MakeItSo Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 Question for homeowners who installed and use their solar systems. We are planning to install a whole-house solar system Not quite entirely off-grid setup (will keep CFE meter and account as a fallback option). Wondering what is involved in maintaining the solar system? How often? Can we be away for months at a time, with only the cleaning lady and the gardener visiting the property regularly? What are the most likely things, if anything, that can go wrong during our absence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 Other than cleaning the panels of dust and bird droppings in the dry season there is no maintenance. If you don't clean depending on the amount of accumulation of dust etc. you will lose some production. Many people don't bother. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cartero Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 p (will keep CFE meter and account as a fallback option). when you install solar cfe will change your meter to a solar meter. So I may not understand your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakeItSo Posted September 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 3 hours ago, Mostlylost said: Other than cleaning the panels of dust and bird droppings in the dry season there is no maintenance. If you don't clean depending on the amount of accumulation of dust etc. you will lose some production. Many people don't bother. Thank you. Just what I was hoping for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm1mex Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 We’ve had solar for many years. The original inverter had a 5 year warranty. It was after 5 years (of course) it died and we had to have a new improved smaller inverter installed. I think the panels are warranted for 20-25 years. No problem with them after many years. 12 or more. 2 month CFE bill never above the maintenance charged for the account. It just went up from 52 to 53 pesos on our 2 month bill. We are conservative but use as much electricity as we need. Much cheaper than LP gas. The sun pays for the energy used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whipstock Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 1 hour ago, sm1mex said: Snip,.... I think the panels are warranted for 20-25 years. No problem with them after many years.,...snip Perhaps a question for GO SOLAR; my understanding is that they will continue to put out at least 80% of rated value at the end of the stated warranty? If any knows if this is correct, please comment. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Whipstock said: Perhaps a question for GO SOLAR; my understanding is that they will continue to put out at least 80% of rated value at the end of the stated warranty? If any knows if this is correct, please comment. TIA Industry average is 90% + after 20 years. Monocrystalline should last longer/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Solar Posted September 11, 2022 Report Share Posted September 11, 2022 Virtually all Tier 1 brand panels have 25 year production / performance warranties to deliver 80 to 85% of the original level of power at the 25 year mark. What the OP mentions is a fairly typical grid tied setup; with these, the CFE solar meter is bi-directional and records values for both "use" and "sent". Both appear on the bills, and the user pays only the "net" difference (or has a 12 month rolling kWh credit, if production is higher than use). Maintenance - panel cleaning several times per year in the dry season is recommended, plus an inexpensive PM check of the system each couple of years, to check and adjust as needed, the support structure, roof connections, panel mounts, wiring harnesses, ties, and connections, and the inverter condition and performance (and inside cleaning, if a central / string inverter). 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakeItSo Posted September 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2022 Thank you all who took time to reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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