A solar-powered all in one light is much easier to take care of as compared to a conventional street light. The reason behind this convenience is that the solar street light does not operate using a lot of wires and connections. The simplicity of the structure makes it easy to maintain.
Solar panels are inexpensive to maintain because you do not need to hire a specialist, you can do most of the work yourself. Worried about the maintenance of your solar street lights? Well, read on to find out the basics of solar street light maintenance.
Clean the Panels
A lot of debris and dust accumulates on the outer screen of the panels over time and can hinder their ability to absorb sunlight. It is important to clean the panels at least every six months. Regular cleaning will make sure the panels function effectively.
It might sound reckless, but cleaning the panels is almost like cleaning your car. So, the first step is to use a hose to get them wet. This will wash off all the loose dust particles and debris, after that use soapy water with a soft bristle brush and scrub off the rigid layer of dust from the panels. Be careful not to scrub too hard.
After this wash off all the soap with water and make sure no residues of soap are left on the panels. Also, do not forget to dry the water at the end to avoid any spots of dried water.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
The less shady the spot of the solar street light panels is, the more sunlight they will absorb. As a result, more power will be generated. Removing shade-creating objects from the path of the sunlight is a crucial step in taking care of solar street lights.
Keep a keen eye on the shrubs and tree branches that grow around your solar street light and trim them regularly so they don’t hinder the power generation
Clean the Light Globes
If you have been noticing dim light in the globes of your solar street light, the solar panel and battery might not be the reason. At times, it is the globe that needs to be cleaned. As they are exposed to the outdoor environment most of the time, dust and debris do cover the outer covering of the globe. So, better take them off the pole and thoroughly clean them with soap water. Do not forget to dry the water at the end to give them some more luster.
You can also clean the globes without taking them off the pole. Firstly, make sure the power is turned off, so you don’t get electrocuted. Then use a window cleaning spray and a soft duster to gently rub off the dust and stains from the glass globe. This approach is suitable if you clean your globes frequently and they are not covered in layers of dirt.
Check Battery Corrosion
Corrosion on the battery or its connections can cause a significant decrease in the electric output of the solar street light. To inspect the battery, carefully dismantle it from the fixture and then check for any dust or light corrosion near the connections and other metallic parts.
If you find some rust, just get rid of it with a soft bristle brush. If the corrosion is hard and the soft brush cannot remove it, then you should use sandpaper. You can also try some home remedies for removing rust. However, if you find that most of the battery is corroded, you should consider replacing it, especially if it has been functioning for at least 4 to 5 years.
Check the Connections and Wires
You should check for any possible damaged wires and broken connections every 3 to 6 months. Following this step will significantly increase the life span of your solar street light. Do a detailed analysis of the wires and if you spot any irregularity or problem in the wires, change them before a little problem shuts down the whole system.
While most of the maintenance tips provided in this blog are quite simple and can be done easily, we would suggest hiring a professional electrician if you have to replace a wire. The solar street lights are very compact and have intricate wiring that will be hard to understand for an inexperienced person. It is also not safe to fix electric wires without expert supervision.
Conclusion
Solar street lights are quite simple to use, but like all other electric appliances, they need to be used with care. Maintaining the solar street lights properly will add to their lifespan and give you your money’s worth. The maintenance is not hard, all you have to do is be aware of the state of the solar light and catch the problem before it affects the electricity production drastically.
