Solar panels are a worthwhile investment for any home or business owner. They are a clean, renewable, and sustainable energy source that reduces your carbon footprint, and your energy bills at the same time. And, better yet, they are very low maintenance. With that being said, you may need to clean your solar panels in some circumstances. Let's take a look at why you should clean them, and how.
Solar panels are designed to be self-cleaning. They are typically fitted with enough of a tilt that the run-off from rainwater naturally cleans the panels without any effort needed.
So in many cases, no you will not need to clean your solar panels or hire a professional to clean them for you. There are, however, some situations where this self-cleaning system doesn't work as it should, and your solar panels will need some manual cleaning.
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Because the self-cleaning mechanism relies on rain, if there is a long period of dry weather, the dirt and grime won't get washed off. It can then become ingrained and may not be removed as normal the next time there is rain.
For the self-cleaning mechanism to work as it should, the angle of the solar panels needs to be more than five degrees. Anything less than this, and the water won't run off efficiently enough to effectively clean the panels.
If you live next to a busy road, a construction site, or in a coastal area, there is likely to be more dirt, dust, and debris on your solar panels. This may mean that they are more likely to need cleaning.
Dirty solar panels don't just look unsightly, but accumulated dirt and debris like bird droppings, leaves, and dust can affect the solar panel efficiency. This is because a covering of dirt will block some of the sunlight from reaching the solar cells.
Ensuring that the maximum amount of sun penetrates your solar panels allows them to work at their maximum efficiency, which means you'll get the most electricity out of them possible.
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If you can access your solar panel system from the floor, it can be possible to clean it yourself. If, however, the only access to your solar panels is on the roof you should leave it to the professionals. Without the proper safety equipment and training, any work on a roof can be very dangerous.
This is especially the case for solar panels because of the large amount of electricity that runs through them. Even with the power turned off, there will still be electricity in the cables. If a cable is damaged and you touch it, you could be electrocuted.
Let's take a look at how best to clean solar panels, assuming they can be accessed safely by someone with the right training and equipment.
Before cleaning solar panels, you should always ensure that the system is turned off. Keep a watchful eye for any damaged cables and if you see one, stop what you are doing immediately and ring a professional for help.
You should make sure that you are using all necessary safety equipment, such as a safety harness, non-slip shoes, protective gloves, etc.
You should avoid cleaning your solar panels during the hottest part of the day. When the water evaporates too quickly, it can leave streaks on the solar panels.
The ideal time for solar panel cleaning is early in the morning. The morning dew will help to shift any grime on your solar panels.
Use a soft brush or broom to remove any loose dirt or debris from the solar panels, such as leaves. Remember to be gentle and don't press too hard.
Once you have removed any loose debris from the solar panels, use a hose with a nozzle to spray the panels with water. This will wash off any remaining loose dirt.
Do not use a pressure washer on your solar panels as this could cause damage.
Often, simply dry cleaning and then spraying the solar panels with water will be enough to clean them. Sometimes, however, a little bit of soap can help to remove any stubborn dirt.
In a bucket, mix a small amount of dish soap or a mild detergent with warm water. Use a soft cloth dipped in the water to gently scrub the dirt away. Don't press too hard as this could damage the panel.
It is best, if possible, to use an environmentally friendly and chemical-free cleaning solution. Any runoff that reaches plants or nearby animals won't harm them if it is a safe soap.
Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your solar panels as this could scratch or damage them.
Once you have cleaned the solar panels with soap and water, you will need to remove the soap residue as this could cause streaks and could even block some of the sunlight from hitting the solar cells.
Again, use a hose with a nozzle to spray water over the entire solar panel system.
You can leave your solar panels to air dry if you aren't worried about streaking. Air drying won't affect the performance of the solar panels.
If, however, you want your solar panels to be streak-free, you can manually dry them. Just like windows, this is best done with a squeegee or chamois.
Use a squeegee or chamois to remove excess water, working from the top of the panel to the bottom. You can then use the chamois to buff the panel so that it is shiny and streak-free.
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If you live in a high-risk area, or your solar panels are at a shallow tilt, they may need more frequent cleaning. This should be once or twice a year, or more if you notice visible dirt or debris.
Manual checking of your solar panel system is important to check for any damage or dirt. A monitoring system, however, can give you clear data about how your solar panels are working.
The real-time data about the efficiency of your solar panels can help you to identify if there has been a drop that needs investigating. The system will often notify you if there has been a notable change in the performance of the solar panels.
In almost all cases, it is better to use a professional service for your solar panel cleaning. This is for a few different reasons.
Safety is of primary concern when cleaning solar panels. First, it usually involves working at height, which brings with it inherent dangers. Only people with appropriate training and equipment should ever attempt to do work on a roof.
Second, is the electricity involved. Solar panels run large amounts of electricity through them, which can be extremely dangerous. A solar panel professional will understand these dangers and take appropriate safety measures to protect themselves. They will also be able to identify any red flags for danger.
Solar panels are precise pieces of equipment and they rely heavily on their glass fronts being in perfect condition to allow enough sunlight through. Any damage or scratches will negatively affect the performance of the solar panels. A professional will have the necessary training to know how to clean effectively without causing damage.
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If your solar panel system is looking dirty, we can help. Our professional solar panel cleaning service will ensure that your solar panels are dirt-free and working at their maximum efficiency.
Our team of professional cleaning technicians is fully trained in all health and safety protocols for working with solar panels. We pride ourselves on cleaning to the highest standards, without any risk of damage to the solar panels themselves.
Contact us today to find out how we can help with your solar panel cleaning needs.
Solar panels often don't need cleaning. They are designed to self-clean by using rainwater run-off. If the tilt is too shallow or you live in an area where there is a lot of airborne dirt, however, they may need extra cleaning. In most cases, this is best left to a professional company because of the dangers involved.
