How Often Should You Get Your Solar Panels Cleaned?

Solar panel systems are one of the best ways to improve the overall functionality of your home while reducing your carbon footprint. There are many reasons to invest in them, including the simple fact that they are easy to maintain and typically require very little upkeep and maintenance to ensure they are working efficiently. For instance, you most likely will not have to clean your panels but there are a few factors to consider, including where you live and the area’s typical amount of dust and debris.

If you determine that you need to clean your solar panels, keep a close eye on them. If you notice any buildup of material on them, that is a good indication that you need to have them cleaned. It all depends on how much debris is on the panels. If you’re not sure whether or not you need to clean your solar panels, you might find this article helpful: Do You Have to Clean Your Solar Panels

When to Clean Your Solar Panels

Solar panels should be cleaned when they are dirty. That can differ from one area to the next, based on the conditions in the area. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of air pollution, you will need to clean them more often than someone that lives in an area without it. The first thing to remember is that it is best to clean your solar panels when there is a need to:

• You notice debris on them.
• The rain isn’t washing them clean.
• Pollen is significantly built up on them.
• They are covered with a layer of dust.
• It seems like a film is on the solar panels.
• You notice a significant decrease in the amount of efficiency the system is creating.

If they need to be cleaned, do not put off having the work done. The sooner you get them cleaned in this situation, the less likely you are to have problems with a drop in efficiency standards.

For those who are considering solar panel cleaning as a maintenance task, schedule a professional to come out. The most buildup may occur at the end of the winter season and then again at the end of the summer season.

How to Keep Solar Panels Clean

It may be possible to clean solar panels yourself, or you can turn to a professional company to provide you with the help you need through this process. Here are some things to keep in mind if you plan to do the work yourself. If you’re planning to clean your solar panels yourself, be sure to check out this guide for helpful tips: How to Clean Your Solar Panels

What to clean solar panels with

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for what to use. Any type of abrasive product can scratch or damage the solar panel, creating risks to its overall efficiency. Most of the time, you just need to use a soft bristled brush to wipe away any type of debris or other buildup on the surface.

Use water

If you want to clean the solar panels a bit more, use a garden hose to rinse them. This is often all you need to do to create a pretty clean solar panel. If you do not get a lot of rain, this is a good way to keep the panels clean.

Hire a professional

When it comes to how often to clean solar panels professionally, it may be best to hire a professional at least one time a year to do the work for you. This helps ensure that any type of debris that is on the solar panels is removed safely. The company can use the proper methods and tools to clean the solar panels, reducing the risk of any damage but also getting the panels as clean as possible. That benefits you in the long term. If you want to explore different methods for cleaning your solar panels at home, this article might be of interest to you. It covers the top 5 best methods: Top 5 Best Methods To Clean Your Solar Panels At Home

Why Do Solar Panels Need to be Cleaned?

Why clean your solar panels? Cleaning them may help them to work more efficiently. Consider what could be on your solar panels:

• Dust from the local landscape work that is being done
• Bird droppings that do not wash away with just water
• Leaves that become wedged in various areas
• Pollen from the trees and plants in the area
• Dirt and debris from construction work
• Smog from areas where air pollution is significant

Solar panels may need to be cleaned to remove all of this type of debris from the surface. The more material that is on the surface, the less the photovoltaic panels will be able to pick up and absorb the sun’s rays, which ultimately makes it more difficult for the solar panels to work. This creates inefficiencies, and over time, it may also lead to less value for you out of your solar panel system.

Also important is that when there is a lot of buildup on the panels, that could limit the lifespan of the product. They may not be able to last as long for you, meaning you may have to pay for them to be repaired or have to replace the panels over time sooner than you should. To avoid this, be sure you are cleaning the solar panels well enough to enable them to work efficiently. 

Put Your Trust in a Solar Panel Company with Experience

If you are unsure about any step in the process of owning a solar panel system, do not wait to reach out to a team that is dedicated to help answer any questions you may have. We also work with you to determine the right-sized solar system for your home and usher you through the entire installation process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.