all unsure or insecure about your own abilities, play it safe and call the professionals.
It’s still electricity…
As with all electrical and energy solutions like conventional electricity and gas, it is important to have your installation and setup professionally checked and serviced every now and then. Lose connections, or faulty wires can just as easily spell disaster when it comes to solar and battery setups as with conventional electricity. Check your homeowner’s insurance policies as well and ensure that you are covered for damages to (and from) your solar setup.
Solar power is clean(er) than fossil fuel, free(ish) after initial installation and as safe as you make it. The one major upside of solar is that if it is correctly installed and maintained it is definitely more reliable than Eskom.
