Photovoltaic Systems Maintenance

Peace of mind so you can ensure your system performs as intended

Many people benefit from clean, low cost energy produced by their solar system. We want to ensure that your system is performing at its optimal level so you continue to reap the benefits for many years to come.

Thinking of those people, we at EcoPlanet Energy launched a new maintenance service for these systems. The maintenance performed by EcoPlanet Energy technicians is a series of verification routines on photovoltaic panels, inverters, batteries and cables, so we can guarantee the system owners that their systems are performing at the best possible efficiency and so that they may avoid future problems or serious damage that can cause low electric power production and efficiency losses.

Our annual preventive maintenance contract contemplates the following activities:

Check electrical protections

INVERTER CHECK - The inverter does not require major maintenance, however it is advisable to do once a year. Inverter service will check for dirt (dust, weeds or other debris) that may lead to a loss of power and insufficient cooling. We also verify the data being generated by the inverter are logical and coincide with those that are visible in the inverter display.

FAN COOLING CHECK: During the maintenance check, we verify the correct operation of the fan cooling system, we conduct reverse assembly checks and clean the mechanisms as we do so.

VENTILATION CHECK:  During the inverter maintenance the ventilation air ducts will be checked and cleaned. The inverter is provided on both sides with ventilation air ducts. The inverter sucks air through the fan at the bottom and let it escapes on the other side. For this reason, it is necessary to unlock and clean the vent air ducts inside the Inverter  so there is the greater heat dissipation for the cooling system.

SOLAR ELECTRONIC PROTECTION SWITCH INSPECTION:  We check for wear and tear of the Electronic Solar Switch, making sure that the connectors or terminals do not show signs of discoloration through overload  heating or short circuit damage.

SOLAR PANEL MODULES CHECKS: PV (PhotoVoltaic) systems do not require constant maintenance. Although it is advisable to maintain the front (glass side) of the module clean to ensure that energy production is unaffected. Removal of dust or debris may be carried out by using a microfibre cloth and ethanol on the glass of the photovoltaic panels. EcoPlanet Technicians will perform a series of tests to verify the voltage of each panel (analyze whether the panels have production defects and hot spots that can produce a voltage reduction). Our technicians will also check the electrical connections to make sure they are well adjusted and do not show signs of oxidation.

WIRING CABLE INSPECTION:  Connectors and terminals (including the cables for ground protection connection and retightening of all terminal points): A terminal connection that is not making correct physical contact can always produce an electric arc, which can cause an increase in temperature, even a spark or short-circuit, causing a possible operational failure in the device. In order to avoid such a serious problem with the device in the future, it is essential to test to see if there are mechanical or electrical overload stresses.

BATTERY CHECK: In certain PV systems (OFF-GRID),  battery maintenance is crucial. During the inspection it is recommended to periodically observe the water level in each compartment. If the water level is low, must be placed demineralized water to stabilize the water level. Carry out inspection of the terminals to check whether they present signs of corrosion and are well adjusted. Finally, one should check whether there is sulfation, as this means the presence of gas in the battery and therefore a failure of the charging control system.

PV owners can make routine checks (which can be daily / monthly / quarterly) that can help prevent a lot of damage.

      
Such periodic checks that can be carried out by PV system owners:

• Verify the presence of dust, bird droppings or other debris that are on the photovoltaic panels. It is important to view the appearance of these types of dirt, as they can significantly influence the level of energy generation.
•  Check the existence of hot spots in the inverter and charge controller (and sinks / hot air outlets);
•  Verification of mechanical parts of the follower (if there are loose screws by tightening or whether they require lubricating);
•  Check the seals of the lids of boxes and cable entries;
•  Check for any damaged cables;
•  Turn off and on the inverter to check if it restarts properly.

These small checks to photovoltaic systems may seem small or insignificant, but will be a great contribution to help prevent more serious damage in the future that may be unrecoverable.

To ensure that your PV system maintains maximum efficiency always be sure to conduct a regular professional preventive maintenance check. After each complete maintenance visit you will receive a fact sheet of the installation status and any interventions by the EcoPlanet Energy technician.

With an EcoPlanet Energy solution, you’ll be able to rest assured that the top quality components we provide will stand up to any conditions; providing you with clean, green electricity year after year!

Call us today on 71 2626 3005 and speak to our friendly team for expert or Contact us with more information about our maintenance service.