Community solar farms are increasingly recognized as an accessible way to benefit from solar energy. But how do solar farms maintain maximum energy generation? Solar energy efficiency is key. With advancements in technology and smart solar farm maintenance practices, the reliability of a community solar farm is more secure than ever.

Thermal Drone Photography

Fun Fact: The quality control specialists at Nautilus Solar are licensed drone operators!

One of the most important ways to ensure panel functionality across a community solar farm is with thermal drone photography. Drones equipped with infrared cameras fly over solar installations to capture temperature data.

In this photo, the solar panels in the farm are all various shades of yellow and orange, representing their relative surface temperatures.

Brightly colored panels can sometimes indicate that they aren't functioning as efficiently as adjacent panels. These are crucial for monitoring and maintaining solar farm performance throughout its lifespan.

Why do they appear brighter instead of darker if they aren’t functioning properly?

This is because the panel isn’t absorbing energy as well as adjacent panels. These early warnings allow technicians to address problems before they become serious, ensuring that the solar farm remains at peak efficiency and is retaining as much energy as possible for subscribers.

Snowy Weather and Moving Panels

Did You Know: When the sun shines on snow, it acts like a giant reflector, bouncing even more sunlight onto solar panels! This means snowy days can boost solar energy efficiency during the winter.

At our community solar farms in Maine, New York, and Minnesota, snow accumulation on solar panels can be a concern. When snow settles on solar panels, it can reduce their energy production by blocking sunlight.

However, solar technology, such as the NexTracker system, has improved panel performance in these conditions. NexTracker is a tracking system that moves solar panels along an axis to follow the sun’s path throughout the day, optimizing energy generation.

This also helps with solar farm maintenance! By adjusting the tilt of the panels, snow buildup can melt and slide off easier.

The ability to tilt the panels at steeper angles prevents the panels from staying covered for extended periods, ensuring energy is being generated for households and businesses. This time lapse video was captured from our Tiffany solar farm in Norwich, New York.

Vegetation Management

Did You Know: Farming crops and growing vegetation under solar panels reduces water evaporation leading to healthier plants and lower water usage from irrigation!

Overgrown grass, weeds, or shrubs around solar panels can block sunlight and create maintenance issues by obstructing access to the panels for inspections or repairs.

Many solar farms employ specialized mowing techniques, using low-growing plants and grasses, like clover, around the panels to minimize maintenance needs.

Some farms even use sheep or other grazing animals to keep vegetation in check, reducing the need for heavy machinery and promoting an eco-friendlier approach to vegetation control.

Mowing plays a crucial role in preventing wildlife from nesting or overgrowth. By managing vegetation properly and ensuring quality control standards are met, community solar farms can generate sustainable energy for decades.

What is Community Solar?

Yes, with dedicated annual solar farm maintenance and quality control, community solar is a reliable solution for homes, apartments, and businesses that comes without the hassle and cost of rooftop solar.

Ready to join a solar community? Enroll today!