Why Does It Matter If My Solar Panels Are Cleaned?

 

Panels that are covered with an excessive amount of dirt or debris can start producing less power. The reduction in power is between 1 and 4.7 percent. According to the findings of one study, prolonged dirt buildup on solar panels can reduce the amount of electricity produced by the panels by as much as 25 percent.

The good news is that rain or snowmelt during the appropriate seasons will typically remove any dirt or bird droppings that may have accumulated. However, if there is very little precipitation in your region and the weather is often dry, windy, or dusty your panels will need to be cleaned more frequently. While some property owners feel comfortable washing the panels themselves, others choose to have a trained expert like Outdoor Keepers do the job instead.

 

What are the telltale signs that it's time to clean my solar panels?

Carry out a visual check once a month to check for any obvious signs of dust accumulation. In addition, you can check your electric bill or the monitoring app on your solar system to see whether there has been a decrease in production. If so, you will need to start worrying about cleaning your solar panels.

 

How Should I Clean My Solar Panels, and What Should I Use?

The good news is that cleaning solar panels is not a difficult task for ground-mounted systems or for some rooftop solar systems that are installed on standard homes or businesses. You typically can use a hose and a soft brush with an extended handle, similar to the kind of brush used to clean the exterior of an RV or truck. In most cases, water is sufficient; however, fingerprints, stains, or dirt that have accumulated on the glass can be removed with over-the-counter glass cleaners or with a solution consisting of 3% soap and water.

 

A high-pressure hose nozzle with an attachment that contains the cleaning solution could be effective in this situation if the panels are difficult to access but we highly suggest calling a professional before attempting it yourself.

You should check with your solar energy provider to find out what maintenance tasks are covered before you decide to clean the panels on your own. When it comes to many leases, the cleaning is provided at no additional cost; however, if you own the property, you need to be sure that you do not use any tools or cleaning procedures that would void the guarantee on the property.