How To Tell If Solar Panels Need To Be Cleaned

But remember generally cleaning your solar panels isn t something you need to bother with.

How to tell if solar panels need to be cleaned.

While having zero moving parts solar panel cleaning is one aspect of solar panel maintenance that should not be forgotten. These arrays have far more dust and dirt to contend with and will require a more frequent clean. The panels pitch in order for the rain to properly clean your system the panels need to be pitched. Spray hot water on cold panels.

These options can permanently damage your panels roof and electrical elements causing more harm than good. The best way to figure out if your panels need cleaning is to assess the above conditions. What you should know. So as long as your solar panels don t sit completely flat rain will be enough to get your panels clean.

All you really need is a leaf blower or a quick spray with a garden hose and your panels will be clean and in top condition. One of the best ways to determine if your panels need cleaning is to keep an eye on your power. A visual inspection is the first method if you see noticeable dirt pollen bird droppings or other debris on the panels you should give them a clean. Not keeping your panels clean will cost you money in the long run and can put the lifespan of your panels at risk.

If you re using water to clear the snow away make sure it s lukewarm. If you notice a decrease in efficiency it could mean your panels are in need of a cleaning. If it is a light layer of snow it will likely slide off cleaning your panels in the process this isn t applicable for flat panels when cleaning your panels never. They have the appropriate safety equipment for navigating the roof.

Special attention should be given to pv arrays situated in dustier areas if they are near farmland or next to a main road. However unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog dust dirt or sand blowing around solar panel cleaning is generally not necessary. Some monitoring systems will alert you when you need to clean your modules by informing you of any obstructions or loss in efficiency. You can also use a squeegee with a long handle.

Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power. In winter you may need to clean your panels after a heavy snowfall. However the tests confirmed that rain on rooftop panels also tends to do the job. The good news is the study showed a pitch as slight as 5 degrees did the trick.