While it is becoming more important for solar owners to understand that solar panels need to be cleaned at least once a year, there are right ways to do it and several wrong ways to do it. But you should remember that pressure-washing is not a good way to clean your solar panels. Read this article and try to figure out why.
Why Do You Need To Clean Solar Panels
Your solar panels are typically flat, tilted and installed on your rooftop if you have a residential solar energy system. When washed, how frequently is the roof? Not often, most likely never.
You might be asking, “Why is that? Isn’t that what rain is for?” The reasoning behind solar panels follows a similar pattern.
Most of the time, you won’t even need to clean your solar panels. After all, anything that collects dirt on them (such as dust or pollen) will be washed off the following time it rains.
However, there are some situations where cleaning your solar panels might be a good idea. It’s a good idea to clean the panels if there are a lot of bird droppings there because rain might not be able to easily wash them off.
Additionally, you might need to clean them occasionally if you live in a state that is prone to droughts or if the rain you do get is only very light and misty.
Does the quality of your solar panels get affected by dirt and debris? Well, yes and no, and if so, how much? Yes, dirt and other obstructions can limit the amount of sunlight that can be converted into energy. However, this effect is minimal.
However, the reduction in efficiency is minimal—perhaps 5% or less. This could result in a $20 loss on your energy bill with a typical 5kW solar system. not monthly, but rather generally.
Furthermore, even in drought-stricken regions, everything will eventually be washed away when it rains a few months later, making the trouble of cleaning it in the first place unnecessary.
Can You Pressure Wash Solar Panels
Solar panel pressure washing may seem like a good idea to make them sparkle, but as this task gains in popularity, problems have been discovered.
Between two pieces of glass, solar panels are vacuum sealed before being covered by a frame. There are three main issues that homeowners encounter under intense pressure:
The protective outer coating that surrounds the metal frame of solar panels may come off under extreme pressure. If there is enough pressure applied over time, they may even start to separate from the glass panes, leaving a void space.
The majority of solar panel manufacturers advise AGAINST pressure washing solar panels, and for some, it may even VOID their warranties.
This is due to the reasons mentioned above as well as concern that high pressure might cause water to enter between the glass panes and onto the PV system, causing a vacuum seal to be broken.
Overspray is yet another potential problem with pressure-washing solar panels. Pressure washing roofs has slowly come to light as a bad cleaning technique. Every type of roofing material that is subjected to pressure washing has shortcomings.
If the water is not angled properly, it could shoot water underneath your roof and the pressure could also blast off exterior coatings on composite, tile, and clay roofing, causing them to lose years of service.
If there are other cleaning options available, they should be used instead of over spraying solar panels when pressure washing them.
Tips For Solar Panel Cleaning
To assist you with your cleaning, read the following advice:
- Solar panels with a damp wipe: Using a clean, damp cloth to wipe down your panels is the simple way to clean them.
- Cleaning agents for silicone or stick solar panels: A sponge and a brush are attached to one side of this type of cleaner, respectively. You can also use water to clean panels using this technique.
- Solar panel cleaner aerosol: For those of you who prefer to use a spray, you can use a variety of cleaners. They are simple to store in your car or garage, spray on the panels, and then remove with paper towels.
- Avoid stepping on your solar panels: In order to avoid damaging your panels, avoid stepping on them or walking over them with bare feet.
Other Ways Not To Clean Solar Panels
Hard Bristle Brushes
One of the best methods for cleaning a solar panel is very straightforward: just use a brush and some soapy water! But you must be careful to use the right kind of brush—one with soft bristles—as these guard against scratching the panels’ surface.
The opposite could occur if hard bristle brushes are used; they might damage the surface, reducing the efficiency or even preventing the panels from absorbing energy. Even if you intend to move slowly, avoid using a hard bristle brush because it will probably result in long-lasting harm.
To remove streaks, use a soft sponge or cloth; if necessary, a squeegee can also be used.
Strong Cleaning Fluids
Since some of the dirt and grime on solar panels can be quite difficult to remove, it is simple to assume that stronger cleaning solutions work better. However, using cleaning products that contain potent ingredients risks damaging the glass panels and greatly decreasing their effectiveness.
When washing dishes, try to use liquid soap rather than anything with a lot of alcohol in it.
Maintenance And Upkeep Of Solar Panels
Therefore, in general, let the rain clean your solar panels. Check the efficiency of your system by keeping track of your monthly energy usage and bills. If your electric bill starts to fluctuate, it might be time to consider cleaning or performing some other form of maintenance.
If you suspect that variations in your energy bill may be caused by the need for cleaning your solar panels, check to see if the efficiency returns to normal following a good rain.
If so, that’s probably the end of it. If the functionality continues to be problematic, an electrical problem may need to be fixed rather than simply cleaned.
Read: How Much Energy Do Solar Panels Produce Per Day？