A well-oiled and serviced car performs better and lasts longer. A crystal-clear window is just as important to us as mud-free wheels. It should be no different when it comes to solar panels.
Our solar panels will provide us with energy for years to come if we maintain them properly, ensuring that they remain safe and perform at their optimum.
This article will discuss how to clean your solar panels effectively and situations that may require professional maintenance.
Clean Your Solar Panels Step-by-step
Step 1: Choose a cool time of the day
When the glass on the panels is heated by the sun, and the water is at a cooler temperature, a sudden temperature differential could result in cracked glass. In order to avoid these issues, it is best to clean the panels in the early morning when the temperature is cooler and there is little wind. This will ensure that the water does not evaporate too quickly, leaving behind residue or dirt.
It may be feasible to minimize the amount of water and energy required to clean your solar panels if they are exposed to dew during the night and cleaned early in the morning. If this is not feasible, a low temperature evening can serve as a viable substitute.
Step 2: Dislodge dust, leaves, or debris with a soft brush
There’s no need to invest in fancy cleaning solutions. Water and mild soap will do. Soft brushes with plastic bristles and cloth-covered sponges can be perfect tools.
Step 3: Spray panels with a garden hose
Step 4: Scrub with water and a soft brush, cloth, or sponge
For dust and grime accumulation on your panels, use a soft brush, cloth, or sponge during cleaning.
Use a good-quality soft brush, a plastic blade, or a cloth-covered sponge. Cleaning the panels from the ground is safer if you add an extended extension code.
Step 5: Rinse and dry
Tips For Cleaning Solar Panels
Never spray cold water on hot panels
Do not use caustic or abrasive chemicals.
If you must use soap, use nothing stronger or harsher than the dishwashing detergent you usually use.
A chemical-free, environmentally friendly soap is ideal since if it splashes off your roof, it won’t harm your animals or plants and won’t leave a nasty residue that could mark your panels.
Do not use a pressure washer.
Is It Worth It To Clean Your Solar Panels?
Cleaning solar panels absolutely helps in increasing their efficiency. Manually cleaning them is a better option as compared to just washin them with a spray hose as manual cleaning may help you get rid of certain substances that accumulate on the panels.
Undoubtedly, your panels will require thorough cleaning from time to time. Consider giving your panels a proper clean if you want them to last long and function efficiently.
It is critical to keep your solar panels clean over time to increase their efficiency.
What To Avoid When Cleaning Solar Panels?
Make sure you use the right supplies when cleaning your panels yourself to avoid damaging them. Avoid using:
- Soaps that contain chemicals or strong detergents can be damaging to the surface of solar panels
- Using abrasive cloths, sponges, or brooms with heavy teeth that can scratch the surfaces of your panels.
- It would be best to avoid standing on your solar panels, as the weight could crack them.
Regularly inspect your panels.
Why Professional Solar Cleaning Is The Ideal Option
Many homeowners believe they can easily clean and wash their solar panels. Theoretically, this may be true, but there are many reasons to get your solar panels professionally cleaned.
Professional solar panel cleaning has several benefits. Keeping the panels clean regularly is essential for their optimal performance.
Despite what many homeowners believe, rain does not clean solar panels as effectively as manual cleaning does. It would be best if you get them professionally cleaned to avoid damage by trying to clean them yourself since solar panels are very delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first step is to inspect the modules physically. If you find bird droppings, leaves, dirt, or dust on them, it’s time to clean the panels.
Secondly, you can monitor the output of the solar panels. If the production of the panels has decreased, you may need to clean them. If cleaning the solar panels fail to resolve the issue, you may need to consult an expert.
Rain can clean solar panels; however, this can only be possible to a certain extent. The rain can effectively wash away fine sand or dirt.
There are times, however, when sticky matter gets on the panels, like bird droppings, that need to be cleaned off by hand. For these panels to be clean, human labour is required.
