Proper maintenance of a photovoltaic system
How to do it and why with Sun Ballast structures everything is easier and faster
Proper maintenance is the basis for the perfect functioning of the photovoltaic system, which guarantees continuity of production, so to always have the same energy efficiency and be able to return from the investment.
But let’s see in detail what maintenance consists of.
The control obviously takes place through a visit to the place where the system was installed.
The first thing to check is the status of the coverage
On this aspect Sun Ballast is an added value: in fact, our ballasts are not fixed, so moving them is very simple.
There are three factors to pay attention to when assessing the status of the coverage:
- a) any lesions on the roof surface due to structural movement of the building. And this is where Sun Ballast difference emerges, just move the ballasts and control is immediate.
- b) water infiltration
- c) wear of the roof covering
The second thing to check is the condition of the photovoltaic modules
The cleaning of the panels must always be at the top, only in this way is energy efficiency guaranteed. It is important that the glass does not show any cracks that can damage the cells.
Even in case of panel replacement, Sun Ballast is an ally of the operator. In fact, if the module needs to be changed, the panel must be changed and to do so, just remove two screws from the Sun Ballast structures, without having to move them.
In the event that the photovoltaic panel to be replaced is no longer available in that size, it will be enough to move the ballast, and even in this hypothesis with Sun Ballast it is all very simple, because it is not fixed on the roof. It adapts to the size of the new module.
The next stage is the inspection of the facility.
The tightening is checked immediately to check if they keep the panels anchored or if they have not loosened by checking with a wrench if the tightening torque is within the range established by the user manual of the photovoltaic panels that have been mounted.
It is then necessary to ensure that the ballasts have not moved due to climatic stresses (wind) or thermal expansion of the materials.
Our structures are supplied together with the sheaths on which they rest during installation, in order to preserve the coverage and avoid slipping thanks to the grip that the sheath in recycled rubber produces.
In addition, replacing them is very easy and the system can also be expanded by adding new rows of ballasts without having to redesign the layout of the system itself after evaluating the electrical part.
Last step, the test on the electrical part
The maintenance is completed by checking the inverter, tightening AC / DC panel terminals, string voltages, production data, connectors, etc., also checking the correct arrangement of the cables. Also, in this, Sun Ballast can help thanks to Cablowind, the new concrete duct that has the dual function of additional ballast and correct accommodation of the cables.
How often should you do maintenance?
The best solution would be to do it once a year, but the assessment must be made from area to area, because, for example, there may be sand in marine areas.
In cities and industrial areas pollution has a great impact, in windy areas it is better to check more frequently. Control is obviously necessary following exceptional events (hail, storms, etc.). Another check must be made when you realize that the system produces less than usual standards. In this case it is necessary to immediately ascertain the cause (breakages, faults in the electrical systems).
