5 Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Solar Panels
1. Keep 'em Clean solar panels—they work so well that you hardly notice that they're there. And there is the problem. While the system is quiet and runs without a sound its easy to forget that the panels can get dirty, causing the power output to drop. The cleaner the glass is on the panel, the more unobstructed surface the sun has to "work with." How often should you clean your solar panels? That depends on where you are—if there is a lot of dust when you are travelling then your Solar Panels will gather lots of particulates and you will probably need to clean more often. A damp cloth will do the trick.
2. How to clean your solar panels? First, never use an abrasive soap or cleaning sponge - the goal is to get the glass clean and clear as possible so you don't want to scratch it. A quick wipe down with some water and a soft sponge will get the glass clean. This will give your Solar Panel the chance to produce its maximum output and help keep your batteries charged.
3. Keep them out of the shade. All iTechworld Solar Panels are monocrystalline, meaning they will still produce some sort of power in the shade, however if you want to get the full power from your Solar Panel then it is important to keep them in full sunlight. Different parts of Australia get longer sunlight hours. Check the map below to see how many hours of sunlight you will receive.
4. Monitor the panels. Monitoring your solar panel performance is key in understanding the power you are producing.
5. Keep a record of your panels' performance day-to-day. If you want to take it one step further, write down what your system has produced for the day (at roughly the same time each day). Make a note or asterisk for days that are particularly overcast because those will throw off your results and don't necessarily mean that there is a problem with your system. Keeping daily accounting will help you determine if your system is still coping with your load. If your current system is not coping with your load, it could be time to update.
Article author
Ian