Solar Panel Cleaning in Palo Alto: Does It Boost Durability and Performance?

Solar Panel Cleaning is an important process to improve the efficiency of the panels. Solar panels convert sunlight into usable electricity. Photovoltaic cells (PV cells) present in the panels convert solar energy into electrical energy. These cells are arranged in a grid on the surface of the panels. The panels are usually made from crystalline silicon cells.

The source of solar energy is free and renewable. It is one of the most popular renewable resources used in buildings and homes for a variety of purposes such as lighting, cooking, heating, laundry, and several electrical appliances. In addition, solar energy contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Therefore, it is environmentally friendly.

Solar panels require minimal maintenance. Simply put, cleaning with water will work in most cases. However, dust and dirt make solar panels inefficient. The solar panel cleaning process involves removing dirt from the surface of the panels to properly absorb sunlight. In addition, other particles such as leaves and bird droppings can also protect solar panels from direct sunlight.

The correct way of solar panel cleaning it with water and a sponge. Some also suggest using soapy water. But it can leave marks and cause dirt to stick to it. Often rain washes away dust and dirt. But bird droppings and residues may remain on the surface. Therefore, it is best to use water and soft sponges for solar panel cleaning, so as not to scratch the surface.

In this article, we will learn more about solar panel cleaning and its benefits.

When To Do Solar Panel Cleaning?

Solar panels are installed outdoors. Therefore, solar panels get dirty depending on time and space. But cleaning of solar panels depends on several factors such as your region, weather conditions, exposure time, and solar design.

 Thus, in spring and summer, they can not be cleaned at all. But in winter, especially when sunlight is less available during the day, you may need to brush frequently. Since there is less rain in winter, it may make sense to clean the panels at least once a month.

You should check solar panels from time to time. If there is too much dust, it’s time to get out. The best time to clean them is early morning or evening (late afternoon). On a cloudy day, you can also do this. During the day, the sun falls directly on the panels. Thus, water can quickly evaporate and dirt can remain on the surface.

Early morning is a good time, as dew forms on the surface during the night. In addition, you will need less water and effort for cleaning. Plus, the panels work more efficiently during the day, and you don’t want to disturb them during the most productive times of the day. You may also find it frustrating to clean in hot weather when the sun is directly down in the afternoon.

Benefits Of Solar Panel Cleaning:

Most experts say that solar panels should not be cleaned with a cleaning service. The payback of such investments does not justify them.

The average change in the efficiency of solar panels with pollution is 5%. But in most climates, the next rain will wash away the dirt and allow the panels to return to full power. This way, if your panels have dirt on them, you don’t need to clean them right away, unless it will significantly affect efficiency.

In addition, the solar panels are installed in an inclined form. Thus, most of the time, the bottom of the panels will collect dirt or dripping water. But this will not reduce the performance of the panels. Even if it does, it will be very little. So this is not something you should worry about.

Solar panel cleaning can be a lot of effort. It’s not easy to go up to the roof and clean them yourself. Perhaps it is not worth it, because such an amount of effort will only give a small result. However, solar panels should only be cleaned if their performance has been affected by dirt accumulated on the surface.

 Especially during the winter seasons, the panels can get dirty when there is no rain for months. At this time, it is worth cleaning them and restoring the performance of the panels. In addition, cleaning solar panels can improve system performance and therefore reduce your energy bills.

Cost to Clean Your Solar Panels

Depending on your region and the size of your solar panels, cleaning costs may vary. Typically, hiring solar panel cleaning companies can cost anywhere from $100 to $600 per visit. 

So it’s your decision; Do you want to spend hundreds of dollars cleaning your solar panels? On the other hand, if you can do it yourself at almost no cost, why not consider spending the time and effort on it?

Final Words

Solar panels can significantly cut your electricity bills. However, poor maintenance can affect the performance of your solar panels. You will need to keep it clean so that the panels get enough sunlight without any obstruction.

 You may want to consider cleaning your solar panels with soap and water once a year. However, whenever you encounter poor performance, you can test the solar panels to find out the cause. Sometimes a simple cleanup can fix performance issues.

A solar system for heating, lighting, cooking, laundry, and other purposes has become popular among most households. Solar energy is one of the most commonly used renewable energy sources today.

 Check frequently to see if the system is working properly. Check for panels that have a lot of dirt on the surface. If there is only a little bit of dirt, you don’t have to worry. But if these panels are very dirty, then cleaning is necessary to improve the energy efficiency of the system.

Solar panel cleaning is easy as all you need is water, a mild detergent or soap, and a soft sponge.

Another way of solar panel cleaning is to use the services of professional cleaning companies. They will charge a certain fee for their services. However, most experts say it’s not a good idea to hire cleaners for your solar panels. In addition, you do not need frequent cleaning. Once a season will be. So think before you decide to hire someone to clean your solar panels.