Solar panels are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bill. But like any other part of your house or office, they will need to be cleaned from time to time. While you may find the idea of cleaning solar panels daunting, it’s actually not that hard once you know how to do it.
Solar panel cleaning is a simple process that will keep them operating at maximum efficiency. In this article, we’ll discuss how to clean solar panels on roof. We’ll go through some basic steps for cleaning solar panels, from rinsing them with water and drying them off completely before replacing them on their mounts again.
Reasons to Keep Solar Panels Clean
While solar panel maintenance is typically pretty simple, it’s important to keep them clean so that they can reach their full energy potential. Solar panel cleaning is important because:
- When you frequently clean your solar panels, you remove dust, snow, bird droppings, or loose dirt. This will increase your panel efficiency. This can reduce the amount of money you spend on electricity and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Cleaning your panels regularly will keep them dust-free and prevent any buildup on their surface. This reduces the amount of energy needed by your system and keeps it running efficiently (and helps extend its lifespan).
- You will also see an improvement in the lifespan of your solar panels because they won’t be subject to wear and tear from dirt or debris. This means that they will last longer and the pay off will be faster than if they were dirty!
Must-Have Essentials When Cleaning Solar Panels
To clean solar panels on a roof, you’ll need to use a soft brush, such as an old toothbrush or a non-abrasive sponge. Remember to also have a garden hose with a clean water source.
You can also get some commercial cleaning products designed specifically for this purpose. Be careful when using pressure washers, though. They can damage the surface of glass panels and other materials used in solar panel construction.
If you don’t have access to your roof and don’t feel comfortable attempting this kind of project yourself (or if you just don’t want to), then consider hiring solar panel cleaners.
How to Clean Solar Panels on Roof: The Cleaning Process
Before you begin the process of cleaning your solar panels, think about it as a complete unit with other vital parts. Besides the solar panels, the rest of the system is important too: the mounting, the wiring and conduit, and so on. The system includes:
- Solar panels: They are mounted on the roof and connected to an inverter.
- Inverters: These convert DC power from your solar array (solar panels) into AC power that can be used in your home or business.
Be Aware of Water Spots and Mineral Deposits
Water spots, stubborn grime, and mineral deposits can accumulate on glass and cause damage. They can also cause scratching to the surface, which may cause even more damage to your solar panels. This is especially true for panels that are made with tempered glass, which has a higher chance of breaking if it’s scratched.
If you have water spots or mineral deposits on your solar panels, be sure not to touch them with bare hands or anything else that may scratch them! If this happens anyway (like when washing your car), try using rubbing alcohol. It is an effective way of removing these substances from the panel’s surface without causing any further damage.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when cleaning solar panels with water. First, the solar panel is made of glass, so it’s very fragile and can easily be damaged if not cleaned properly. It’s important to use a soft cloth and plain water to clean the panels. Do not use abrasive cleaners or brushes because that could lead to scratches.
If you have any questions about the best way to clean your solar panels, you can contact professional cleaners at Electric Frugal for guidance.
Steps For Cleaning Your Solar Panels
Lay Out the Different Solar Parts
Cleaning dirty panels is made easier by laying out the different parts of your solar power system in a logical order. This will help you keep track of what part you are cleaning and also reduce the chance that you will skip over a section.
The panels, inverter, and charge controller should be cleaned first, followed by any batteries. The panels are by far the most important part of your solar power system because they produce electricity from sunlight. They should be cleaned thoroughly to remove dirt, dust, and grime that could inhibit their output or cause other damage to them over time.
After cleaning all four parts (panels, inverter, charge controller, and battery), move on to any additional batteries if applicable. These can often get dirty with time so it’s important not only for safety but also for performance reasons.
Cells Will Have Different Height Levels
Remember, the solar cells on the panels will have different height levels. This means that water droplets will sit in pools on the panel. If you notice that water droplets are sitting on the panels, it is important to clean them off as soon as possible.
This can cause damage to the panel, and it is important to clean the solar panels regularly.
Cleaning and Rinsing
Also, remember that cleaning your solar panels should include both rinsing and drying. Cleaning your panels is a two-step process. First, you’ll want to rinse them, then dry them.
- Rinsing is important because it removes the remaining dirt from the surface of the panel and helps loosen any remaining grime so it can be washed away easily.
- Draining the water off after rinsing will reduce any chance of rust forming on your solar panels.
- The drying step should take place within 24 hours after DIY cleaning so that mildew doesn’t form inside your solar panels.
What if You Can’t Reach Your Solar Panels?
If you are a renter, or your rooftop solar panels are only accessible to solar installer professionals, you can have the panels professionally cleaned. This can be expensive and time-consuming since it requires that the panels be removed from the roof with extra attention and caution.
A pressure washer is not recommended for cleaning solar panels over time. Using a pressure washer with cold water or soapy water will cause damage to the glass surface of the panel and may cause water damage inside if too much force is used. So, you have to abide by the solar panel manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Also, some types of paint on solar panels can become discolored when exposed to extreme heat. This can be from a pressure washer jet or a detergent and water solution used in cleaning methods. The detergent could contain harsh chemicals like bleach or alkali solutions (sodium hydroxide).
Using soft brushes with water alone should be sufficient for removing dirt from a solar panel surface without damaging it. This method will help you avoid causing any damage inside due to high temperatures generated by the rapid movement of air from pressure washing techniques.
Care For Your Solar Investment Guarantees Profit
Taking care of your solar panels is an easy way to make sure you get the most out of your solar system. If you have clean panels, you will get more out of the solar energy output in terms of the percentage of available energy. You will save money on your electricity bill and help the environment. It makes you a good global citizen!
- Clean solar panels are more efficient, safer, and better looking.
- Cleaning your solar panels will help keep them from getting damaged by dirt, dust storms, or debris.
- If a panel isn’t cleaned properly, it can be at risk of overheating and damaging the rest of your home’s electrical system if left unchecked.
- Regular cleaning of your panels also means that they are more efficient in energy production when capturing sunlight. This will save you money on electricity bills each month!
Take Care of Your Solar Investment Today
We hope we helped answer that nagging question: how to clean solar panels on roof? It’s good to think of a home’s solar panels as a residential systems investment. With proper care, they can save you money in the long run on your electricity bill.
We hope that you are now ready to clean your solar panels. And remember, if you find yourself in a situation where they need to be replaced, contact us at Electric Frugal to ensure that we can give you the best possible deal on new panels for your home or business.
