Solar System for Home Thailand: Maintenance Tips for Longevity

When installing PV solar systems in Thailand, rooftop temperatures can hit 60℃ in summer, the rainy season brings over two weeks of continuous rain, and the dry season is dusty. Without proper maintenance, equipment power generation can drop by half in just 3–5 years—which is a poor investment! Today, I’ll share the truth about PV solar maintenance: how to keep your system running efficiently for years with minimal daily effort. Fonrich’s equipment also includes many hassle-free designs in this regard, so let’s break it down step by step.

Daily Small Tasks: Don’t Skip Them—10 Minutes a Week Is Enough

1. Wipe Dust Off Solar Panels Weekly to Boost Generation by 10%

Thailand is extremely dusty, especially in Bangkok and Pattaya. Dust on solar panels can reduce power generation by 10%–15%—wasting precious sunlight!

Cleaning is simple: Grab a bucket of water and a soft brush (never use a hard wire brush—it will scratch the panel surface, leading to even more power loss) and scrub the panels from top to bottom. For stubborn stains like bird droppings or tree sap, dilute a little dish soap in water, wipe the area, then rinse with clean water.

Important note: Do not clean panels between 12 PM and 2 PM. Panels get hot enough to fry an egg during this time, and pouring cold water on them can cause cracking. The best times are after 7 AM or before 5 PM.

If you have Fonrich’s PV optimizers, it’s even easier: Install the SafeSolar App on your phone. If you notice a sudden drop in power generation from one panel, you only need to clean that specific panel—no need to wipe the entire rooftop, saving you time and effort.

2. Check Brackets and Wiring Monthly to Stay Prepared for Typhoons

Thailand’s typhoon season runs from May to October. Loose brackets or disconnected wiring can lead to major issues when a typhoon hits. Spend 5 minutes each month on these checks:

• First, gently shake the solar panel brackets. If they move, use a wrench to tighten the screws until the brackets are secure.

• Then, open the combiner box and inspect the terminals. If they look black or rusty, wipe them clean with a dry cloth.

Fonrich’s component wires are highly reliable: The plugs are UV-resistant, unlike ordinary plugs that become brittle after two years. You won’t need to replace the wires frequently, eliminating a common maintenance hassle.

Seasonal Maintenance: Focus on Key Tasks for Each Season

1. Rainy Season (May–October): Prioritize Leak and Short-Circuit Prevention

Thailand’s rainy season brings downpours, making rooftop leaks and equipment water damage common. Do these two things before the rainy season starts:

• Inspect the contact points between the solar panel brackets and the rooftop. If the waterproof sealant is cracked, reapply a new layer (use weather-resistant silicone sealant that can withstand rain) to prevent water from seeping into your home.

• Wrap waterproof tape around the terminals in the combiner box for extra protection.

After heavy rains: Open the combiner box and check for water droplets. If you find any, wipe them away with a dry cloth and use a fan to dry the box thoroughly—this prevents short circuits in the wiring.

2. Dry Season (November–April): Prevent Overheating and Remove Thick Dust

The dry season brings intense sunlight, high temperatures, and thick dust buildup—both can harm your system. Focus on these tasks:

• Install the inverter in a shaded area (e.g., a garage corner or balcony) with good ventilation. If it feels hot, place a small fan nearby to cool it down—keep the temperature below 60℃.

• Do a deep clean of the panels every two months. A soft brush won’t remove thick dust, so use a high-pressure water gun (set to low pressure) and spray the panels from the side. Never spray directly at the panels—this could damage them. A deep clean will significantly boost power generation.

Fonrich’s optimizers have a thoughtful design: If temperatures exceed 85℃, they automatically reduce power output to protect the equipment. You won’t need to constantly monitor temperatures during the dry season—one less thing to worry about.

3. Typhoon Season (June–August): Reinforce Brackets to Withstand Strong Winds

Typhoons in Thailand can reach Level 10, and we’ve seen solar panels blown down before. Before typhoons hit, reinforce your system:

• Retighten all bracket screws, especially those on the rooftop edges. For extra stability, have a technician add "diagonal supports" to the brackets.

• If the clamps holding the panels to the brackets are loose, replace them immediately. Fonrich’s clamps are made of aluminum alloy—much stronger than plastic clamps and less likely to loosen.

After a typhoon: Check if the panels have shifted or if the glass is cracked. If panels are misaligned, do not adjust them yourself—call a technician to fix it, as improper handling could damage the wiring.

Annual Professional "Checkup": Worry-Free and Secure

No matter how thorough your daily maintenance is, have a professional technician inspect the system once a year. Fonrich provides free annual inspections for clients, during which technicians perform three critical tasks:

1. Test panel efficiency: If a panel’s efficiency drops by more than 15%, it may have hidden cracks (caused by hail or pressure). Replace it promptly to avoid affecting the entire string’s performance.

2. Measure ground resistance: Ensure resistance is below 4 ohms—higher resistance increases the risk of electric shock.

3. Update equipment firmware: Fonrich releases regular firmware updates to fix minor bugs and improve durability. Technicians will handle this update for you, no action needed on your part.

Avoid These Mistakes to Extend Equipment Lifespan

• Don’t use laundry detergent or soap to clean panels: Laundry detergent is alkaline and will corrode the panel coating, reducing light transmittance and power generation. Use only clean water or diluted dish soap.

• Don’t repair faulty equipment yourself: PV systems carry high voltage—disassembling wiring can lead to electric shock. If the inverter malfunctions, replacing parts is complex. Always call Fonrich’s certified technicians (who hold DEDE certification) for repairs.

• Don’t assume "no faults mean no maintenance": Many issues build up gradually. For example, loose wiring may seem harmless at first, but over time it can overheat terminals—repairing this can cost tens of thousands of THB. Regular maintenance is far cheaper than major repairs.

Related Q&A

Q: I’m often away from home—how can I maintain the system remotely?A: Just install the Fonrich SafeSolar App. You can monitor the power generation of each panel on your phone. If one panel’s output drops, ask a neighbor to help clean it. If the App sends a fault alert, Fonrich’s after-sales team will proactively contact you to resolve the issue—no need for you to rush back.

Q: My solar panels are 10 years old, and power generation has dropped a lot—Is maintenance still useful?A: Absolutely! First, have a technician test the efficiency. If the drop is less than 20%, cleaning the dust and replacing aging wires can restore 10% of power generation. If the drop exceeds 30%, the panels may be too old. Fonrich offers a "trade-in program": You can offset the cost of new panels with your old ones, and power generation can be restored to over 80% of a new system—much more cost-effective than buying an entirely new setup.