How To Tell If Solar Panels Need To Be Cleaned

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.

How to tell if solar panels need to be cleaned.

Special attention should be given to pv arrays situated in dustier areas if they are near farmland or next to a main road. But remember generally cleaning your solar panels isn t something you need to bother with. 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. So as long as your solar panels don t sit completely flat rain will be enough to get your panels clean.

In winter you may need to clean your panels after a heavy snowfall. Second if your solar panel has turned yellow and that is that the solar panel now has a slightly yellow look that can be seen inside the glass then it means that you have an issue with the ethy vynil acetate eva layer of the module. If you re using water to clear the snow away make sure it s lukewarm. They have the appropriate safety equipment for navigating the roof.

These arrays have far more dust and dirt to contend with and will require a more frequent clean. One of the best ways to determine if your panels need cleaning is to keep an eye on your power. The good news is the study showed a pitch as slight as 5 degrees did the trick. 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.

However unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog dust dirt or sand blowing around solar panel cleaning is generally not necessary. The panels pitch in order for the rain to properly clean your system the panels need to be pitched. You can also use a squeegee with a long handle. If you can t clean your panels from the ground hire a company.

These options can permanently damage your panels roof and electrical elements causing more harm than good. If you notice a decrease in efficiency it could mean your panels are in need of a cleaning. Spray hot water on cold panels. Dust dirt pollen bird droppings and if you live on the west coast forest fire ash can reduce the amount of solar power you are able to create this is calling soiling.

What you should know. The best way to figure out if your panels need cleaning is to assess the above conditions. Some monitoring systems will alert you when you need to clean your modules by informing you of any obstructions or loss in efficiency. Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power.