What Happens If My Solar Panels Get Damaged?
Naturally solar panels are made to be very durable as well as withstand different weather conditions that might be harsh. however just like any other situation it could also get damaged as time goes on.
For those who do rely on solar panels, we understand that you might be concerned about what could happen if your solar panels Happened to get issues.
We’ll look at some of the most common causes of solar panels damages, we’ll also look at the effect these causes are going to have on the performances as well as the very best steps you will need to take when it finally happens.
Common Causes of Solar Panel Damage
We know for a fact that most solar panels out there are usually built with very tough materials that are durable. Materials like tempered glass and aluminum are often used to build solar panels.
While they might be strong materials, however they are not indestructible meaning they could also get damaged with time, below are some of the most common causes of solar panels damages.
1.Harsh Weather Conditions
For those Living in Nigeria, you would agree with me that the country usually experience very extreme weather conditions, conditions like heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds are very popular in the country, these conditions can cause serious cracks and scratches on your solar panels, also if there’s high wind, they could easily loosen your solar panels especially in situations where they are not properly installed.
2.Debris and Falling Objects
There’s also a very strong possibility that tree branches, bird droppings, dust etc could accumulate on your solar panels. these of course will go a long way in reducing the efficiency level of such panels, in some severe cases, a falling tree branch can also cause very damaging effect on the solar panels
3.Water Damage and Moisture
Apparently solar panels are well designed to be waterproof. However in situations of poor Installation or even defects from the manufacturers water can easily seep into the system, this will automatically lead to electrical faults and corrosion.
4.Physical Impact (Accidents or Vandalism)
Human activities could actually cause accidental damages on your solar panels, children could be playing around the panels, or workers might accidentally step on them, we cannot also rule out the possibility of vandalism, in some situations, animals like rats might decide to chew on the wiring, these could affect the performance of the solar system.
READ ALSO:How Do I Connect My Solar System to the National Grid?
5.Manufacturing Defects
Although these might be rare, but we are not ruling it out, most solar panels out there might have defects from the manufacturers, these could make them to be more prone to getting damaged earlier than expected, more reasons why you should always buy from trusted suppliers like Arenahub Global.
What Happens If My Solar Panels Get Damaged?
If your solar panels happen to get damaged, how much of an impact it would have on the performance of the system will be largely dependent on the level of damages that it caused. Here’s what you should be expecting.
1. Reduced Efficiency
Efficiency of the solar system means how much sun your solar system converts into useable electricity, the fact is that even a minor crack on the panel or dirt buildup will go a long way in reducing the amount of sunshine that’ll be able to reach the
photovoltaic (PV) cells, this will automatically lead to lower energy production.
The fact is that just a single crack on the panel can reduce the amount of output on your entire solar system.
2. Electrical Issues
There are lots of electrical connectivity that’s involved in solar system set up, and we know for a fact that water and electricity connection are two parallel lines, so if water or even dust enters through any crack in the panels, it can actually interfere with the electrical components of the solar system, this will automatically lead to short circuit or even reduce the voltage output. aa time goes on, it can actually damage other parts of the solar system.
3. Complete Panel Failure
A damaged panel means reduction in efficiency, however a severely damaged panel could simply mean a total failure of the whole solar system, this will totally impact the whole system and there’s inevitably going to be power loss.
4. Safety Risks
Damaged panels could prove to cause safety risks if not taken care of properly, if moisture is allowed to seep into the wiring and create an electrical short, then there’s a huge chance of it becoming a fire hazard, this could be very disastrous. to be on a safer side, you should always inspect your solar system regularly so as to prevent such a risk.
What to Do If Your Solar Panels Get Damaged
If you happen to suspect that your solar panels are damaged, there are some steps you can take in order to get them fixed. make sure to follow these steps.
1. Inspect the Damage
You should always use your eyes to inspect your solar panels to see if there’s a change in color, cracks or maybe loose wires, if you happen to notice any issues, don’t touch the panels yourself, as there maybe risks of electrical shock
2. Check Your System’s Performance
Always monitor your solar inverter to see if there’s any error messages or maybe a sudden drop in power output. if you happen to notice a very low energy production, maybe that’s a sign of damage
3. Contact a Professional
If you are not really sure of the extent of these damages, it’s better you contact a professional solar company like Arenahub Global.
4. File a Warranty Claim
Always check if you have a warranty, if you do have, then you might be eligible for a replacement, you can always check the warranty policy of your solar providers
5. Consider Insurance Coverage
If your solar panels happen to be damaged, maybe due to an accident or a natural disaster, then you can run to your home insurance if you have one, they should be able to cover for the replacement.
Nice article