The maintenance, washing and repair required for solar panels is minimal due to their structure. However, maintaining dust-free and clean solar panels is very important to get the best performance and potential output. Dust accumulation can reduce the production efficiency of solar panels by up to 6.5% and in some cases up to 40%. This is especially true in the Middle East. Maintaining their washing solar panels is very important to generate maximum power.

Maintenance and washing of solar panels

Maintaining and washing solar panels is important to ensure your long-term benefits. Owning them is a significant financial commitment. Long-term cost savings can be achieved by purchasing high-quality solar panels as they require less maintenance, washing and cleaning. You can ensure that your solar panels continue to work efficiently by choosing a reliable installer and performing routine inspections.

Why do solar panels need to be washed and cleaned?

Sunlight is converted into useful energy by solar panels. To do this, solar radiation must be absorbed by the photovoltaic cells in the panels. If dirt or debris clogs the cells, the efficiency of the panels can decrease.

According to research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, dust, soot and other particles can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by up to 7 percent. Fortunately, the solution isn’t too difficult to implement. You can clean dirt and restore your solar panels to optimal performance and clean them quickly with a simple cleaning solution.

How to wash solar panels?

Solar panels can be cleaned in a variety of ways, from hand washing to fully automated systems. While rainwater can help wash away some of the dirt that accumulates on solar panels over time, it can also cause dirt to accumulate at the bottom of the panels, which is insufficient to remove heavy contaminants. Is.

1. Wash the solar panels with a soap-free brush and sponge

Companies that provide solar maintenance services have discovered that they can wash solar panels without using soap, deionized water, and rolling or vehicle-mounted brushes. Soap leaves a residue that stains panels and attracts dirt. Lubricant company Polywater’s Solar Panel Wash helps water remove dirt without leaving a film.

Dirt is removed using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and diluted vinegar with Sun System technology. Additionally, homeowners can use a garden hose and soft sponge to manually clean their solar panels, without the need for a cleaning solution.

2. Cleaning solar panels by hand

An excellent, traditional method is to clean the PV panels manually! Although there are many situations in which robots, waterless vibration, or specialized coating solutions may be expensive and ineffective, these solutions are innovative and effective. This is especially true for small-scale installations—whether residential or commercial—and unique buildings and installations. A few specific tools are useful to ensure proper cleaning of solar panels.

On one side, the panel is being cleaned of dirt using a number of rotating special brushes. We can also take advantage of any basic cleaning tools, such as those used on car windshields.

3. Use a soft cloth or sponge and a mild soapy solution to wash the solar panels

If your solar panels are very dirty or covered with bird droppings, use a mild detergent. Using a soft cloth or sponge, mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water to clean the panels. Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive materials on the panels, as they may scratch the surface.

4. A long-handled squeegee or soft bristle brush with an extension pole

If your solar panels are in hard-to-reach areas, like on the roof. To remove dirt or grime, gently clean the surface of the panel with a brush or squeegee.

5. Automated procedures for cleaning solar panels

If you don’t want to clean solar panels by hand, consider installing an automated system. Without the need for manual labor, these systems clean the panels using a variety of brushes and sprayers. Although potentially expensive, these systems can be a great option if you have a large solar array and want to make sure your panels are always clean and efficient.

6. Solar panel cleaning kit

For a more thorough cleaning, you can purchase a solar panel cleaning kit, which usually includes a brush or squeegee, a wiper, and a special cleaning solution. If you want to ensure that your solar panels are properly maintained, these kits are a great option, as they are specifically designed for cleaning solar panels.

How often do solar panels need to be cleaned or washed?

Variables that affect how often you should clean your solar panels include:

• your place.
• Amount of dust and dirt in the surrounding area.
• The angle of the panels.

Cleaning solar panels every three to six months should be sufficient. Still, it’s a good idea to monitor the output of your solar panels and clean them more frequently if you notice a noticeable drop in performance. Effect of location on cleaning or washing of solar panels

How and how often solar panels need to be cleaned to remain effective depends on where they are placed. On average, they should be cleaned once or twice a year. However, they may benefit from more frequent cleaning in some areas.

Contaminated areas: PV panels will accumulate a lot of oil and dirt in the air if they are placed in areas with high pollution, such as near factories, highways or airports.

Forests: Many nearby trees increase the likelihood that more leaves will fall on the panels, blocking sunlight from reaching the panels. Trees also attract birds, causing the accumulation of droplets that damage the surface of PV cells by acidification and fog the cells, reducing their efficiency.

Desert: Sand deposits on PV panels are more common in dry and dusty regions such as the US Southwest and the Middle East, where they scratch the surface and block light. Large ash plumes from wildfires can quickly fall on panels in places like Australia or California.

Instructions for washing solar panels:

1. Gather your supplies and equipment.

Make sure you have easy access to everything you’ll need for the project. Assemble the extension ladder and make sure you can reach the roof safely. Be prepared to use a cleaning solution in a gallon sprayer.

2. Apply fog to the ceiling and panels.

With one holding the extension ladder firmly on the ground, estimate the height of the ceiling. Use a garden hose with a spray to wash down the solar panels and surrounding roof to remove any loose dirt or debris.

3. Turn off the solar panels system.

Before starting work, make sure the solar panels are turned off for your safety and to protect the system.

4. Use a cleaning agent.

A gallon sprayer should apply a thin layer of cleaning solution to a small area of ​​a solar panel. Give the solution a few minutes to work on the dirt and grime, but don’t let it dry completely.

5. Finish the fix.

The area of ​​the solar panel where the cleaning solution was applied should be cleaned with a soft brush or sponge. If needed, the squeeze on the extension pole can be reached by wrapping a towel around it. Keep your feet flat on the step and avoid bending over.

6. Take it in short bits

Once the cleaning solution is applied, proceed as directed above, cleaning each solar panel.

7. Cleaning of solar panels

Give the panels another quick rinse with your hose and spray attachment. After drying the panels with a squeegee, turn the power to the solar panels back on.

Solar Panel Maintenance Tips

• Keep solar panels out of the shade because blocking their ability to absorb sunlight makes them less efficient at generating energy.
• Observe the solar panels and verify that the green lights on the inverters are flashing.
• Monitor daily performance to optimize solar panel maintenance. It is important to document the amount of energy continuously generated daily, noting particularly low visibility days.
• There will be some conflicting results.
• With a monitoring system, you can determine your environmental impact and the amount of CO2 you release into the atmosphere. They can also help you determine the benefits of the feed-in tariff program.
• There is a wall-mounted display where you can view information about servicing your solar panels at home.
• You can install automatic cleaners that work like sprinkler systems or hire solar panel cleaning companies if you don’t have time to clean your solar panels.

Guidelines for Cleaning Solar Panels

• Cleaning kits for solar panels are a great tool to have on hand. Comes with kit. Biodegradable Soap, a wiper, a small brush, and an extended handle.
• Fill a bucket halfway with water and soap. The bottle comes with instructions on it. Dip the brush into the bucket and begin gently cleaning the solar panels. You can use a light brush or water to clean the dirt or grime on the panels.
• Solar panel cleaning is now easier than ever.
• Removing any dirt or residue that may have stuck to the solar panels when wet or damp.
• Never use an abrasive sponge or soap to avoid scratching the glass on your solar panel.
• A soft cloth or biodegradable soap is the best way to clean solar panels.
• Solar panels are expensive to repair, so it is important to avoid using harsh cleaning agents when cleaning them.
• If you clean the panels often, you can run a hose along them to remove dirt.

Low points of solar panel maintenance.

• To protect yourself and those around you, use a long-handled wiper to clean the panels while standing on the ground.
• If you must go on the roof, be careful because, once you start cleaning, the roof becomes slippery, and you risk falling. Use a harness or safety ropes to keep yourself stable.
• Since clean solar panels are better able to absorb sunlight, you should always keep an eye on them for dirt build-up.
• Solar panels require maintenance to ensure longevity and efficiency. Cleaning and maintenance alone will not always be enough to keep them performing at their best.
• It may be time to replace your old solar panels with new ones if they are cracked, old, or not performing as well as they used to.