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Did you know that you could experience a 5% energy loss if you failed to clean your solar panels 3 months after installation? In fact, this energy loss increases by 5% every 3 months, as you continue to neglect your panels.
This means in just 24 months after installation, you could be experiencing a 35% energy loss simply by failing to wipe your hardware.
In this article, we’ll discuss why, when, and how to wipe your PV hardware, for maximum performance.
Do my solar panels need to be cleaned?
Do solar panels need cleaning? Short answer is yes. An accumulation of dust, bird droppings, or leaves could cause a significant decline in the output of your farm solar power systems.
When dust, leaves, or droppings pile up on your panels, they significantly reduce the amount of trapped sunlight, which translates to a huge loss in energy output. Removing dirt on your PV cells is without question, crucial!
But how do you clean solar panels? We’ll show you how. First, here are a few common blocks to watch out for.
Common solar blockers
Blockers prevent sunlight from reaching your panels, they include:
Dust
Dust is one of the biggest enemies of your system’s efficiency. A recent study revealed that as the quantity of dust deposition increases, power output and the efficiency of the module decrease.
To put this in perspective, in as little as 2 months of exposure, dust/air pollution can cause an approximate 6.5% decrease in the energy production of your system.
Leaves
Leaves and tree branches are another sunlight blocker that should NOT be allowed to accumulate on your hardware. Light does not penetrate these leaves and branches. So when they accumulate, the loss in energy is significant.
Bird droppings
Areas with trees are really troublesome. Trees not only shed their leaves, but they also have a high affinity for birds which end up leaving drops on your hardware. Sunlight does NOT go through bird droppings. This means that when these tiny pieces of matter solidify and accumulate on your panels, your energy losses will be gigantic.
How often and when to wipe solar panels?
How often should I clean my solar panels? Based on the study which reveals a 5% energy loss every 3 months, it is safe to say that you may remove dirt from hardware every 3 months or so.
Early mornings are ideal, so that water and sanitizing liquids do not quickly evaporate leaving residues behind. Also, you may benefit from the early morning dew which softens the grime, making the process much easier.
How to remove the dirt from your hardware: a step-by-step guide
How do I clean my solar panels? Understand that this is NOT an easy DIY job. Hiring a professional is the best choice. Here are our tips for choosing a solar contractor to get the job done.
Step 1: Gather necessary equipment
Besides climbing and safety equipment, the only other materials needed are water, elbow grease, gentle soap, a cloth, a vacuum cleaner (optional), and a soft broom that won’t leave irreparable scratches on your panels.
Step 2: Remove loose material
You’ll need to go up and Clean solar panels on the roof. Begin by removing any loose material. This may be leaves or tree branches. Do this carefully, keeping in mind that panels are made of glass surfaces. Scratches could cause permanent damage.
Step 3: Remove dust and sticky material
Remove dust from your hardware. You can use a vacuum machine or even a simple dusting brush.
Should I wash my solar panels? Yes. Clean off sticky material like droppings or any kind of grunge, using a damp cloth with some water on it and gentle soap.
Step 4: Clean off corrosion
If there is any corrosion on your hardware, you will need to scrub it off with a chemical solution (elbow grease/acid).
Final words
Most people install solar panels once and think they’re done. No, cleaning your hardware every once in a while is essential, if they must last longer. Hire a professional, or follow our guide to have your panels cleaned up for better efficiency and durability.
Check out our commercial solar systems in Florida.
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