A car that’s well-oiled and serviced performs better and for longer. Just as we want our set of wheels free of mud, we like our windows crystal-clear as well. The way we approach solar panels should be no different. By keeping our solar panels at their best, we can expect that they will perform at their optimum, remain free of any safety hazards, and ensure that they continue to provide energy to our home or business for years to come.
This article tackles the most significant questions surrounding solar panel maintenance. We will discuss the main sources of dirt, the correct ways of cleaning your solar panel, and situations that will require professional maintenance.
Common Solar Blockers – Dust, Leaves, and Water
Panel upkeep is a necessity as dust build-up poorly affects your panel’s performance. How often your solar panels should be cleaned is influenced by many factors.
Does dust affect solar panels? The short answer is yes!
The greatest factors that contribute to dust build-up are your geographical location and the surrounding elements that might pollute your system.
While heavy rain, as some smaller studies suggest, might help to clean and clear debris and pollutants from your panels, most large studies report that dust build-up can lower the efficiency of our system in just a minute – around 5% or less.
One study found that solar panels that are properly maintained perform 3.5% more efficiently. CleanTechnica reported an analysis, gathered by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), that panels lose around 30% if not cleaned properly.
A recent study found that ‘due to the accumulation of dust the efficiency of solar modules and panels in terms of power can be reduced up to 60%’. Additionally, ‘The research inferred that the mean of the daily energy loss along a year caused by dust deposited on PV module surface is around 4.4%’
While dust is a common pollutant, leaves also block sunlight, thus affecting your panels’ efficiency. Mountain View, a solar energy provider, reports that clean panels can double the energy overnight, even after 15 months of operation.
Solar systems installed in dust-prone areas, such as near main roads and farmlands, will require more frequent and thorough maintenance. Failure to clean dust off panels installed in such areas can see a detrimental impact on solar production. Research has noted that the ‘reduction in solar efficiency due to dust on PV panel is approximately 40%’ in dust-prone areas.
Bird droppings: Enemy No. 1
Bird droppings can affect a panel’s performance to a greater to degree than dust build-up. The common string-inverter PV system might result in minimal or no energy being produced if bird droppings cover part or all of just one solar panel. A micro-inverter system might see the affected panel/s producing no or limited power. You can read more about string and micro-inverters here.
Trees situated near your panels will not only drop their leaves and branches but attract birds as well. These cause bird droppings and debris over time, which will not only require cleaning and clearing but pose a safety hazard. Hence, a monthly or annual gutter cleaning, and bird proofing, may be necessary.
Another consideration to keeping your panels performing at their best is the angle. Flat arrays will need more servicing as water can pool up, leaving muddy residue as soon as it evaporates. On the other hand, proper-angled arrays can take advantage of rain without having muddy residue. This is because rain can effortlessly slide across them, keeping them mostly free of dust and pollutants.
Why Professional Solar Cleaning Is The Most Ideal Option
Australia has more than 3 million solar power systems installed across rooftops as of January 2022. The Clean Energy Council reported that the small-scale solar sector added 3.3 GW of new capacity in 2021.
Most homeowners prefer DIY solar panel upkeep. To ensure safe solar and gutter cleaning, remember to follow safety guidelines when using this approach. To learn more about how to clean solar panels efficiently and safely, read this article here.
As much as many homeowners want to keep a tight budget and prefer a DIY approach, solar panel cleaning services provide a professional service whilst following the industry’s safety protocols. Cleaning panels isn’t as straightforward as it seems.
You can get a free quote for cleaning your solar panels via our FREE quoting service. Our network of local solar specialists will ensure that your solar panels are clean and performing at their best. Get up to 3 FREE quotes today by completing this quick quiz. Please select ‘Repairs and Maintenance’ after selecting whether you are a home or business owner.
When is the best time to ask for help from solar cleaning experts?
A bit of dust build-up may not be much of a problem and may be able to be tackled with your garden hose. However, cleaning professionals can handle difficult problems and ensure that you are free from any risk associated with getting on your roof. Coordinating with experts can guarantee you the best cleaning standards.
How to clean solar panels at home?
Most DIYers use the materials they have at home. If you prefer a DIY cleaning, we suggest you opt for clean water, detergent, and a good quality soft brush when applying soapy water. Only use a mild detergent if some parts of the panels need some extra cleaning. Wipe dirty areas with mild detergent and cloth-covered sponge safely and thoroughly. This prevents strong chemicals from marking your panels.
Solar Power Equipment and Maintenance
You can always get the job done by using solar panel equipment tools such as an extentool, rotary solar brushes, and a water hose. You can use these tools while staying on the ground. However, in some cases, going up to the roof is necessary to get the job done. We also recommend using a specific solar panel cleaning solution to get the best results.
Needless to say, safety precaution is a must when undertaking this difficult cleaning task. Always use safety equipment such as a safety harness to prevent you from falling to the ground – a method used by professional cleaning experts. Don’t forget to wear a hard hat when doing this task. Always keep these tips in mind when cleaning solar panels yourself.
Ideas To Keeping Efficient Solar Panels
While DIY ideas and professional services help keep your panels clean and maintained, the solar industry also consistently delivers new ideas for much more seamless upkeep. These ideas include:
- Special coatings for dust repellant and soil reduction.
- Robotic cleaners for dirt removal. They use soft brushes and air blowers.
- Kipp & Zonen’s commercial tool for dirt measurement.
Kipp & Zonen’s DustIQ monitor uses LED and a photodiode to monitor dirt build-up on the array. This tool helps solar farm operators to identify the ideal time to clean their arrays for optimum performance.
Industry experts suggest cleaning your panels at least twice a year. Doing so keeps your investment in its best shape and performing as expected.
Failing to give your panels the maintenance they deserve may also mean losing energy. Remember that losing energy means losing money.
Does cleaning solar panels make a difference? Yes, indeed. Below are energy percentages you may lose per quarter if you fail to give your panels the required maintenance.
- Year 1 Q1: 5% Energy Loss
- Year 1 Q2: 10% Energy Loss
- Year 1 Q3: 15% Energy Loss
- Year 1 Q4: 20% Energy Loss
- Year 2 Q1: 25% Energy Loss
- Year 2 Q2: 30% Energy Loss
- Year 2 Q3: 35% Energy Loss
- Year 2 Q4: 35% Energy Loss
Safety Tips For DIYers Solar Panel Cleaning
Rain can often help clean general dust away, and in this case, professional cleaners may not be necessary. However, living in a high-pollutant area may bring extra dirt and debris that will necessitate a garden hose to clean your panels effectively.
If there is too much stubborn grime on the array that will require you to go up on your roof, always follow safety precautions. Use appropriate safety equipment including wearing a safety harness and hard hat when doing a regular cleaning.
Solar panel cleaning will require a clean sponge and mild detergent to effectively remove grime. If your panels require heavy upkeep, leaving the task to the professionals can never go wrong.
Find a local solar panel cleaner today with our FREE quote service. Get your free quotes by completing this quick quiz. Please select ‘Repairs and Maintenance’ after selecting whether you are a home or business owner.
![Solar Quote](https://www.energymatters.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Get-a-free-solar-quote-e1660261426481.png" "Solar Quote")
