Solar power is in a prime position to resolve the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
That’s the conclusion architecture and engineering experts from the Auckland University of Technology came to. In their opinion piece published last September 2024, while citing the need for the current energy strategy to seize more opportunities, they also cited the critical role of rooftop solar infrastructure in post-disaster power generation. (1)
With photovoltaic (PV) systems, every commercial building becomes a pseudo-power plant. Apart from satisfying local energy needs, their integration into the larger grid allows them to supply excess energy. This surplus isn’t necessarily substantial, but it can add up quickly if every rooftop in New Zealand is equipped with one.
Installing more solar panels and batteries is one thing, but keeping them in working order is another. As the entire system is fully exposed to the elements, especially intense heat and light, repairs and regular maintenance are necessary. As a business owner, your solar panel maintenance practices should include the following:
Inspect for Damage
Routine inspections should ideally be carried out once or twice a year. Though commercial solar panels are built to last, they gradually incur wear and tear. The damage may not seem bad now, but time will worsen it to the point that it affects system performance.
Hiring a commercial solar maintenance service team is the most convenient way to do this step. Their work involves looking for even the subtlest signs of damage. Among the most common issues are:
Hot Spots
Hot spots are solar cells that register abnormally higher temperatures (on the thermal camera) compared to the rest of the solar panel. They occur when a cell or part of it becomes “shaded” or has its current reduced. This causes the “unshaded” cells to increase their voltages and burden the shaded cell with such a huge load.
Potential Induced Degradation
Potential induced degradation (PID) occurs when stray currents or electrical energy flowing outside the primary path degrades the PV crystals. Experts have stated that PID has become more common since the introduction of transformer-less inverters that allow for higher voltage discrepancies.
Severe Weather Events
Solar panels are delicate pieces of hardware prone to damage from large hailstones or debris kicked up by stormy winds. Also, while designed to operate at a wide range of temperatures, warm weather in excess of 25ºC is known to reduce solar energy output efficiency by 0.5% per degree Celsius. (2)
A visual inspection of the system isn’t enough, as these issues can exist deep within the mechanism. Unless your in-house maintenance staff has the necessary equipment and training, it pays to leave this task to a dedicated maintenance service team.
Clear Surface Debris
Contrary to popular belief, solar panels continue to convert light to energy in overcast and even nighttime. However, it does so at a reduced efficiency compared to under clear skies during daytime (though some claim their systems generate a higher output in overcast).
Nothing can be done about getting weather conditions to cooperate, but some scenarios are within one’s control. For example, leaves and other debris blanketing parts of the entire panel also affect solar energy production. Just a tenth of the panel under shade or debris cover can reduce the entire PV system’s efficiency by up to 33%. (3)
We’ve discussed about solar panel cleaning in our post about seasonal solar panel maintenance. Fortunately, you can perform these methods using everyday outdoor cleaning tools and some TLC.
- Carefully pick off the leaves and tangible debris by hand.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to dust off the buildup of dirt and dust.
- Clean the panels’ surface with a mild soap solution (dedicated agents also work).
- Use a squeegee to apply the cleaning solution (and remove the excess water later).
- Rinse the panels using lukewarm water and on a gentle spray setting.
It’s important to have a gentle hand when cleaning solar panel surfaces. Abrasive brushes and cleaners can scratch the protective glass pane, which can also affect the PV system’s optimal efficiency similar to blocking with leaves. High water pressure can risk damaging the PV system’s frame, opening its interior to water intrusion and leading to costly repairs.
Monitor Solar Energy Output
An unexpected reduction in the amount of stored solar energy can indicate an issue with part of the system. Some systems have inverter batteries that feature built-in displays for real-time monitoring of daily solar generation. Others are connected to a solar monitoring platform (online or app-based) that delivers more comprehensive performance reports.
Whatever the mode of regular monitoring, you can get a clearer picture by comparing your data with that from from SolarView. This tool by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) calculates the amount of solar energy that can be collected based on the solar panel’s tilt and bearing.
While not 100% accurate, SolarView data should provide a good idea of how much your PV system should be generating. Any noticeable shortcoming may point to a potential issues.
Conclusion
Solar energy is poised to become indispensable in the future – or it may already be. Either way, commercial building owners aiming for long-term energy security must ensure their solar panel systems are working at peak efficiency. For that, routine maintenance is key.
References:
- Energy crisis: Is solar power the solution for New Zealand power prices? [Internet]. NZ Herald. 2024. Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/energy/energy-crisis-is-solar-power-the-solution-for-new-zealand-power-prices/YMVFIHGNU5BBVFKLJT45MHCCC4/
- BRANZ. Photovoltaic systems and Renewable energy. Level [Internet]. 2021 Jul 11; Available from: https://www.level.org.nz/energy/renewable-electricity-generation/photovoltaic-pv-systems/
- Shading On Solar Panels, And How To Work Around It [Internet]. Mysolarquotes.co.nz. My Solar Quotes; 2020 [cited 2025 Mar 14]. Available from: https://www.mysolarquotes.co.nz/blog/how-solar-power-works/shading-on-solar-panels-and-how-to-work-around-it/
