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Originally Posted On: https://sandiegowindowwashing.com/2024/08/23/the-importance-of-cleaning-your-solar-panels/
The Importance of Cleaning Your Solar Panels
Solar panels lessen your reliance on the grid, lower energy expenses, and reduce your environmental footprint. You were likely careful to select a system that matches your energy demands and is known for optimal performance and longevity. However, even the most efficient solar panels can lose their effectiveness without adequate maintenance.
Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on your panels over time, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches your photovoltaic cells and diminishing your system’s output. In this blog, Nick’s Window Cleaning Services’s solar panel cleaners explain the importance of removing buildup from your solar panels, how washing them impacts their performance, and the best practices for ensuring they operate at their peak efficiency year-round.
Why Should You Clean Your Solar Panels?
Over time, dirt, dust, pollen, bird droppings, and other environmental contaminants can obscure your solar panels. This buildup reduces their efficiency by blocking sunlight from reaching the cells that generate electricity. As a result, your home may rely more heavily on the grid for power, leading to higher energy bills. Maintaining your panels with a regular washing schedule removes obstructions and restores access to full sun exposure.
Does Solar Cleaning Improve Panel Performance?
Yes, photovoltaic or solar cells work when the semiconductor material within each cell in your rooftop solar setup absorbs photons (light particles). The absorbed energy excites the electrons in each semiconductor, causing them to break free from their atoms. Freed electrons are directed through each cell’s internal electric field, creating an electrical current.
Electrodes on the front and back of each cell collect electrical current, which can be used to power devices or stored in batteries. When grime builds up, it interferes with the process, slowing down energy conversion and reducing your access to your environmentally friendly power source. You can consider cleaning essential to keeping your cells operating as they should.
How Often Should Solar Panels Be Cleaned?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for how often solar panels should be cleaned. You’ll need to find a safe vantage point to inspect them frequently to spot signs that tell you when cleaning will help your solar system produce more energy. At a minimum, you should wash your photovoltaic cells at least twice a year.
How Will You Know When Your Solar Cells Need Cleaning?
You don’t want to spend time and resources cleaning your solar cells too often, and you don’t want to neglect washing them, either.
To find the right balance, consider:
Your Location
Areas prone to high dust, pollution, or salt (near coastal regions) may necessitate more frequent cleaning.
Time of Year
Seasonal changes can impact your panels, with spring bringing pollen and fall introducing leaves and other organic debris.
Type And Amount of Debris
The nature of the debris, including dust, dirt, or organic material, and the rate at which it accumulates will help you determine the required frequency of cleaning.
Bird Activity
High levels of bird activity can lead to significant droppings on your panels, reducing their efficiency and requiring more frequent cleaning.
Dust Storms
In regions where dust storms are common, your panels may become coated with a layer of fine dust, significantly impacting their ability to absorb sunlight.
Pollution Levels
Urban areas or industrial regions with higher pollution levels may experience faster accumulation of grime, necessitating more regular maintenance.
Does Rain Wash Solar Panels?
Have you ever tried to let the rain work its magic to remove dust and pollen from your vehicle? If you have, you already know that these substances turn into slime when exposed to rainwater, and it’s not as easy as you’d think for the rain to wash it all away.
In the same respect, rain isn’t a reliable solar panel cleaner. It’s simply not the best solution for removing all the buildup your panels are exposed to because it leaves so much residue behind. Rain won’t be enough to keep your panels clear, so what will be? We’ll explore some panel-washing best practices in the next section.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Solar Panels?
You don’t want to apply too much pressure to your solar panels or scratch their surface using the wrong tools. If you aren’t a soft-pressure washing specialist, you may do more harm than good. That’s why hiring a solar panel cleaning company is always your best option.
Trained technicians know precisely which equipment, pressure settings, techniques, and cleaning solutions to use, ensuring a thorough yet gentle cleansing.
Here’s an overview of the process:
Your service will begin with a thorough panel inspection. A technician will assess your panel’s condition and identify areas requiring special attention. Then, they’ll use soft-pressure washing equipment, which delivers a gentle stream of water to remove loose dirt and debris without applying excessive force that could cause damage.
For more stubborn grime, they may use biodegradable, non-abrasive cleaning solutions to break down dirt. These solutions are effective and safe for the environment and your panels’ surface. Next, your technician will carefully brush your panels using soft, specialized brushes to avoid scratching the delicate glass.
Finally, they’ll rinse your panels with purified water to prevent mineral deposits or streaks from forming, leaving the panels spotless. Throughout the process, your solar cleaning contractor will be vigilant for any signs of wear or damage, providing valuable insights into the overall health of your solar system.
Cleaning Solar Panels on Your Roof Maintains Lasting Performance and Longevity
You want to be a part of the solution by lowering your environmental impact and powering your home with as much sunlight energy as possible. Now that you know how much of a problem buildup accumulation on your solar cells can be, it’s time to take action and stay on top of regular inspections and cleaning. It’s a cost-effective way to maintain your solar power infrastructure’s performance over time.
Choose Nick’s Window Cleaning Services for cleaning solar panels on your roof, and rest assured your sunlight energy conversion system is in the hands of pressure-washing specialists with plenty of local experience. Reach us at (619) 501-6198 for the answers to all your questions about maintaining your solar cells’ cleanliness and optimal function.
