Solar Power System Ownership - Do's, Don'ts and Useful Tips

The majority of the work surrounding your solar power system will occur prior to and during the installation.  Like any major 25-year investment, issues arise and minor maintenance may be required.

Home Solar Power

Operating Your Solar Array

Operating the array is the easiest part of it all.  Turn the main breaker and the disconnect(s) to the ON position.  That’s it – you’re now generating solar energy (assuming its somewhat sunny outside).

The breaker and/or disconnect will be clearly labelled with a red sticker/lamacoid with white writing.

You can now operate a solar PV system.

One of the best features of solar energy is its simplicity in operation.  No major tasks or upkeep is required to make solar power systems functional, so pour a cup of coffee, put your feet up and enjoy your renewable energy.

Maintaining Your Solar System

Maintenance may be needed sporadically throughout your system’s life in various forms:

1.       System Maintenance:  In many cases, a simple power reset will fix the issue.  For this simply turn your system OFF, wait a 5-10 seconds, then turn it back ON again. Repeat this with your monitoring system’s ethernet cable and/or your router as the error may be related to your internet connection.  Please see your owner’s manual for proper shut-down/start-up procedures for your given inverter type.  If technical deficiencies are still present beyond this, please contact Kuby Energy.

2.       Shade Maintenance: If your solar panels are near a tree or bushes that may grow over time, it is wise to trim/prune any branches that will cause shading on the array.  Be sure to consult/hire a professional contractor/arborist and always follow safe work practices before doing any work yourself.

3.       Module Cleaning: Most solar power systems will not require cleaning.  Average precipitation will clear off sediment (soiling) from your solar panels for them to operate effectively.  If you live in a particularly dusty area or the modules are collect above-average levels of dust/debris, spray the array off with a hose to clear the surface.  Do not climb on your roof to clean the array or scrape snow off. 

4.       Snow Coverage: Snow covering solar panels is a common concern. Know that the system will not generate after a heavy snow fall – this is normal and expected, don’t worry.  We still do not recommend climbing on your roof to clean your array.  The handful of sunny hours per year the modules are not generating solar energy due to snow coverage is miniscule compared to the total generating hours in the year.  Most energy will come in spring, summer and fall, so don’t fret if the array is covered a few days of the year.

5.       Hail: Solar panels in Alberta and Canada are designed to withstand most hailstorms through the use of high-durability tempered glass coverings.  In many instances, the solar panels will protect your roof from hail.  You should contact your insurance broker/company after you install your solar PV array.

Monitoring Your System

You can login to your online portal by following the instructions in the email you received after system commissioning.  Through this website you can view all your current and past solar energy data, including monthly energy production, carbon offset, and individual module power outputs at any given time.

Dos and Don’ts

DO:

·         Contact your energy retailer after you install the solar PV array and let them know you are a Micro-Generator

·         Contact your home insurance company and let them know you installed solar panels on your home

·         Check you online monitoring system regularly (its cool and full of lots of interesting data)

·         Keep the area in front/above the solar panels free of shading obstructions

·         Follow us on social media/tell your friends about us!

DON’T:

·         Clean solar panels with an abrasive tool or chemical solvents

·         Climb on your roof unless trained, experienced and wearing proper personal protective and fall-protection equipment

·         Be alarmed if your solar power system does not turn on with snow coverage

What to Expect

Solar arrays are mostly care free.  Mostly.  Every now and then there may be technical issues such as inverters flashing error messages, strings not operating, or solar panels not acting normally.  These issues happen and are why Kuby Energy is here to provide technical support.

If technical issues arise, contact us and we can troubleshoot the problem.  In most instances, the issues can be fixed remotely through firmware updates, software updates, or settings configurations.