Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular for supplying energy to our homes. So, it’s only necessary to know how to clean solar panels. While a solar energy system allows you to passively produce renewable energy for your home, you may need to replace your panels on occasion. There are numerous factors that can influence the amount of electricity produced by your solar panels. However, dirty solar panels can be one of the most significant, as well as the simplest to repair.
The amount of energy generated by solar panels is determined by the amount of sunlight absorbed, so if solar panels are dirty, they are not as efficient as they could be. Although it is not strictly necessary to clean solar panels, failing to do so may result in a loss of value and efficiency. Not to worry, in this article, we’ll explain how you can clean your solar panels.
Two Ways of Checking if Solar Panels Need Cleaning
There are two methods for determining whether your solar panels require cleaning in the first place and these are:
1. Physical inspection
The first step is to physically inspect the panels for debris, dirt, bird droppings, and so on. You should inspect your solar panels on a regular basis. Especially if the weather is bad or there is a lot of dust in the area.
2. Monitoring service
The other option is to use a monitoring system, which alerts you to how well your solar panels are working and performing. This can notify you of any system maintenance requirements, whether mechanical, electrical, or cleanliness-related.
Read about: Solar Daily in our life
Two Ways of Cleaning Solar Panels
After inspecting your solar panel system and discovering that it is dirty, the panels surely need cleaning. So, there are several ways to accomplish this, some of which are easier than others. While some of them are less expensive than you might expect.
1. Clean it Yourself
The first option, and perhaps the most obvious, is to clean the panels yourself. So, you can clean the surface of each panel quite easily with common household cleaning products. Warm water and dishwashing soap, for example, will remove dirt that has accumulated over time. The only difficult part is getting there safely. If you can do this, awesome; if not, the second option may be a better option.
Keep in mind that you should not use a high-pressure water sprayer to clean your solar panels. A high-pressure attachment can cause damage to the solar panels, and you obviously don’t want that.
If you want to use a little soap on your sponge, use something you’d use to clean your dishes. Laundry detergents and other harsh chemicals may have an adverse effect on your solar panels. Remember that in 99% of cases, plain water works best.
2. Hire Professional Services
There are solar panel cleaning services available for hire, these professionals know how to clean solar panels. The main issue is locating one that is both good and reputable. When it comes to recommendations, your installer is the best person to ask because they can also advise you on how much it should cost and how often the panels should be cleaned, saving you money.
The primary reason for hiring a professional cleaning service is to avoid damaging the panels. Unlike the average person, professionals use specialized equipment that does not scratch or break the panels while cleaning. Professionals know exactly how to clean solar panels.
While cleaning them yourself may appear to be a great way to save money, it is also a risk to not only your solar system and the panels’ warranties but also to your own safety. And that is not worth any amount of energy savings.
Read about: Solar System at Home
How Often Should You Clean Solar Panels
The frequency with which you clean your solar panels is primarily determined by where you live:
1. Solar panels in desert climates require more frequent cleaning. This is due to the large amount of dust and sand that can affect the output of a solar energy system.
2. Solar panels in polluted areas near highways, factories, and airports should also be cleaned more frequently to avoid pollutant residue buildup caused by heavy machinery nearby.
3. Solar panels in heavily wooded areas should be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid obstructions caused by overgrown vegetation and bird droppings.
Is Cleaning Solar Panels Worth it?
Some people believe that cleaning solar panels is far too difficult to even consider, but this reduces its efficiency as dirt accumulates on the panels’ surface. Dust accumulation on solar panels actually affects its performance, but it is not a significant enough factor in some locations to warrant cleaning. If the decrease in power output is minor and the household’s power consumption is still covered by the panels, the cleaning may not be worth the additional investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best cleaning solution for solar panels?
Cleaning with dish soap and a soft sponge or rag has proven to be the best cleaning solution.
2. Can I clean my own solar panels?
Yes, you can clean solar panels yourself using a bucket of water, dish soap, and a low-pressure hose. They are effective if you know how to clean solar panels.
3. Is it permissible to use pressure washers with solar panels?
While pressure washers are useful for cleaning other parts of your home, you shouldn’t use them on solar panels to avoid damaging them and creating cracks.
4. Is it necessary to clean your solar panels?
While rain will naturally clean off debris, making a concerted effort to clean your panels will result in increased solar panel performance.
5. When should you clean your solar panels?
To maximize the efficiency of your solar panels, we recommend that you clean them every six months to a year.
Conclusion
If cleaning solar panels appears to be more dangerous than beneficial, hiring a professional is a viable option for increasing solar output. Even though solar panels do not require constant cleaning, build-up removal is part of their maintenance. Finding a solar panel cleaning professional is the best option for situations that are too complicated to handle with a garden hose and sponge. Only solar panels that are easily and safely accessible needs cleaning without the assistance of a professional.
