Are my solar panels working well?
The benefits of using the sun to power your home are substantial and long-lasting, but a solar system is not set-and-forget.
For maximum return on your investment, you need to check your panels are performing at their optimum. But how do you know if they are? RAA Solar Senior Manager of Market Development Ben Lovell has some advice.
It can be difficult to tell if you’re getting the best output from your solar panels. They’ll never run at 100 per cent efficiency but there are DIY checks you can do to solve issues early.
“Many people rely on their electricity bill to find faults in their system, but we advise against that as they’re infrequent and lack the right details,” Ben says.
“Instead, use your monitoring app to find any error codes or check the lights on the inverter on a sunny day. If you find any problems, call the installer immediately.”
Inspect your solar panels
Do a visual inspection of your solar panels. Are they shiny or dull? Although rain will help wash away dust, over time solar panels can collect bird droppings, tree sap and lichen, which reduces their efficiency. While you’re looking, make sure there aren’t any tree branches or other objects shading your panels. If your panels are looking grubby, don’t risk injury by climbing on the roof. Instead, leave it to the experts at RAA Trade Assist to give your panels a good clean.
Spring is a perfect time to check your panels haven’t suffered at the hands of winter. Strong winds, tree branches and other debris can damage your panels and affect their output. While you’re checking if your panels are still in one piece, consider whether your home insurance policy covers you for damage to solar and battery systems.
Ben says if you’re worried your solar system isn’t churning out the energy it’s supposed to, RAA can help with a solar health check.
“Our solar experts will come to your house and inspect your system for anything needing attention. We can check if it’s performing optimally and even identify if it’s time for an upgrade or a battery installation,” Ben says.
The future looks bright with RAA Energy
RAA will soon enter the local energy market with a fair, trusted and transparent energy plan. Later this year, members can sign up with RAA Energy and receive a fair deal on electricity prices.
RAA’s new energy offering follows a recent ACCC inquiry that found 79 per cent of residential customers could be paying less for their electricity.
RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade says RAA Energy will give members access to competitive electricity rates for a fixed monthly fee, plus a host of other energy cost-saving benefits.
“We want to empower our members to better understand their energy use so they can take control of their electricity use and save money,” Nick says.
“We’ll provide consumers a free smart meter, and over time be able to give them personalised insights, along with other benefits like solar assessments, aimed at helping South Australians reduce their energy use and bills.”