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A Comprehensive Guide to Cleaning Solar Panels


 

How frequently do you consider cleaning your solar panels as an important thing to do? Maximum people don’t clean theirs as often as they should, and a dirty solar panel can have a huge impact on the amount of generated energy to power your home or equipment. When you reside in a drier climate without much rain, solar panel cleaning is even more significant as there will be much more accumulation of dust on the panels with nothing to clean them naturally.  

Though rainwater may clear off the dust, it isn’t the most ideal option for cleaning solar panels in California or elsewhere. As rainwater evaporates, it can leave rings of dust and debris to affect the efficiency of the panels producing solar power.  


Reasons to Clean Your Solar Panels 


Solar panels do need cleaning. You must learn how to clean solar panels as well as their maintenance. You can extend not only their life but their efficiency too in the long run. Solar panels degrade at a rate of 0.5% each year, and availing yourself of regular solar panel cleaning services in California and elsewhere will do a lot to decelerate this rate and extend the life of the solar panel. Regular cleaning of solar panels will also keep them generating power at a maximum rate. A combination of dust and particulate air pollution minimizes solar energy production by 17-25%. 

The commonest reasons why solar panels become dirty and lose their efficiency are due to water, dust, leaves, and bird droppings. Bird droppings can impair solar panels chemically, and a few birds love nesting below the panels, restricting airflow and causing their overheating and getting damaged. Ways to Clean Solar Panels 


You absolutely can clean solar panels in the DIY method. However, before you begin your solar panel cleaning project, you must invest in the right equipment to do so. 


Solar Panel Cleaning Equipment You’ll Need 


  • A cleaning brush with soft bristles or a squeegee can be applied to wash grime and bird droppings from the panels.  


  • Any garden hose can be applied to spray down the panels. Refrain from using a pressure washer, as it could damage the panels. 


  • Create a gentle solar panel cleaning solution with mild detergent, vinegar, and water. Never use harsh chemicals during solar panel cleaning. 


  • Blend your cleaning solution by purchasing a solar panel cleaning kit. 


Steps to Solar Panel Cleaning 


  2. Decide a cool time of day for cleaning solar panels. If you clean them during the hottest part of the day, then the water evaporates faster and leaves marks behind, and the mixture of cold water hitting the hot glass of the solar panels can crack them. 


  2. Switch off your system completely before you start solar power cleaning in Chino or elsewhere. Shut the rainwater collectors or gutters if any, or disconnect them from the system to avoid dirty runoff water intruding into them. 


  2. Eliminate all loose debris or leaves from the solar panels with a soft brush or cloth. It’s safest to clean solar panels from the ground. Accordingly, apply a brush with an extension to make it convenient to access. 


  2. Sprinkle the panels down with a garden hose to wash off the dust and remove all debris. Apply a hose with a sprinkler so you can effortlessly direct the spray at the panels. 

  1. Apply a soft brush and a solar panel cleaning solution to cleanse any rigid grime or debris off of the solar panels. 


  2. Sprinkle the panels again with water to wash the loosened debris away, and apply a squeegee to wipe the residual water off of the panels. Just spray water onto the top of the solar panels. Never spray water on the back of them. Clean your solar panels every six months or less to maintain their cleanliness and operate at their best. 


Inference 

When you find that the task of cleaning solar panels seems like too difficult a job, there are professional solar panel cleaning services as well that you can hire to perform the task for you. Hiring a professional will ensure that your solar panel cleaning will be done perfectly.  

 

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