Solar Maintenance

Those new to RV solar sometimes wonder: What kind of maintenance routine do I need to perform? Happily, maintaining the RV solar system is easier than taking care of a goldfish. Much easier!

The panels themselves need to be kept clean. How often? That depends largely on your environment. If you're in an area where there's a lot of wind-blown dust, you'll be looking after those panels more often. The main trick is this: Anything that blocks the sun--even a little--can have a large impact on solar panel output. Cleaning your common "crystalline" panels is a simply job: A soft cloth and plenty of water work well. Unless your panel maker suggests otherwise, some find that glass cleaner works well. The problem sometimes encountered in an alkali dust environment is that glass cleaner doesn't always "cut it." You may find that a straight vinegar does the trick of cutting the muck.

The next bit of maintenance? Keep an eye on the system batteries. Check them at least once a month to ensure the electrolyte level hasn't dropped below level. If it has refill with DISTILLED water. Keep the battery connections clean to prevent power loss.