Do I Need To Clean My Solar Panels

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.

Do i need to clean my solar panels.

Hire a professional or do it yourself. Before cleaning your solar panels a professional technician should check for. However if you can see build up on the panels or if your bills or monitoring tools suggest a decrease in the efficiency it may be worth considering a system health check or clean. Solar panels that are cleaned once and twice a year produce 3 5 and 5 1 more electricity respectively than those that are left uncleaned.

They have the appropriate safety equipment for navigating the roof. Instead hire a professional who has the correct equipment and knowledge to do so. But remember generally cleaning your solar panels isn t something you need to bother with. If you cannot safely access your panels to clean them do not attempt to get up on your roof.

If you do decide your solar panels need to be cleaned there are two main ways of doing it. How to clean solar panels. You should always check with your solar panel manufacturer to see if your panels can be cleaned without breaking or having an impact on your warranty. If you are going to clean your solar panels yourself use water a gentle soap like dishwashing detergent and a soft brush to get the buildup out of the corners.

Not keeping your panels clean will cost you money in the long run and can put the lifespan of your panels at risk. 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. How to do it. If you notice a decrease in efficiency it could mean your panels are in need of a cleaning.

One of the best ways to determine if your panels need cleaning is to keep an eye on your power. How often should i clean my solar panels. Grime and bird poop doesn t need to cover an entire panel to have an effect. Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power.

Solar panels are generally self cleaning but in particularly dry areas or where panel tilt is minimal dust and other substances such as bird droppings can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. If you can t clean your panels from the ground hire a company. In most places there s more pollution in the winter which is why the spring is a good time to do an annual cleaning. A lot of solar companies will offer this type of service to you for a fee of course.

This is where cleaning solar panels may have to be done.