SolarSurgeon.com

(818) 883-6969






Did you know?
Shading of just 10%
of a module by dirt
or bird-droppings
can reduce its power
output by 50%!


Look at it like this:
If your car sat still
on the driveway,
unwashed, for many months, the roof
and windshield and hood would have a
thick layer of grime -- fallen from the air.
Your solar panels:
same grimy layer!


You should know: Roof-top solar energy systems are NOT 'maintenance-free'!
Some of the things
that happen over time
can reduce the efficiency (output)
of your system:
--- Dirt, soot, smog,
and bird-droppings on
the modules (makes the panels think it is a VERY cloudy day!)
--- Damage to the many feet of cable and wiring by rodents, UV (sun), and wind movement abrasion


Fact:
At mid-day, 1000 watts of energy are falling on every square meter of earth, free for the taking!


Roof temperatures can reach 150°.


Most don't know this:
Your system puts out more power on a cool sunny day than it does
on a hot sunny day!


What 'looks good'
from the street is sometimes different once on the roof.


Do you count on
rain to keep your
car clean?!
Even if you do,
cars run good even when dirty-- solar components do not.


Some installers forget:
Regardless of the roof's pitch, for optimum performance the modules all need to be mounted at a tilt-angle identical to your area's latitude; for example, the latitude of Los Angeles is 34 degrees ---to compare: Chicago is at 42° latitude---, so the mounting angle of the modules must be at 34° from horizontal zero in Los Angeles (this might help to understand it: if a module was standing 'straight up & down', it would be at 90°; if it was laying flat on most sidewalks, that would be 0°). Most roofs are not the same angle as the area's latitude, this usually meaning that the upper end of each module needs to be a different distance off the roof than that of the bottom of each module.


The modules must
be facing true south for best performance.


Solar components can be damaged by rats,
birds, and squirrels,



including the 8 feet of exposed wiring tucked behind each module!


Need to know what your latitude is?
Use the GPS unit in your car; choose the 'Where am I?' option;
given location details will include latitude.


Roof Danger Factor:
Height, power lines, glass sheets-- not a place to send a maid, student, or handyman!


NEVER unplug a solar module while sun is reaching it.


Ouch-- water from your hose, coming from underground, might be up to 70 degrees cooler than the glass of the panels; ever see a hot window cracked at a car wash?


Installation/adjustment 'SECRET':
Known as 'declination',
modules adjusted toward true-south instead of toward compass-south can
often get a 5-10% output increase
(compass-south is
more than 10° wrong
from true-south).


It is hot, dirty,
and dangerous
on your roof!

Call us to serve you.



Also available:
We can help with
the formal scientific
Solar Site Shading Analysis
(Insolation Quantification) detailed reports that are
required to be submitted with rebate & permit requests.


All content
©SolarSurgeon.com

(818) 883-6969


Solar Photovoltaic System Cleaning and Maintenance


'Protecting your sun-energy investment'


Our 5 levels of system maintenance
and panel output improvement:


>Level 1:

> we clean all module glass sun-surfaces
   (with ambient-temperature de-mineralized
   cleaning solution, to prevent any glass-shock
   or hard-water spots.)

Note: Level 1 service is also available for
rooftop solar water-heating equipment.


Did you know?
Shading of just 10% of
a module by dirt or bird
droppings can reduce its
power output by 50%!



>>Level 2:

> > we inspect modules for signs of degradation
        (color changes, fogged glazing, de-lamination,
        warping, or water leaks), cracked glazing, and/or
        bent frames)

> > we check all roof-top connections

> > we tighten all roof-top mounting hardware
      (it can loosen up, thanks to the wind always
      tugging back & forth, trying to lift those many
      long flat panels)

> > we inspect exposed wiring for rodent & other damage
       (see left photo below)

          

> > we check for rust, galvanic corrosion, and electrolysis
      (see right photo above)

> > we secure any wiring loose under the modules

> > we inspect module-to-module ground connections

> > we inspect the sealants applied around all     
      rooftop penetrations

> > we clean away cooling-inhibiting dust and dirt
       from the electrical combiner box and from the
       DC-to-AC inverter(s)

Note: Level 2-type service is also available
for rooftop solar water-heating equipment.



>>>Level 3:

> > > we check the power output of each module
         (most have 25-year output warranties each).



>>>>Level 4:

> > > > We can adjust the tilt-angle of the modules
             for maximum intake of sun, with these options
             (note- if a module was standing 'straight up
             & down', that would be 90 degrees, and if were
             laying flat on most sidewalks, that would be 0°):
       
> > > > . . . for one best year-round average setting,
             we adjust all modules to a 34-degree tilt
               (the latitude in L.A. area) from horizontal zero.

> > > > . . . for maximum output in summer months,
             we can adjust tilt-angle back 10 degrees
             from 34° to 24°, because the sun is higher
             in the sky for that part of the year.

> > > > . . . for maximum output in winter months,
             we can adjust tilt-angle forward 10 degrees
                from 34° to 44°, because the sun is lower
             in the sky for that part of the year.

     (see example of tilt-angles 24°, 34°, and 44° below)



>>>>>Level 5:

> > > > > Optimum system performance depends on
                panels receiving 'clean' sun from 10am to                 3pm. If you live in an area that usually
                has morning fog past 10am but usually has
                sunny afternoons past 3pm, then the panels
                should be adjusted to face south-southwest
                instead true-south. We can make this
                adjustment.




SolarSurgeon.com

(818) 883-6969


Preventative and Corrective Maintenance

:: Advise of upgrades/re-calls  ::  Suggestions ::

Increase life-span and efficiency of system

:: Photos of roof-top items can be obtained ::

Stop under-performance & loss of efficiency



Affiliates in most major cities

Roof temperatures can reach 150°:
it is not a place for amateurs to be.

Or need a solar system installed?
Referrals to solar installation
contractors in all major cities


We are the original;
often imitated, never duplicated!


ADJUSTING TILT-ANGLE OF MODULES »»


Best year-round L.A. average setting: 34°

For most output in summer, adjust to 24°

For most output in winter, adjust to 44°

Up to 10% more output using seasonal tilts!


Latitude List: Anchorage 62°, Chicago 42°,
Los Angeles 34°, Phoenix 33°, Redding 40°,
San Diego 32°, San Francisco 37°, Tucson 32°


Also available:
We can help with the formal Solar Site Shading Analysis
(Insolation Quantification) scientific reports that are
required to be submitted with rebate & permit requests.


Ask for Sean


Don't put a part-timer on your roof
with your valuable solar investment.
We teach contractors how to pass the
state C-46 Solar Contractor license test!