The Importance of Solar Panel Cleaning: A Guide to Maintaining Your Solar Panels

Installing solar panels is a considerable investment. But when it comes to ROI and environmental friendliness, it claims to be one of the best power solutions. This is the reason that businesses, as well as homeowners, are actively installing solar panels. However, there is one thing most people tend to forget – solar panel cleaning.

Just like cars or any other electrical device, your solar panels also require maintenance to run seamlessly. But many people often ignore solar panel maintenance. This results in decreased performance over time. So, if you have also installed solar panels, make sure you do not skip solar panel cleaning.

Below, we have created a small guide to help you know everything about solar panel maintenance. From its benefits to tips and alternatives, we have covered it all. Let’s get started.

5 Reasons Why Solar Panel Cleaning is Important

1. Improves Efficiency

Several solar panel manufacturers have noted that regular solar panel maintenance tends to significantly improve its output and efficiency. The reason? By cleaning solar panels, you can remove dust or dirt accumulation from the surface. This, in turn, ensures that solar panels absorb more sunlight and give the highest performance.

2. Increases Life Span

Solar panels installed in dust-prone areas are more prone to damage. They often face operation failures and require repair. You can avoid this by simply investing a few minutes in basic solar panel cleaning. Dust it off and increase the lifespan of your solar panel. There are also several solar panel cleaning products available in the market that you can use to do the task easily.

3. Ensures Warranty

You may not be aware of this, but many solar panel manufacturers and installation companies include cleaning as a condition in the warranty. This means if you do not have proof of regular solar panel cleaning, you might not be eligible for any solar panel maintenance covered under warranty. To be on the safer side, make sure you regularly clean the panels.

4. Offers Higher ROI Time

Another important reason for regular solar panel cleaning is that it will improve your system’s return on investment time. We all know that solar panels are not cheap. So, if you have invested a significant amount, you would definitely want ROI (return on investment) as soon as possible. Through solar panel cleaning, you can improve efficiency and performance, which in turn, gives you improved ROI.

5. Makes it Look Better

This might not sound like a big important reason, but having a clean and shining solar panel is always better than aged-looking and dirt-covered panels. It adds to your clean roof and makes a good impression on the visitors too.

How to Do Solar Panel Cleaning When you are a Beginner?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your solar panel at home:

Step #1: Remove the Dust

For beginners, you can start by cleaning the dust using a brush. Make sure you invest in a brush with extra soft bristles, as any hard one can scratch the panels.

Step #2: Time to Water

Once you are sure there’s not too much dust on the panels, gently spray water on them. While doing solar panel cleaning, keep a tab on the water’s temperature. The good idea is that the temperature of the solar panels and water should not have a lot of difference. That being said, if the difference is too much, it might lead to cracks in the panels.

Step #3: Use a Mild Cleaning Solution and Scrub

Once the panels are wet, use a soft brush and a cleaning solution to remove any other dirt. Again, make sure you use a mild solution since too many chemicals might react negatively. It is good to buy solar panel cleaning materials after consulting an electrician or solar expert.

Step #4: Wipe and Dry

Finally, use a clean cloth to wipe the solar panels until there is no water left.

By following these steps every three weeks