Rooftop solar panels have changed the game for homeowners looking to power their homes with clean, affordable energy. But to make the most of the investment and keep your solar panels in top working order regular maintenance is essential. After all, solar panels take a beating in the elements day in and day-out.
In this guide on how to clean solar panels, we cover everything you need to know about cleaning solar panels, from the best techniques (and what to avoid) to when you need to call in a professional.
To understand why cleaning solar panels is so important, it’s helpful to understand how they work. Put simply, solar panels house photovoltaic (PV) cells, which produce electricity when they’re exposed to sunlight. To protect them from the elements, but still allow light to filter through, these PV cells are covered by a clear glass casing.
Over time, this glass casing gets dirty. It accumulates dust, bird droppings and dirt that won’t simply wash off in the rain. Over time, this layer of grime reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the PV cells, reducing the solar panels’ output. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar panel ‘soiling’ as it’s called, can reduce solar output by as much as 50 per cent in some countries.
Now you know why cleaning solar panels is important, here’s how to clean solar panels in five simple steps. And spoiler alert – you don’t need any special equipment!
To clean your solar panels you will need:
Before applying any cleaning solution it’s a good idea to rinse the panels to remove any loose dust from the surface. This will also help to soften up any more stubborn pieces. If your garden hose reaches the panels, you can try using it on a gentle setting, otherwise simply pouring water from a bucket onto the panel will do the trick. The trick is to be gentle with solar panels, so avoid the temptation to use a pressure washer.
Once the panels are damp, apply your cleaning solution with a soft cloth or squeegee, and wipe the panels. If you have stubborn debris it can be a good idea to leave the solution to work its magic for a few minutes, but do note that cleaning solution can dry out quickly on solar panels. If you’re still having trouble removing tough spots, it’s ok to use a soft-bristled brush to scrub at them, but avoid using anything abrasive like metal scourers or wire brushes that could damage the panels.
If your solar panels are out of reach, a soft broom can help you with this step. That said, you should always be as close to the panels as you can be and should avoid reaching unsafely as it can increase your risk of falling.
Once you’ve finished wiping the panels, rinse them with clean water to remove the cleaning solution and grime. Depending on how long it’s been since you cleaned them, you may need to apply some more cleaning solution to remove any remaining dirt.
Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the panels dry and remove any cleaning residue. A car chamois works really well for this if you’ve got one. While it can tempting to leave the panels to dry out in the sun, it’s better to wipe them dry to avoid any residue being left on the panels which might impair their function.
If you choose to clean your panels yourself, it’s essential to consider your personal safety. Specifically:
When it comes to how to clean solar panels, the motto of ‘gently does it’ is the ticket. Treat them like you would windows. With that in mind, here are some things to avoid when cleaning solar panels:
Just like it’s a good idea to clean your gutters twice a year, most experts recommend cleaning your solar panels roughly twice a year. Semi-regular cleaning is important to keep the surface of the solar panels free of dust and grime that can reduce the amount of sunlight that makes it to the PV cells.
But as with all roof maintenance, this is a rough guide, and you should keep in mind your location when considering how often to clean your solar panels. For example, if you live in an outback area of Australia where there’s more dust, you might need to clean your panels more frequently than twice a year. By comparison, if you live in an alpine or coastal region where you get more frequent snow or rain that helps to wash away dirt before it can accumulate, you might only need to clean them once a year.
The proximity of your solar panels to trees on your property will also influence how dirty they get. If you have trees around your house, chances are your panels will accumulate more bird droppings. Depending on the type of tree you have, they may also be more exposed to tree sap, or deciduous leaves that can leave marks on your solar panels over time.
Generally speaking, time is your best guide to when your solar panels are due for a clean. If it’s been longer than six months, it’s a good idea to clean them—or book in a professional solar panel cleaner. In some cases though, particularly if you’ve never cleaned your solar panels, system performance might give you an indication that it’s time to clean the panels. As we mentioned above, dirt and dust accumulation can reduce the efficiency of your system by up to 50 per cent, so if you’ve been observing a steady decline in power output, it’s a good idea to inspect your panels.
While it’s possible to clean solar panels yourself, it’s often a good idea to call in an expert. Cleaning solar panels isn’t difficult, but it can be unsafe. Often, solar panels are mounted on sloped sections of the roof, and may be quite high up making them challenging to reach from a safe position. The risk of slipping on a metal roof is also increased because of the water you’ll be splashing around to clean the panels.
Specifically, it’s a good idea to call an expert if:
Sources
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