Let’s put an end to the never-ending discussion among solar panel owners: do you need to clean your solar panels?
The answer is short and simple: no. It’s not necessary to clean your solar panels, as the rain washes away dust, dirt, and other substances.
But, let’s also make one thing clear. The weather doesn’t clean them the same way as your hands do.
Manual cleaning is the best way to keep their efficiency high. And if you want to maintain their productivity levels, it’s advisabe to clean the panels every six months to a year.
Let’s help you keep the performance of your panel to the most of their capacities.
Learn everything you need to know about your solar panels and the right way to keep them clean!
Do Solar Panels Work Better When Cleaned?
A year of dust buildup will affect your solar panels’ performance by 4.4 percent. Now, 95% performance of the panels might seem enough to you.
Unfortunately, dust is not the only element that builds up on your solar panels. There are also birds dropping, pollen, leaves, etc.
Let’s be honest, rain can’t effectively remove all this buildup and unless you clean them regularly, their efficiency will decrease.
Can you Clean Solar Panels Yourself?
Cleaning solar panels is not complicated, and you can do it without hiring a professional. All you need is proper equipment and follow a few simple steps.
How Often Should I Clean my Solar Panels?
The frequency depends on the levels of dirt and pollution and rainfall in your area. Generally speaking, it’s recommended to clean them between 6 months and a year.
What is the Best Way to Clean your Solar Panels? Here are our top tips:
Here are some tips that may come in handy before starting with the cleaning of your solar panels.
#1 – Check the Weather Forecast
The best time to clean solar panels is on cool days. Pay attention to heat – if the weather is too hot, the glass may crack when the water is drying.
#2 – Check the Manufactures Manual
Before you first start cleaning your solar panels, check the manual – read it through so that you know what to do and, more importantly, what NOT to do while cleaning your solar panels. It’s important to check the instructions first to avoid causing any damage to the panels. That way you’ll know if you should turn them off, whether you should clean the undersite, and similar. If you don’t want to deal with this, get a professional cleaning service instead.
#3 – Use the Right Cleaners
When choosing cleaning products, keep away from any abrasive or heavy detergents. Stick to cleaners that have been approved for use with solar panels so that you avoid any potential damage to the glass.
You can even create your cleaning mix by adding one part of gentle soap and one of vinegar with eight parts of water.
How to Clean Solar Panels in 5 Easy Steps
Cleaning your solar panels will improve their efficiency and reduce energy costs.
First thing’s first: determine if you can clean the panels safely. If you can’t reach them with regular tools, use extensions and ladders.
Here is an easy step-by-step guide on how to clean your solar panels:
Tools You’ll Need
- Garden hose
- Sponge or soft cloth
- Soft Bristle brush
- Work Gloves
- Bucket
- Pole with a hook or threaded tip
- Vinegar (optional)
- Dish soap
If working on the roof, you also need.
- Extension ladder
- Protective rope and belt
- Helmet
- Telescopic hose wand
Step 1 – Shut the Solar Panels Off
Don’t clean solar panels while they’re active. Confirm the electrical currents produced by the solar panel and the one going into the house are off. Check the manufactures manual to learn how to shut off the system if you don’t know.
Step 2 – Remove Leaves and Dust with a Brush
Avoid smearing and spreading the dirt by using water right away on your solar panels. Instead, start the cleaning process by removing dust, dirt, and leaves with a soft brush. Use a telescopic extension pole to do it from the ground or an extension ladder to reach your solar panels. If you’ll be using a ladder to get to the panels, use a helmet for safety. Also, use gloves to protect your hands and keep them clean.
Step 3 – Spray Water on the Panels
Once you’ve removed as much dirt as possible with the brush, it’ll be time to use a garden hose to remove the rest of the dirt. Do not use high pressure to spray the solar panels as it may cause fine cracks on the glass surface.
Step 4 – Scrub the Areas with More Problems
Spraying water may not remove all the debris on your panels. Use a sponge or a soft cloth and water and brush off the dirt or bird poop that may be stuck on the surface. Do it with gentle circular motions, as aggressive scrubbing may scratch the panels.
Step 5 – Measure the Cleaning Impact
After you’ve cleaned your solar panels, you can compare the energy bills to measure the impact. The energy that a solar panel produces will depend on how clean it is. Comparing the bills, you’ll know if cleaning your panels was worth it.
Does Rainwater Clean Solar Panels?
As we mentioned before, rainwater will clean your solar panels to a certain extent. If you live in a dry area and the pollution levels are high, rainfall cleaning may not be enough to clean your panels. In those cases, you’ll have to do a manual cleaning.
Does your Solar Lease Cover Panel Maintenance?
The lease of solar panels covers all maintenance and repair required. What’s more, it covers system monitoring and insurance.
How Much Does it Cost to Clean Solar Panels?
If you clean solar panels yourself, it will only cost you what you spend on the supplies needed. Most of them you may already have at home.
If you decide to hire a professional to clean your solar panels, the charges range between $150 and $350. The price depends on the number of solar panels you have and their location.
FAQ
Is it OK to Hose off Solar Panels?
Yes. Using a hose is one of the best ways to clean your solar panels. Try not to use water pressure to remove stuck debris, as it may damage the glass. Also, remember to never clean the undersides.
Can I use Windex on Solar Panels?
That depends on the type of solar panel you have. Most are glass which makes Windex perfect. Yet, some solar panels come covered in plastic to protect them from dust and pollen. Also, remember not to use any abrasive product to clean your solar panels.
Can you Clean Solar Panels with Tap Water?
You can use tap water to clean your solar panels. If you want better results use distilled or deionized water.
Does Bird Poop Damage Solar Panels?
Bird poop is one of the substances that more damage can cause to your solar panels. It will not only reduce the panel’s efficiency. Bird poop can cause extra damage by hindering airflow, causing the system to overheat.
How do You Clean Cloudy Solar Panels?
You can clean the cloudy solar panels using a damp cloth.
How Much Water Does it Take to Clean Solar Panels?
It takes approximately 20 gallons of water per megawatt hour to clean solar panels. All solar panel technologies use moderate quantities of water.
A Recap: How To Effectivelly Clean Solar Panels
Despite the different opinions, it’s necessary to clean solar panels, unless we want to see their productivity decrease over time.
While you can do it yourself (simply follow our easy guide above), it’s up to you to decide whether you should hire a professional instead.
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