The Care and Feeding of Your Solar Power System

Now that spring is in the air, the weather is warming, and the sun is getting ready for its busy season, let’s talk about the best ways to make sure your solar system is always in great working order.

Most solar systems are installed on rooftops, out of sight. And because they have no moving parts that grind, squeak, and attract attention to themselves, it’s easy to forget they’re even up there. But in order to keep enjoying the tremendous energy and cost savings you’re getting from solar, your system needs a semi-annual cleaning―especially if you are located in an area that is particularly dry and dusty.

1. Safety First - The first thing to be aware of when cleaning your solar panels is always safety. Make sure any ladder you are using to access rooftop panels is stable, and work with a partner if you can. If you’re uncomfortable with heights, definitely consider hiring a professional service to perform regular cleanings.

2. Hope Floats, But Glass Cracks - Remember to avoid walking or standing on the panels while cleaning them. Although the tempered glass surface of the modules is extremely strong, the panels will break if you walk on them, and must be replaced if damaged.

3. Don’t Get Sappy - For average dust accumulations, you can simply hose the modules off. Also check for accumulations of tree sap or bird droppings, and clean them off with a sponge or squeegee using a mild dish soap and water solution.

4. Branch Out (and Off)! - Also make sure to clean leaves, branches, and other debris off the top of the modules, and remove any material that may have become lodged under the modules, as it could reduce cooling airflow, or cause water to back up in a severe rainstorm.

Just as you do for your home and your car, it’s important to keep your solar power system well maintained in order to get the most value from your investment. A quick cleaning a couple of times a year will keep your system cranking out that solar goodness for years to come!

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The Facts of Life (As They Apply to Better Performing, More Reliable Solar Power, of course)

We’ve already talked about how improved installation methods dramatically affect the value of your solar investment. Now, I’m going to give you just a few last facts on performance, safety and reliability:

FACT #1: Andalay AC Solar Panels improve system performance:

1. Panels connect directly into your home electricity meter, eliminating the need for the system to convert current from DC to AC
2. Each panel within the system maximizes its output―even in shade―for better productivity

FACT #2: Andalay’s integrated mounting and fully grounded systems reduce or eliminate safety issues:

1. Shorter wiring runs reduce system wear
2. Panels connected structurally reduce safety issues significantly
3. The mounting pans serve as a redundant ground path for all adjacent modules

FACT #3: Andalay’s factory-assembled systems provide better reliability:

1. Panel-to-panel electrical locking connectors provide higher overall system reliability and safety
2. Self-tightening connection rods eliminate exposed wires and pinched electrical joints

So there you have it. You probably haven’t thought this much about electricity since high school science class, have you? But when you are considering in a long-term investment like solar energy, it pays to understand how new advances have improved safety, productivity, and reliability ― and how it will protect your investment.

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Improved Reliability Delivers a Better Investment

Until Akeena introduced Andalay solar panels, there hadn’t been an update in solar energy system design and installation for over 30 years. As the demand for solar power systems increased, the need to address longstanding design weaknesses that impacted reliability was becoming critical.

Andalay addresses the design weaknesses in traditional solar panels by incorporating the entire electrical system into the overall framing infrastructure. This way, the solar panel acts as a part of the rack mounting system itself, replacing unnecessary rails and enabling these components to be manufactured in a factory setting for better quality control. Having all the electrical and grounding connections pre-assembled at the factory means that the product more closely resembles a finished installation—before it’s mounted on a roof!

This installation methodology, while simplifying installation and reducing rooftop labor and rooftop assembled parts, produces a much safer product. The overall result is faster, smoother, more consistent installations that deliver dramatically higher long-term reliability. And the bonus for homeowners is that there are far fewer holes in your roof and less chance for leaks!

The other key consumer benefit from this new design is more robust grounding. By using a primary grounding path through double-ended, threaded splice rods that bolt together adjacent panels, grounding is substantially better than with ordinary wire. Because the ground path is contiguous, all grounding is automatic among the components as the frame and roof mount components are being assembled.

The final part of the grounding is to attach a ground strap from the frame to the final ground point, which completes the grounding for every piece of the panel and mounting system with redundancy built-in for extra reliability. Wires will break in traditional mounting systems, guaranteed, it is only a matter of time before the weather or a squirrel gets to it first!

Simply stated, Andalay is the future of solar power. The award-winning technology outperforms ordinary solar panels on cloudy days and in shady areas. Andalay also delivers a massive improvement in reliability that protects the value of your investment. Oh, yeah, and it looks great, too!

Check back next time, when I’ll be talking about the facts of life. . .solar life, that is. ;)

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