Aug 28, 2020
Worried about solar panels and hail? Fret not, solar panels are incredibly durable and require little to no maintenance over their productive lifetime – which can span 25 years or more.
Solar panels are made of tempered glass, so they’re built to withstand hail and other rough weather. With the exception of tracking mounts, solar panel systems don’t have movable parts, which cuts down on the possibility of any problems.
Maintaining the solar panels of solar street lights is critical to ensuring their long-term efficiency (typically 25–30 years of lifespan) and stable power supply for the street light. Poor maintenance can lead to a 30–50% drop in energy conversion efficiency over time, shortening the system’s service life and increasing replacement costs.
Routine Inspection: Catch Issues Early
Routine checks (recommended monthly for urban areas, quarterly for rural/remote areas) focus on identifying visible damage, position deviations, or environmental interference that could affect panel performance.
Inspection Item
What to Check
Potential Risks if Neglected
Panel Surface
- Cracks, scratches, or yellowing of the glass cover.- Loose or broken frame (aluminum alloy frame is common).- Peeling of the anti-reflective coating (critical for light absorption).
- Water seepage into the panel (damages internal cells).- Reduced structural stability (panels may fall in strong winds).- 10–20% lower light absorption.
Mounting Structure
- Loose bolts, brackets, or rust on the mounting rack.- Tilt angle deviation (should match the local latitude for optimal sun exposure).- Signs of corrosion (especially in coastal areas with salt spray).
- Panels shift or tilt incorrectly (reduces daily energy harvest by 15–25%).- Mounting rack collapses (total panel damage).
Surrounding Obstacles
- Overgrown trees, branches, or new buildings blocking sunlight.- Bird nests, leaves, or garbage accumulated on/around the panel.
- Shading causes "hot spots" (damages cells and reduces output).- Debris blocks light and traps moisture (accelerates corrosion).
Wiring & Connectors
- Frayed cables, loose MC4 connectors (standard for solar panels), or rust on terminals.- Signs of overheating (discolored insulation or melted plastic).
- Poor electrical contact (power loss of 5–10%).- Short circuits (may
Many people in regions that get significant snowfall often ask if it’s necessary to remove the snow from the panels. Generally, the answer is no – snow usually melts and falls from the panel shortly after falling, so it doesn’t have a big impact on your overall production levels.
For your panels to be self-cleaning, they will need to be mounted at an angle of 15 degrees or more.Generally, solar panels don’t need to be cleaned. If you live somewhere where there is a lot of smog, dust, or dirt, you may see a dip in your production over time that can be remedied by cleaning your panels. On rainy days, water can help you clean the dirty on the solar panel.Shenzhen Leadray Optoelectronic Company Specialize in Solar lighting fields for over 15 years, our solar light sold to many countries. The hot selling products range is solar street light, solar garden light, solar parking lot light, etc.
If you use our All in One Solar Light, we provide a range of warranties that guarantee you will have support and coverage in the unlikely event of an issue, such as hail or falling tree branches.
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