Making the most out of your solar panels

Make sure that the solar panels are facing the right way

According to services offering solar panel repair in Burbank most of the solar panels in the world are facing the wrong way for their entire lifetime. According to professionals, solar panels have the ability to generate more power when they are facing west instead of the traditional south. According to a study carried out by the Pecan Street Research Institute who conducted the study of homes in Texas found that the homeowners who had their solar panels facing in the west direction, they were able to generate about 2% more electricity daily than those who didn’t.

Make sure to balance the production vs. consumption

It is a good idea to monitor the inverter if you want to see how much of the electricity is generated from your solar cells and if you compare that to how much electricity you are using, you can easily choose what to plug in and run inside the house based on what uses the most electricity. Always keep in mind that changes in the weather can also affect your production levels quite rapidly. Talk with professionals offering solar electrical panel installation in Burbank to find the optimum balance between your consumption and production.

Keep panels clean

A little cleanliness can help you go a long way with improving solar output over the lifespan of the array. When you keep the solar panels clean either manually or through professionals is an absolute must. It is crucial that you use a certified solar maintenance company when there is a need for cleaning of tricky parts—including bird droppings and other messy dirt accumulations on solar panels being outside at the mercy of the elements.

Use a monitoring system

Another great practice is to employ monitoring systems in your house that will help to keep an eye on the performance of the solar panel, so when there is a drop-in production, you will know that maintenance is required. There are tons of benefits of a monitoring system which includes keeping a track of the amount of energy that is being produced by the solar panels, visualizing of how the solar panels are benefiting the environment around you by things like CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, and seeing if any part of the solar power system needs repairing or maintenance. All of this information can be visually accessible through a mounted display or an app, which will give you access to up-to-the-minute information about your solar power system from anywhere in the world.

Knowing Your Electrical Panel

How does an electrical panel function?

Each circuit breaker is designed to trip in case of current overload. This is perhaps the most definite safety device in any electrical system. In case the breaker doesn’t trip and cut off the power, there can be serious consequences. Each circuit breaker is designed to carry a certain amount of current. If the amount exceeds the prescribed limit, the wires would overheat and there would be a possibility of fire. In modern electrical systems when the breaker trips, it is a very simple process to reset it. Unlike, in older homes, with conventional fuses, once the fuse is damaged with a surcharge, it needs an immediate replacement. If something severe goes wrong it is always advised to take it up with the professionals in charge of your electrical panel installation in Burbank or your city.

What should you do when something goes wrong?

Tripped breaker

As we mentioned earlier, a circuit breaker is designed to trip when the circuit has become overloaded. When too much power is being drawn, the breakers will trip. When that occurs, here is what you should be doing:

• Make sure you turn off the power to the items that are causing the breaker to trip in the first place.

• Find the electrical panel box. This is usually found in the basement of your house. In of apartments, it is often found in the entrance near the front door.

• Locate the tripped breaker. The lever will remain in between the “on” and the “off” positions when it has been tripped.

• Pull the lever all the way to the “off” position, then back to the “on” position to restore power.

Not only does a circuit breaker trip when the circuit is overloaded, but there are many other causes of it as well. 

• Short circuit: This can be a bit more challenging situation and is a bit more serious. When one hot wire touches another, it will result in a short circuit. This could be caused by a problem with the wiring in your home or there might be a problem with an item that you’ve plugged in. You will need to shut off the power to the outlet. Check the power cord for any melted areas in the wire, or any other damage or wear. Inspect the outlet itself, and check for any burning smell or any discolouration of any part.

• Ground fault: This is very similar to a short circuit. It is caused when a hot wire touches the ground wire. It could also happen when a hot wire touches the side of the metal outlet box. In case of any serious problems, you will need to look for the best electrical panel Repair in Burbank or a city near you.