Do Solar Panels Need Regular Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning solar panels it s better to err on the side of safety and efficiency.

Do solar panels need regular cleaning.

Yes you have to clean your rooftop solar panels and you have to clean them regularly. How to clean solar panels. In the uk the vast majority of domestic solar panel arrays don t need regular heavy duty cleaning thanks to the high levels of rainfall. A common question asked by those who have had new solar panels installed is how do i clean my solar panels solar panels especially the modern pv panels don t usually need to be cleaned.

Some say panels need an annual scrub others say quarterly. This is because if your solar panels efficiency does start to decrease you ll need professional maintenance that can potentially cost you thousands of dollars over the years. So conveniently they require little to no maintenance. The best way to clean your solar panels.

Companies specializing in cleaning solar panels generally say. Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power. One company selling an automated washing system says panels should be washed every couple of weeks. Thankfully solar panels are extremely durable.

But since they are angled toward the sun this positioning unfortunately allows more dirt pollen leaves birds droppings and dust to collect on top of them. Remember solar panels need the sun to work. However over time dust bird droppings and other debris can build up which can have a negative effect on solar panel efficiency if you don t. In other parts of the world where rainfall levels are lower build up of dust and dirt can present more of an issue and panels may need to be cleaned more often to prevent a significant drop in output.

Hire a professional or do it yourself. If you do decide your solar panels need to be cleaned there are two main ways of doing it. The more sunlight that hits your panels the more power they ll produce. Cleaning your solar.

A good solar company will give you a warranty of between 15 and 25 years and guarantee that your panels energy production remains at 85 or above for that entire time. When someone gets a new rooftop solar installation the second question they always ask is how often do i need to clean my solar panels we ll answer that question on today s show taking into account the different effects of rain dust and electric rates btw the first question people always ask is how do i read my electric bill but that s a topic for another show. If you notice a decrease in efficiency it could mean your panels are in need of a cleaning. However unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog dust dirt or sand blowing around solar panel cleaning is generally not necessary in most cases occasional rain will be enough to naturally and safely keep your solar panels clean and free of debris that could lower production.

Most panels are made of tempered glass anodized aluminum and aside from tracking arrays have no moving parts.