What can ruin solar panels?

Broken solar panels are usually damaged due to weather (hail, debris from extreme winds). While the damage caused by a tree branch falling from a storm would come as no surprise to anyone, often the primary culprits of the damage are much smaller. Twigs, leaves, and dirt or sand can be blown onto the glass of the solar panels. Damage to panels in cases like this starts almost microscopically.

During this transport, the solar panel frame can easily be folded, just as large wooden boards bend and flex when you carry them from the home improvement store. For example, if a solar panel is damaged, it may continue to work, but it won't work the same way as before. This is because if part of a solar panel is damaged, the loss of energy production is considerable and almost as if the entire panel were lost. The most logical solution is to ensure that there are no trees directly above or near your solar panels.

Just because a solar cell has degraded (panel efficiency and overall performance have declined over time) does not mean that there is no value left in the panel. To better prevent water damage, take the time to re-seal each panel or have a licensed solar panel contractor do it for you. If part of a solar panel is damaged, the loss of energy production is considerable, almost as if the entire panel were lost. To remove the smallest debris from solar panels, clean them regularly with a microfiber cloth and your garden hose about once a season should be sufficient.

The physical inspection of solar panels should consist of checking the top part for cracks that could let in water. If a heavy object (such as tree branches) falls on the surface of the solar panels, the sheet of glass will be damaged. Even the smallest debris, such as twigs, leaves or soil, can cause small micro-scratches on solar panels. As long as broken solar panels are safely removed from the existing grid and packaged for disposal, the next steps are fairly simple.

Therefore, it is covered by the product warranty (normally 10 years for conventional solar panels). The small solar cells are held together with the help of metal strips. 26 percent of both sides of the solar array are encapsulated by ethylene-vinyl acetate. Broken solar panels are never left “lying in landfills” for future generations to worry about later on.

These scratches dramatically reduce energy production by decreasing the amount of solar energy each panel can absorb, since scratches prevent sunlight from shining directly on cells.