Author: Solar Bear

Can Dirty Panels Produce Less Solar?

If your solar panels could talk, they’d say one thing loud and clear: “Wash me.” And they’re not just being vain. When it comes to capturing rays and turning them into real, usable energy, cleanliness isn’t optional—it’s an absolute must. So, yes: dirty solar panels can absolutely produce less power. Keep reading to find out how, why, and what to do about it.

Your Panels Work Best When They’re Clean

Solar panels don’t need to sparkle like a showroom car, but they do need to be clear enough for sunlight to get through. Dust, pollen, bird droppings, leaves—anything that lands on the glass creates a filter between the sun and the technology underneath. Less sunlight means less electricity. It’s that simple.

In sunny spots like Tampa, even a light film of grime can cut into your system’s performance. Multiply that over a period of weeks or months without rain or a rinse? You could be looking at a 5–30% drop in energy output—just from dirt.

What Happens When Solar Panels Dirty?

When solar panels are dirty, you lose efficiency—and you don’t always notice right away. Most homeowners don’t stare at their kilowatt-hour reports over morning coffee. But over time, dirty panels can mean:

• Higher electric bills
• Longer return-on-investment periods
• More reliance on the grid (especially in summer)

One MIT study even explored electrostatic panel-cleaning solutions—because the loss from grime is that big of a deal. You don’t need high-tech science to keep yours efficient, though. You just need to stay proactive.

Clean Panels = More Energy + More Savings

Keeping your panels clean doesn’t require elbow grease every weekend. In Florida’s humid, subtropical climate, regular rain helps—but it’s not enough. Just like your windshield still needs a wash after a storm, your panels do too. Here’s what we recommend:

• Professional panel cleanings twice a year
• Visual checkups every few months (especially after storms or pollen season)
• Keeping surrounding trees trimmed to minimize debris

And if you’re ever unsure what’s normal? That’s what Solar Bear of Tampa is here for.

What If I Forget (or Avoid) Cleaning?

Well, it’s not the end of the world. If you don’t clean your solar panels, your system will still work—just not as well. But the good news? This is an easy win.

One simple cleaning can bring your system back to full power. That means you get more solar energy, along with more independence and more money saved. Not to mention the peace of mind that your setup is performing exactly the way it was designed to!

Call Solar Bear of Tampa—We’ll Help You Keep Things Bright

If you’ve invested in solar, keeping your system clean is part of the plan. And if it’s been a while since your last checkup or rinse, don’t sweat it. Solar Bear of Tampa knows exactly how to keep your panels shining—and your savings climbing. Call now to schedule your cleaning or ask us anything: (727) 353-3886. We want to keep your solar system—and your energy bills—clear and clean!

How Can You Prevent Inverter Failure In Solar Systems?

Inverter failures are one of the worst things that can go wrong with a solar panel system. Thankfully, it’s also easily preventable! You just need the right equipment in the hands of trained professionals. When you want to make sure your solar panel system runs smoothly, leave it to the experts at Solar Bear Tampa! Reach out today for a free quote.

Why Solar Inverters Can Fail In Tampa

Other states have it easy when it comes to solar panel maintenance. Homeowners in Tampa have a little more to worry about given the local climate. Unfortunately, that’s part of the reason why solar inverters sometimes fail for property owners in Florida.

What does a solar inverter do?

Solar inverters are responsible for converting direct current from the solar panels into alternating currents used for home appliances. Any disruptions to this flow can be dangerous and result in costly damages.

When a solar inverter fails, it can be due to:

• Electrical surges
• Overheating
• Degrading parts
• Poor installation
• Environmental factors

Want to know more about your Tampa solar panel system? Read our FAQ page on solar panels to learn more about how they work!

The Key to Preventing Solar Inverter Failures

As you can see, there are a multitude of causes that can end in your solar inverter completely failing and becoming a liability in Tampa. To prevent this from happening, we must understand the main goal of implementing preventive measures. In this case, the goal lies in preemptive measures going all the way back to the installation process.

Effective Methods For Preventing Solar Inverter Failures

Here are some of the best preventive measures you can take to ensure that your solar panel system and solar inverter are working properly:

1. Expert Solar Panel Installation

There are many homeowners in Tampa who will be tempted to install solar panels themselves to save on the cost of labor. Not only is this dangerous during installation, but it is also unsafe for extended use. Only solar power professionals in the area know all of the methods and techniques to use to prevent solar inverter failure such as installing the right size inverter and more.

2. Applying Surge Protection

Just like you would use a power brick to safely manage electrical devices in the home, adding surge protection to your solar panel system can help prevent overheating and blowouts that would cause an inverter to completely fail. Lightning arrestees are a popular choice in Tampa for protecting against surges caused by lightning.

3. Regular Solar Panel Inspections

The best form of prevention is by close monitoring. That goes for almost everything. Gum disease, car breakdowns, and solar inverter failure. Solar panel experts have an eye for impending disaster and can let you know if your solar panel system needs maintenance or repairs.

My Solar Inverter Failed Despite My Efforts. What Do I Do?

If your solar inverter fails on the spot, here is what you can do in response:

1. Swap over to grid power to keep electricity flowing to your home.
2. Use backup power generators if necessary to keep the house powered.
3. Call a professional immediately for prompt repairs.

Having Solar Problems? Leave It to Solar Bear Tampa!

Solar Bear Tampa does everything from safe solar panel installation to regular solar panel maintenance and more. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to book an appointment for comprehensive solar power services you can count on! We’ll use our expertise to ensure that your solar inverter doesn’t fail so you can rest easy in your new solar-powered ecosystem.

How Long Can You Run A Solar-Powered Generator For?

In disaster-prone areas like Florida, having backup power is an essential that you almost can’t live without. You might already know that homes with solar panels can also use a generator, but the real question is how long can you leave it running? Power outages can last for days at a time which is why it’s critical to know how long you can run your solar-powered generator. Find out everything you need to know to protect yourself in this detailed guide! For expert solar panel installation in your area, Solar Bear Orlando is just a call away.

All The Stats You Need to Know About Your Solar-Powered Generator

With a basic setup, a solar-powered generator can run anywhere between 8-12 hours. That’s enough to get you through the night, but what about the days after that? On the off chance that you’ll need to power your home for multiple days at a time in Orlando, you’ll need to equip your solar panel system for the long haul.

But first, a couple of other statistics that you need to know:

• A fully-charged solar battery can hold its power for roughly a year. This means you can store your excess solar power away for a rainy day for quite some time!
• Solar panel systems can be put through around 500 cycles of full charging. This gives you plenty of opportunities to prepare for an outage with a solar-powered generator on standby.

Solar power is an industry full of opportunities. We are quickly seeing new innovations arise that present more ways to power and protect your home using solar panels in Orlando.

Factors That Can Impact Your Solar-Powered Generator’s Runtime

8 to 12 hours may be the standard for the common solar panel system, but the available possibilities are far greater. Getting the most of your solar-powered generator in Orlando can be achieved in a number of ways:

1. Larger generators have a higher capacity for solar power, increasing the number of hours you can route solar energy to your home during an outage.

2. As long as you have sunlight, your solar panels can continue to charge your backup battery to sustain your home for longer periods if needed.

3. Swapping to low-power alternatives for home appliances can reduce the device load on your backup solar-powered generator so it doesn’t drain nearly as quickly.

The key to a longer-running solar-powered generator is to match your energy consumption rate to your maximum power output so you don’t overwork your system. Practice this and add upgraded solar appliances for optimal runtime!

Here Are Your Solar Battery Types:

• Lead-acid solar batteries have been the common choice for a while mainly due to their affordability and availability, but might not be the most energy-efficient option for what you need them for.
• Lithium-ion solar batteries are the more energy-efficient option in Orlando, providing optimal performance, a longer lifespan, and low maintenance for your solar panel system.

Choosing the right type of battery to pair with your solar-powered generator can also affect how well (or poorly) your system responds under intense circumstances like a power outage.

Let Solar Bear Orlando Set Up Your Solar-Powered Generator For Reliable Performance!

Want to make sure your solar-powered generator runs like it should when it matters? Trust your local solar experts at Solar Bear Orlando for reliable solar panel installation and more! We’re the top choice for all of your solar needs in Florida. Contact us today for a free estimate!

What Will Solar Look Like Under The Trump Administration?

Here in the Sunshine State, the future of solar energy is bright, but recent changes in the political realm may cast shadows on its future growth.

Today, our team at Solar Bear Orlando discusses how the Trump administration’s policies might impact our industry and what that might mean for Orlando homeowners who are hoping to install a solar array.

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Soon after stepping back into office, President Trump signed an executive order that proposes to temporarily suspend further funding to the Inflation Reduction Act, which encompasses the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit. It currently provides a 30% tax credit for qualifying solar installations.

The specifics of the executive order are unclear, and any changes to the ITC will require a new law being passed by Congress. For the past few administrations, there has been bipartisan support for solar energy, and in his last term, President Trump signed legislation to extend solar tax credits, so that is a good sign.

Plus, the ITC is vital to many industries and companies. Eliminating the ITC would halt current large-scale solar projects that contribute to green energy and job creation here in the United States. Over 200,000 jobs depend on solar energy.

*Note: We would like to emphasize that we are solar experts, not legislators or tax experts, so we recommend that you see your accountant if you have any questions concerning any policies or tax incentives.

Read More > Will Solar Prices Increase This Year?

Tariffs

As you are likely aware, the Trump administration has also put in place tariffs on many of our trade partners, including China. This could have a major impact on the solar industry. These tariffs could lead to an increase in prices for imported solar components, making the initial investment into solar even more of a challenge for many people.

That said, there is also an opportunity for manufacturers here in the United States to step up and boost the economy while creating jobs in the solar sector by building these components here.

We know that the impact of tariffs can be stressful, but we also recommend that Florida homeowners consider the long-term benefits of solar energy, which can outweigh the initial costs of installation that might be impacted by tariffs. The return on investment from reduced electricity bills and available tax incentives can still be significant despite higher upfront costs due in part to tariffs. 

Though these tariffs will certainly pose many challenges, they should also be viewed as a catalyst for growth and innovation here locally.

And remember, these situations with the ITC and tariffs are still developing, and the long-term impact of any policies or changes is yet to be fully understood. If you are planning to install solar, we recommend doing it now before any changes or tariffs are implemented.

Lean on Solar Bear Orlando

While recent political policies, potential tariffs, and changes to the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit are hanging in the balance and may present challenges for the solar industry as a whole, we are optimistic about the future of solar in our amazing state.

The benefits of going solar remain despite any political issues, and the advantages of reduced electricity costs and available local tax incentives still offer Central Florida residents significant returns on investment.

Ready to go solar or want to learn more about the available tax credits? Call our friendly team at Solar Bear Orlando at (727) 471-7442. We’re always here to help!