When it comes to long-term energy efficiency and value, solar panel setups are becoming more and more popular among commercial entities. There are several areas to consider if you’re going this route for your business, and one of these is how you’ll go about setting up a basic maintenance and upkeep program for your panels once they’re installed.

At Onsite Utility Services Capital, commercial solar energy solutions are some of our most popular services over recent years. We’ll assist you with every part of this process, from evaluating your energy needs and determining your property’s feasibility for solar installations to long-term upkeep and maintenance. Here are some important themes we recommend to clients when it comes to setting up a maintenance program for your commercial solar power.

Schedule Regular Inspections

First and foremost, it’s important that you schedule regular inspections of your solar power system. This is critical in order to identify any potential issues early on, before they have a chance to cause major problems down the line.

We recommend having a professional inspection at least once every quarter, but depending on the size and complexity of your system, you may want to consider more frequent inspections by a trained technician.

These inspections should include a visual check of all major components, as well as a performance test to ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency. Any areas of concern identified during the inspection should be addressed as soon as possible.

Documentation Procedures

Both for these period inspections and for any other maintenance tasks that need to be carried out on your system, it’s important to have well-documented procedures in place. This will ensure that all tasks are carried out correctly and completely, and will also create a record of any issues that arise over time.

This documentation should include step-by-step instructions for each task, as well as a checklist of items that need to be inspected or addressed. This will help to streamline the process and ensure that nothing gets missed.

Keep on Top of Cleaning

Another key element of maintaining a commercial solar power system is keeping the panels clean. This is important in order to ensure that they’re able to absorb as much sunlight as possible and generate the maximum amount of power.

Depending on your location and the environment around your property, you may need to clean your panels more or less frequently. In general, we recommend that they be cleaned at least once every month or two.

This cleaning can be done manually using a soft brush or cloth, or you may want to invest in a automated panel cleaning system. Whichever method you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid damaging the panels.

Note Significant Outages or Problems

While these should be quite rare if you’re dealing with a reputable solar installer and maintaining your system regularly, it’s important to be aware that significant outages or problems can occur from time to time.

If you do experience a problem with your system, be sure to document it thoroughly and contact your solar installer or maintenance provider as soon as possible. This way, they can assess the situation and determine the best course of action.

Ensure Stable Data Logging Connections

Tracking the performance of your solar power system is critical in order to identify any issues that may arise. This data can also be used to help optimize the system’s performance over time.

For this reason, it’s important to ensure that all data logging connections are stable and secure. These connections should be checked on a regular basis, and any issues should be addressed as soon as they’re discovered.

Monitoring Portal Reviews and Training

Down similar lines, you or someone on your team should be assigned the task of reviewing data from the monitoring portal on a regular basis. This will help to identify any potential problems so that they can be addressed quickly.

In addition, it’s important to make sure that all employees who will be working with the system are properly trained in its use. This training should cover all aspects of the system, from basic operation to troubleshooting and maintenance.

Enable Notifications

Within your monitoring platform, it’s vital to set up system alerts and notifications. This way, you’ll be immediately notified if there’s any issue with the system, no matter what time it occurs.

You can set up these notifications to be sent to your email, phone, or another type of device. This way, you can be sure that someone will always be available to address any problems that may arise.

Contact Installer for Tech Support Needs

There are several technical elements that go into a commercial solar power system, from the panels themselves to the inverters and other components. As such, it’s important to have a solid understanding of how these systems work before attempting any type of maintenance or repair.

If you’re not comfortable working with these technical elements, we recommend contacting your installer for assistance. They’ll be able to help you troubleshoot any problems that you’re having, and can also provide guidance on how to carry out any necessary maintenance tasks.

Creating and following a comprehensive maintenance plan is the best way to keep your commercial solar power system running smoothly for years to come. By taking the time to carry out regular inspections, clean the panels regularly, and track the system’s performance, you can avoid potential problems and keep your business running smoothly.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our commercial solar energy solutions or other energy management programs, speak to the pros at Onsite Utility Services Capital today.