In the quest to reduce energy bills, many homeowners look to solar Photovoltatic panels as a means of avoiding expensive monthly costs. But, are there solar panel problems we might not be aware of?
Renewable energy expert, David Hilton, first installed solar panels on his house in 2010, when the Feed in Tariff (FiT) of 40p for every unit generated caused a solar panel rush. At the time, they were sold as a fit and forget technology with a guaranteed return on your investment.
So, was it simply a case of installing them and then sitting back and reaping the rewards? David says no, and with the FiT now reduced and payback time extended, he reveals the top 5 solar panel problems he always warns homeowners to be aware of.
1. Shading will reduce the amount of light and solar performance
Everyone knows that solar PV systems need light, as this is what they absorb and convert into electricity. And while it's a solar panel myth that they only work with sunlight, not working when there's lack of daylight isn't a myth.
Consequently, one of the biggest problems solar panels face is a lack of light caused by shading.
The worst culprit? Trees. Trees grow, and what may not have shaded the panels when they were installed could quite easily cause shading a few years later.
In summer the sun is very high in the sky and shading may not be a problem, but it is worth also checking in spring and autumn as well, when the sun is at a lower zenith.
A less obvious cause of shading is other buildings, or parts of buildings. When the panels are installed there may be no shading from buildings but in the passage of time you or your neighbours might choose to build an extension, or add a loft conversion.
Depending on the height of the new additions, a new chimney, dormer or valley extension could end up shading the panels. Satellite dishes, television aerials, soil vent pipes, rooflight windows, boiler flues and log burner flues could also all be added to a home and cause shading as a result.
The consequence? Any shading will have a negative effect on the generation output of the system making it less effective as a means of reducing your energy bills.
2. Damaged panels from dirt and debris
Tucked away on the roof of your home, it's easy to forget that solar panels are exposed to the elements, and as such can be subject to dirt and damage which results in solar panel problems.
However, there are many environmental conditions that can damage panels. Wind, hail stones, flying debris such as branches, roof tiles, stones or other materials have the potential to wreak damage on them.
Autumn in particular can also bring many falling leaves which will coat the panels, especially when they are wet. This severely reduces the amount of accessible light, and while the panels often have what is referred to as self-cleaning glass, this does not mean that they don't need cleaning.
If they are installed at a pitch of over 11 degrees then some of the dirt will naturally come off, and the steeper the pitch the better gravity works, but, depending on your location, pollution, salt air or bird droppings will probably require physical cleaning of the solar panels.
The leaves may need to be brushed off (if you leave them too long they can become stuck to the glass), and it is also worth having the dust cleaned off the panels at least once a year as well.
Most window cleaning companies will now clean the panels so long as they can reach them. A two-storey home is usually okay, but anything taller may need cleaners with specialist long-reach equipment.
It's also important to remember that any loose wires will also move in the wind and could either break with continuous movement, or get ground away and frayed with continued chaffing on rough roof materials.
3. Corroded and loose solar panel frames
The average size of a solar PV panel is around 1 meter wide by around 1.8 metres long. 15 years ago most panels had a frame that was 50mm thick, but these days the panes edge is only 30 – 35mm thick, which means the panels can potentially flex.
This makes it far more important to get the panels firmly fixed to the roof rails, as harsh windy conditions (wind load and wind lift) could over flex the panels and cause them to crack or become dislodged.
Many of the early panels also had the aluminium frames screwed together at the corners with steel screws. Aluminium rails and steel screws create accelerated corrosion, so it is also important to periodically inspect the integrity of the frames, especially in a marine environment such as living in a coastal location.
4. Problems with solar panel inverters
On a solar PV system the panels are wired back to a product called a solar panel inverter. This houses the technology that converts the generated energy into useable energy in the home.
But, there are often cooling fans and electronic components that can fail. On my own PV system for example, I am on my second inverter.
When I installed the PV system the cost of solar batteries was still very high, but these costs have now significantly dropped and I may consider adding one to my home.
The ideal scenario is to use the same inverter for both the PV panels and the battery, but this requires a special inverter called a hybrid inverter. Not all inverters are hybrid versions however, so if your inverter is failing (or has failed) then it is worth paying the uplift for one.
5. Pest and animal infestations
Solar PV panels sit around 100mm off the roof, which means they have a ready made spot for animal habitiation.
Birds may try and nest under the panels, and rodents and squirrels can also hide under the panels, causing untold damage when they gnaw at the wires.
Prevention is better than cure, so getting wire mesh, often referred to as bird mesh, fitted around the panels to make sure your solar panels are pigeon-proofed, could be considered a must-have addition to your solar panel installation.
How to identify problems
As it is not always obvious that the panels are dirty, or not performing at their peak, there are a few tips you can use to help identify solar panel problems
It's important to firstly keep a track of generation, and then compare it year on year to see if there has been any significant change from the previous year.
Many inverters have app facilities that enable logging performance, but if you have an older system, it is worth writing down the meter readings more frequently than just when you need to submit them for quarterly payments.
Secondly, while it is often fairly easy to do a visual inspection of the system from afar, getting a physical mechanical inspection and service is also good practice and will help to identify solar panel problems.
This will require a qualified engineer with the right access and safety equipment to be able to check everything safely. Most of the time a good ladder and harness system can be used for the inspection, which is a lot less expensive than getting a whole scaffold system erected.
Any repairs or maintenance work identified must be completed by a qualified engineer. Solar PV panels will keep generating energy if there is light on them so you need to be aware that the system could potentially be permanently live, and therefore hazardous.
Your solar PV system may be out of sight, and out of mind, but keeping it clean, secure and well maintained will help to deliver optimised generation.
So are solar panels worth it when you take into account solar panel problems? Yes, says David Hilton, but saying on top of their performance and maintenance is key.
If you're currently considering buying a house with solar panels make sure you take onboard the advice in the article, or if you're considering adding them to your home, find out if there are any solar panel grants you may be able to apply for to help reduce your costs.
