How To Clean Solar Panels | Maintenance Tips Of Solar Panels

Solar panel system is the easiest and cheapest way to generate energy. Through this, the electricity bills can be reduced up to 100%. Solar panels have become very popular in Pakistan as well. People are now mostly moving towards panels. Although panels offer many benefits, regular maintenance is essential. The most important process among them is washing solar panels. Now how to clean solar panels, this article will guide you. With this cleaning and washing process, they perform better. Cleaning of panels can be done at home or professional help can be taken.

Why Do Solar Panels Need Washing and Cleaning?

Sunlight is converted into electricity through panels. The panels have photovoltaic technology that absorbs light and converts the direct current into alternating current and then it becomes usable. But if there is dust and dirt on the panels, i.e. the panel is not clean, it can affect the performance of the panels and the current is also less.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has done research on the panels. According to his research, if there is dust and dirt on the panels, it can affect their performance up to 7%. But it is very easy to control this seven percent decrease. Washing solar panels is very easy. Basic cleaning can clean the panels and bring them back to optimum performance.

How to clean solar panels at home?

Washing solar panels can be easily done at home. The best way to clean a solar panel is to wash the panel with soapy water and a soft brush. Because a hard brush can scratch the panel and cause cracks. If a good quality brush is not disposable, it should be washed safely with a soft cloth or sponge. Remember to use a soft and clean cloth on the panel. The cloth should not be stiff at all.

If there is excess mail on the sides of the panel, only a small amount should be added and the panel cleaned regularly. Regular cleaning removes dirt and debris and keeps the panels at peak performance. Precautions should be taken while cleaning the panels on the ceiling as there may be damage if wires are involved.

Here are some tips for cleaning solar panels at home:

Choose the Right Time: Avoid cleaning solar panels on hot or sunny days. The water can evaporate too quickly, causing streaks that spoil the panel’s appearance.
Avoid Harsh Tools: Never use stiff brushes or pressure washers. These tools can damage the surface of the panels.
Use Suitable Cleaning Materials: Always wash the panels with clean water first to remove any loose dirt. Then, use a mild soapy solution to help make the panels shine.
Regular Maintenance: Regular cleaning is crucial to maintain the optimal performance of your solar panels.

Following these guidelines will help ensure that your solar panels continue to function efficiently and last longer.

Do I Need to Turn Off Solar Panels to Clean?

It is very important to switch off the panels before cleaning them as the panels start generating electricity when exposed to sunlight. Although the amount of electricity may be low, it can be dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to close them to avoid any danger. In addition, the panels heat up by absorbing light and the water on them can evaporate. Which creates lines on this panel. But if the panel is closed and cleaned, it is easily cleaned.

Tips for Maintenance of Solar Panels

Regular cleaning of the panel is very important so that sunlight can be absorbed as much as possible. If there is dust, dirt, bird droppings etc on the panels then they need to be cleaned every few months to remove them.
The panels should be washed with a soft cloth. Hard brush panel that can scratch the surface. Any marks or cracks on your solar panel should be checked regularly as such problems greatly affect performance and should be addressed. Contact a dealer for repair ۔.
The panel wiring should be checked regularly as if the connection is loose anywhere the system may fail altogether. So one should keep checking the connection.
Monitoring the performance of your drinking water system should be done using a monitor tool, so this type of monitoring can identify problems sooner and solve problems faster.
Extreme weather conditions such as storms and hail can damage the panel. Although the panels are designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions, severe weather conditions can damage the panel’s surface.
If there is a tree near the solar panel that casts a shadow on it in the sunlight, then the branches of such a tree should be cut as these shadows affect the efficiency of the panel. Apart from this, dirt accumulates on the panels due to the dropping of birds sitting on them.
To optimize the performance of the panel, it should be reviewed regularly. Apart from this, preventive maintenance should also be done as a technician can better understand the faults in the panel and offer solutions.

Maintain the Solar Panel between cleaning

Solar panel maintenance includes regular cleaning and energy production should also be checked. A monitoring app is usually included with the solar inverter. This monitoring app is present on the phone through which one can check the daily electricity production and also check their consumption. It is normal to have low power generation during rainy or windy weather, but if the monitoring app shows low power generation even on a sunny day, you should contact the provider or consult an expert.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of solar system is very high, due to which it is necessary to get better efficiency. Generally, the warranty of solar panels is given for 25 years, but for better performance it is also necessary to clean it regularly. Otherwise, due to accumulation of dust and dirt on the surface of the panel, the efficiency of the panel is affected, due to which the required amount of electricity cannot be produced.

Washing solar panels is an easy process. If the solar panel is installed on the ground or is easily accessible on the roof, it is better to do the cleaning yourself. But if there is any problem in self-cleaning, you can get it done by a professional. Always try to clean with a soft cloth or sponge. Apart from this, the water pressure should not be increased, otherwise the surface may be damaged. Hard water brushes and abrasive cleaning tools should never be used on panel surfaces. Also, detergents should be avoided as they can damage the surface of the panel.