What You Should Know About Cleaning Solar Panels?

Solar panel systems are exposed around the clock to weather effects. An impact on the solar PV panels does not come only from rain, wind, snow, and sun. Dirt from air pollution, dust formation, road traffic, bird droppings and falling leaves or needles from nearby growing trees can also affect the solar PV panels severely in the long run.

At the transition points between the solar panel frame and the glass is where dirt usually accumulates over the course of time, even lichen and moss can form there.

All these factors will lead to lower yields of a solar PV system. Cleaning solar panels from time to time helps to avoid hot spots and to ensure better returns from the solar panel system.

1. Do you need solar panel cleaning despite the snow and rain?

Frequently, it is directed attention to the fact that rain or snowfall provides cleaning of solar panels.

It is an uncontested truth that a heavy downpour helps to wipe away superficial dirt such as neglected leaves or dust. When the snow slides down from the solar PV panels, it can draw dust and light soiling with it.

However, this is not applicable for crusted soiling, for example, hard bird droppings and other types of soiling at the edges of a solar panel frame.

2. Agents for cleaning solar panels

How should a solar panel cleaning be carried out? You can easily get this completely wrong, but if you follow a few simple rules, the solar panel cleaning can help to ensure the yield in the long term.

The following points should be respected:

• Do not use high-pressure cleaners for cleaning solar panels; they can damage the solar panel frame, attachment or the solar panel glass.
• Use a soft agent for the solar panel cleaning – very corrosive or aggressive detergent can damage the modules. Some solar panel manufacturers provide instructions in their operating manuals, about which agents are suitable for cleaning solar panels.
• Use soft water (reduced calcium) for cleaning solar panels.
• A soft brush or a sponge supports the clean power as well as running water.

Tip: It can cause problems with the solar panel warranty if you do not respect the guidelines for the cleaning agents!

3. Costs for cleaning solar panels

The price expectations vary, not only regionally, but from one provider to another. If the solar panel cleaning is performed by a professional company, then the costs are ca. $5 to $6 per solar module.

Solar PV panels must not be professionally cleaned every year. However, solar panel systems, which are exposed to severe air pollution due to heavy traffic or agricultural activities, should be cleaned at least once a year.

4. Why do you not carry out the solar panel cleaning yourself?

There is nothing that speaks against cleaning solar panels yourself. You can easily find the appropriate materials to do it on the internet.

Principal instruments for the Do-it-yourself-cleaning:  a soft cleaning brush with a telescopic rod, a smoother natural cleaning agent and running water (e.g. using a garden hose).

However, the accessibility of the solar PV panels may be an argument against self-cleaning. If all solar PV panels can be accessed through a roof window or other possibilities with the aid of a telescopic rod, then self-cleaning is okay. If this is not the case, then it is preferable to keep away from doing it yourself!