Nevada is a great location for solar power. Bright, sunny days most of the year mean that panels are highly productive. The desert climate also means there are fewer trees to shadow your power generation capacity. Of course, the seasons here are also fairly unique. Nevada has dusty summers, surprisingly cold winters and occasional rainy spring and fall. When planning seasonal maintenance for solar panels in Nevada, consider each season to have unique maintenance best-practices.
Spring
During the spring in Nevada, keeping your panels clean is your main priority. Schedule a cleaning as the weather warms up to remove debris and check for any damage that might have blown through during the chilly winter weather. Begin your planning to protect them from the summer heat and dust. Spring is a good time to order supplies or arrange an upgrade for summer maintenance. Also, make sure your panels are well-secured and all the bolts on the mounting frames are tight to prepare for wind season in Nevada.
Summer
Nevada summers are intense. Solar panels love the Nevada summer sunshine, but extreme heat and UV rays are less ideal. Take steps to protect your panels from high temperatures outdoors and prevent them from overheating. Make sure there is airflow between the panel and the roof and consider cooling arrays attached to the back of your panels.
In the summer, the plants crisp and the soil dries out, leading to a large amount of dust. Hotter months like July and August are prime time for you to rinse your panels off with a garden hose or arrange for monthly wipe-downs to ensure you’re soaking up the most sun without dust getting in the way.
Fall
In the autumn, temperatures cool down enough that plants begin to grow more freely. Though it is not a traditional “color changing” autumn, there will be more leaves to clean up. Prepare to sweep the fallen leaves and other plant debris off your panels to maintain efficiency as daylight hours decrease.
Winter
Nevada winters are surprisingly cold and can be rainier than other seasons – but you will very rarely see frost. The Nevada winter is an abundant growing season for plants scorched by the summer heat. Keep your panels clear of leaves and make sure small creatures don’t try to nest in the space between your panels and the roof, as this can be an appealing shelter.
Year-Round
One of the best ways to improve your solar panel performance is regular performance monitoring and annual inspections. Late autumn to early spring are the best times for solar panel inspections and repairs, but summer is when cleanings are the most effective. This routine will help you catch solar efficiency issues early, which is crucial in the fluctuating Nevada climate.
Optimizing Your Nevada Solar Energy
If you have residential solar panels in Nevada and are building a maintenance schedule, Solar Optimum can help. Contact us to get a free solar panel estimate or download our Ultimate Guide To Going Solar.
