Keeping Your Solar Panels Clean

While the maintenance and cleaning of your solar panels is minimal, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still need to get done. Keeping your panels clean will help ensure you have the highest efficiency panels possible and don’t have to worry about a bunch of debris, feces, etc. building up on your panels. Read this blog to learn when and how you should go about cleaning your panels.

How to Know When to Clean Your Panels

The first step is knowing when you should be cleaning your solar panels. If you live in a place where it rains a lot, you can count on the occasional downpour to take care of the solar panel cleaning. But what if you are living next to the sea? There’s a good chance you may notice a salt crust on your panels. People living on a farm may regularly see dust, husk or bird droppings and homes in industrial regions or airports might find oil stains on their panels. In such cases, washing solar panels regularly becomes a necessity.

The tilt of the solar panel also plays an important part in determining how much cleaning it needs. If the tilt of a panel is 5 degrees or less, rainwater can start leaving puddles that can lead to nasty stains after drying up.

How to Know When Your Panels Need an Inspection

A better thing to know is how often your solar panels should be inspected by your solar company. Routine upkeep can not only help ward off faults, but also determine whether your solar panels require any cleaning at all. You should get an annual inspection, and if your panels get dirty long before then, you should clean them off.

How to Wash Your Solar Panels

The first and most important step is to turn off the power box before heading out. Solar panels are best cleaned either early in the morning or evening time when they are cooler. They can heat up considerably during the midday hours and spraying cold water can cause them to crack, or the water can dry quickly, leaving mineral stains. Early morning dew can be used to soften the dirt as well.

Hard water or water that is high in mineral content can cause scaling on your solar panels and reduce their efficiency, so it’s best to avoid groundwater altogether. Consider using a water softener before washing your solar panels. Water from a RO (Reverse Osmosis) unit can be used, too. Finally, collected rainwater is a great option as well as it is inherently devoid of minerals.

Do Not Use Cleaning Agents

Caustic cleaning agents can damage the glass covering, so they are best avoided. Dishwashing soaps or outdoor glass cleaners are a better option here.

Consider using a squeegee with a long handle, or soft cloth to wipe the dust off the panels before dousing them with soft water. Next, squeegee them clean, then wipe the water off.

Things to Consider When Cleaning Solar Panels

• Don’t use metal cleaners or anything abrasive. You DO NOT want to scratch the glass cover as it can very adversely affect the performance of the panels.
• Consider contacting your installer if the solar panels are in an inaccessible region of your roof. Better safe than sorry.
• We do not suggest you go on your roof to clean your panels. Contact your solar company and they will recommend a company to clean your panels for you if you cannot clean them well enough from the ground.
• There will be stubborn, sticky stains. Don’t fight them. You just might end up damaging the panel. Treat them with a little patience, they will go.

Want to learn more about how to handle your solar panels and keep their efficiency up? Check out the HahaSmart blog!

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