How to Clean Your Solar Panels

Whether you are a homeowner or business owner with a series of solar panels on your property, keeping them clean can be a concern. If your solar panels are too dirty to collect energy, the investment in the system won’t be worth it. Fortunately, keeping your solar panels clean isn’t very difficult at all.

According to EverGreen Solar, the National Council for Solar Growth, most solar panels will accumulate a bit of dirt and debris over time, lowering their efficiency by only five percent. However, a variety of situations can lead to much more debris and a much higher percentage of solar loss.

It can be tough to tell if you even need to clean your solar panels or how often you may need to clean them. The best thing to do is monitor your energy bill to see if there has been a significant drop in energy collection. This could mean the panels are very dirty or that there is a connection issue that requires professional maintenance.

Solar Panel Upkeep and Cleaning

Keeping your solar panels clean and properly maintained is important for several reasons. Clean panels absorb more power and provide you with as much electricity as possible. They also last longer and avoid the need for repairs or replacements for many years.

Cleaning your solar panels and keeping them in top condition is easy. Here are a few things to consider when performing maintenance on your solar panel system:

Choose a cool day to clean your panels

Performing any kind of solar panel maintenance should always be done on a cool or cloudy day. Solar panels absorb a lot of solar energy and that includes the heat from the sun. The dark surface of these panels can make them extremely hot to the touch.

Cleaning solar panels on a hot day can be very difficult. When the surface is so hot, soap and water will dry up almost instantly. It will also be risky to clean a hot solar panel due to the risk of burns. Waiting for a cool, dry, cloudy day to clean the panels or perform any type of maintenance is always a good idea.

Choose your cleaning tools and soap wisely

When cleaning your panels, it’s best to use cleaning agents that are designed to be safe when applied to the panels. There are many solar panel cleaners on the market that are made with the right blend of chemicals and natural ingredients to ensure your panels are cleaned well without causing damage.

It’s also important to consider the type of brushes or towels you will use when cleaning your solar panels. Never use rough brushes or steel wool, as these will cut into the panels and deteriorate them. Soft brushes and cleaners with no harsh chemicals are your best bet.

Hire a professional to clean the panels

Sometimes, the best option for taking care of your solar panels is to hire a professional for the job. An expert with experience in maintaining and cleaning solar panels will know the right type of cleaning products for your panels. They will also have the best tools to make the job as easy as possible.

Typically, solar panel installation companies will be able to help you with maintaining your panels. They often provide maintenance services that include cleaning, checking electrical connections, and repairing any small issues they find with the system.

With proper maintenance, your solar panel system can stay in great condition and provide you with many years of electricity generation. For major repairs or replacements to your solar panel system, turn to BD Electrical.