Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance: Step by Step Guide

Solar panels are a long-term investment that helps you to secure your energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. Solar panels are strongly built with low maintenance requirements because their work efficiency is sufficient for more than 30 years. However, there are some ways that you can follow for solar panel cleaning and maintenance, which you will learn in the following article as well.

S6Energy is a reliable installer with wonderful expertise. You can seek their services with a single click at a friendly cost.

Do solar panel needs cleaning

Yes, every solar panel needs cleaning after a year or within 18 Months. If solar panel installation is done correctly, then the efficiency of their work is more likely to be effective. As you know, the winds are not as clear or dusty as they are. So that they can cause a reduction in efficiency and also reduce sunlight absorption, which can affect the panels’ work, and that is happening when the dust layer covers the surface.

Solar panels possibly clean naturally, for example, if the area of your home faces a lot of rain, then there are no requirements to clean your solar panels as often as required after dust and dirt particles.

And if the panels of your home are placed on the ground, you will need to clean them patiently and regularly.

If the trees are near your panel space, then this will also be hectic for you to trim the branches that cover the panel plates. As you can see the dirt and other particles on your plates, you must remove them regularly. Otherwise, when you install your solar panel then the installer team will also recommend how and when you have to clean the panels.

Solar panel cleaning and maintenance is a very important part of maintaining the effective work.

Solar panel cleaning

How much does it cost to have my solar panel cleaned?

It’s not always compulsory to hire professionals or an expert to clean your solar panels, but if they are installed on a high place like a roof or you are not feeling up to doing it yourself, then you must hire an expert or professional to do this.

It always depends on what size your panel has, and what the requirement is, for instance, they are much dirtier or less dirty.

When to clean solar panels?

Some situations always require you to do Solar panel cleaning and maintenance, but here are some occasions when you have to clean on short notice.

Like after a wind storm or dusty weather, more likely after rain or snowfall, you have to wipe out the surface for clear sunlight absorption, and more in the following.

Dropping performance

When there is too much delay in performance, then try to monitor and maintain, and clean it, because if their performance is dropping, then the panel’s efficiency is absolutely less due to low absorption of sunlight.

Hail storm or wind storm

In case of storms, your panel can be affected badly because the dirt from storms or air and raindrops can hit it hard, and the absorption performance will also be less, and obviously, in that case, the performance of providing energy will also be decreased.

Step-by-step guide to Solar panel cleaning and maintenance

Here is a Step-by-step guide to Solar panel cleaning and maintenance safely.

Right and soft Tools

Make sure that you are using the right tools to clean it. It requires some special tools to clean. Always use a soft brush because this brush is not heavy in weight and is designed to clean panels.

water flow pipe 

Use a comfortable and adjustable water flow pipe because that will help you to wipe out dirt easily.

Clean with Rinser

Try a rinser to throw dirt and water flawlessly. When you start cleaning and scrubbing all the panels, rinse them afterwards.

Switch off the Solar System

Before doing anything, you must have to turn off all the systems for safety measures.

Inspect Panels 

When you are going to clean, panels must inspect all the panels, whether damaged or not, due to hail storms or heavy winds.

Whenever you use water flow, then set it because high pressure can also cause damage to the panel.

Solar panel maintenance

Which thing is best for solar panel cleaning

The panel surface is made of glass, and it is so sensitive. Do not use harsh and thick things on it, so it is compulsory to use soft brushes and air pressure, and water.

Mild soapy water is also very helpful for cleaning. 

You just have to make a soap mixture with water, throw it on the surface, and use a rinser.

Precautions and things to avoid

While performing solar panel cleaning and maintenance, it is a must to follow the precautions because a little carelessness can cause a big loss. It is not only about solar panels but also about human life.

Do not do cleaning in the sunlight.

It is not good to clean panels during sunlight because the procedure starts in sunlight to absorb and produce energy then which can cause streaks and electrical problems.

Use ladder

Whenever you are using a ladder, you must try to use a ladder with stable balance and security. If you have no tools and a ladder to do it carefully, then you must hire an expert or professional to do it.

Do regular maintenance

You do not always need to clean panels, but you have to inspect and check on their maintenance often, either in storms or after rain. Check if it requires maintenance, then do it with some techniques and tools.

Switch off the system.

Before using water or touching the surface of panels, you must remember to switch off the system and batteries.

Is it okay to stand on a solar panel while cleaning

No, it is not recommended. Because they are made up of glass and not designed to support a person’s weight, this can cause heavy damage or breakage.

Use a ladder and support it with the panel edge, and use pressure, either water or air, and a long stick, soft brush, or rinser to clean it. If it’s not working personally, then hire a professional.

Is the power washer good to use on panels?

No, it is difficult to control the high pressure of a power washer because, due to the heavy pressure, the plates and wiring of panels can be damaged.

Periods of solar panel maintenance

Maintenance is always required to be done. Because with maintenance, you can work on them quickly with less damage, but in case of a big problem, you can face a lot of damage. Maintenance can help you check on problems step by step. Here are some periods that are required to maintain, like

12 to 18 months

This time, the tenure of cleaning the solar panel is so good because consistent maintenance has benefits, it leaves less loss ,and efficiency effectiveness is also improved.

After a year or 2 years

You can check your panels after a year or 2 years, and try to check all the wires and water damage or glass damage.

After 5 years or 3 years

When you are maintaining panels day by day or after 5 years, then you must try to inspect them after 5 years with professional guidelines.

You can also seek S6 energy services to check on them in accordance with the warranty policy.

Cleaning and maintenance of the solar panel

Conclusion

It is always good to do regular and safe solar panel cleaning and maintenance to run it efficiently. Sometimes, bird droppings and raindrops can block directional light and stop it from absorbing. So you can clean it with simple steps and soft tools.

You do not always need to clean it after every storm. Because it requires maintenance, check for damage after a year or 6 months, and you can clean it with the professional level of precautions.

Try to keep checking on cracks and damage because there is no compromise on the reliability and performance of your solar panel investment.

FAQs

How often should solar panels be cleaned? 

It is good to clean the panel every 12 months. And it also varies by area, if your area is near the place where dust surely reaches you out then you must try to keep checking after 6 months to clean it.

Which way is safest to clean the Panels?

Try to use soft brushes and a cloth to scrub and a rinser to clean, and a washer while maintaining pressure. These tools are harmless and not harsh for the surface.

Can dust reduce the panel efficiency or not?

Yes, because the dust particles hide the glass and interrupt the sunlight and the panel as well from starting the procedure.

What time is perfect to clean panels?

As in sunlight, it’s not to touch the solar panel. It’s good to do cleaning early before the sun rises because sunlight can cause an electrical problem while cleaning with water.

Is professional cleaning helpful or not?

Yes, it is always helpful. But sometimes it’s unnecessary to hire an expert. S6 Energy is a reliable installer with wonderful expertise. You can seek their services with a single click.