How Often Should I Clean My Solar Panels?
Solar panels are one of the best and cleanest energy sources to power homes and businesses in the United States. An estimated 8 percent of US homeowners have solar panels on their roofs, and their investment helps them reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower their energy bills. An overlooked aspect of your investment is the solar panel care you must provide.
Asking how often should I clean my solar panels is an excellent way to get started, but there are several tips you should use to provide the best solar panel maintenance. Cleaning your panels too often will cause damage and interference with energy collection.
Fortunately, you’ve discovered the perfect guide to purchasing and cleaning solar panels for your residential energy system. Continue reading to get years of value and green living from your solar panel installation today!
Why Clean Your Solar Panels?
Before diving into how often you should provide solar panel maintenance, it’s crucial to understand the method behind the madness. Solar panels are excellent at collecting dust, debris, and leaves when you install them on your home’s roof. It takes little time for your panels to collect debris and reduce the effectiveness of your energy system.
The dirt and grime that covers the outside of your solar panel limit the rays from the sun that enter and get converted to electricity. All types of solar panels work best when nothing obstructs the sunlight from entering the solar cells.
Your solar panels will become less efficient if you neglect to clean them. Develop a maintenance routine to ensure your panels and solar system function as designed.
How Often Should I Clean My Solar Panels?
Now that you understand the importance of keeping each solar panel spotless, you must know how often to clean your panels to ensure productivity. The bare minimum for cleaning solar panels is once every six months. You can learn the best tips to clean your panels from this source.
It’s best to get in the habit of cleaning your solar panels every two to three months for the best results. Dry climates cause dust and dirt to accumulate on your solar panels, but regular cleaning will keep them clear and ready to collect energy.
Upgrade your solar panel maintenance if your home is located near a woodland area. Many homes with solar panels in wooded spaces collect bird droppings on the solar panels. The acid in the droppings could harm your solar panels and prevent the cells from converting energy for your household.
Tips for Solar Panel Care
Cleaning rooftop solar panels is dangerous, but necessary to use sustainable energy for your household. Learning to clean solar panels is challenging if you’re new to using solar technology. Safety should always come first, and you should use the proper equipment for the job.
Here’s a closer look at the tips you should use the next time you provide solar panel care for your residential system.
Safety First
Safety should be your number one priority when providing solar panel maintenance. Roofs are dangerous, especially if you time your cleaning session incorrectly and get stuck in inclement weather. Electricity and height are the two most hazardous factors in cleaning rooftop solar panels.
Turn the system’s electricity off before climbing onto the roof to clean and maintain your solar panel installation. You’ll eliminate the risk of getting electrocuted or injured when handling solar panel maintenance. You can work with peace of mind that you won’t face harm from any live wires in your system.
If possible, stay on the ground when cleaning your solar panels. Use a hose and a long-handled brush to wipe debris from the pane’s glass. It’s a much safer alternative to climbing your roof and risking a long fall.
Use the Proper Conditions
Another tip to use when cleaning how to clean your solar panels is timing the cleaning session correctly. Solar panels get scorching hot in the mid-afternoon. Ensure you wash your panels in the morning or early evening to decrease the heat and remove any stains and debris from each panel.
Washing the panels during peak daylight hours will result in unwanted streaks. Avoid watermarks by cleaning your panels during cooler periods of the day. Early morning is best because you can use the dew nature leaves behind to wipe down your panels and keep them spotless.
Be Gentle
Solar panels are tough and durable enough to stand up to Mother Nature, but you should remain gentle with your panels to prevent unnecessary damage when cleaning them. Solar panels are expensive, so playing things safely is best to avoid extra expenses.
Never use metal cleaning tools to wipe down and clean your solar panels. These tools will scratch the glass on your panels and cause irreversible damage. Stick to soft brushes and pressure hoses to remove any debris you find.
Read the Manual
Each solar panel company provides a manual for their panels when you pay for an installation. Ensure you read the manual and learn about proper solar panel maintenance before starting the cleaning process.
Some manufacturers have different requirements and recommendations for your solar panel maintenance techniques. Go the extra mile and read the manual to ensure your solar panels last decades.
Work With a Pro
Your solar panel maintenance routine isn’t worth suffering a severe injury. Consider hiring professionals to clean your solar panels so you can stay safe on the ground. They’ll have the proper tools and resources to help you keep your panels spotless and the energy flowing.
Start Cleaning Your Solar Panels Today
Waiting long times between solar panel maintenance is asking for your system to get bogged down and inefficient. It’s best to clean your solar panels at least twice annually, though three to four times is more effective. Use the proper tools and time your cleaning session for early morning to prevent excessive temperatures and streaking on the glass.
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