The best method to clean the panels is to use a small amount of dish soap and warm water. Use a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching or damaging the glass. It's also appropriate to use a common household window cleaner such as Windex, but avoid other harsh cleaning fluids that may leave scratches. While Dawn dish soap is effective for many cleaning tasks, it is not recommended for cleaning solar panels.
Dish soaps, including Dawn, can leave behind residues that reduce the efficiency of panels and hinder their performance. It's best to use distilled water and steam cleaning methods for optimal results. A transparent glass cover protects the photovoltaic cells of a solar panel. The ideal is to clean the glass surface with non-abrasive cleaning tools, such as a soft-bristled brush or a rubber squeegee.
Avoid using wire brushes, ceiling rakes, or any other tool that could leave scratches. In addition, turning off the panels allows them to cool down, which reduces the possibility of thermal stress or damage during cleaning.
The solar panels
consist of photovoltaic cells completely encapsulated with other materials, which prevent exposure to dust, dirt, bird droppings and weather conditions. High-temperature steam not only provides deep cleaning, but it also helps to eliminate any bacteria or potential microorganisms on the surface of the solar panel system itself.When it comes to cleaning solar panels, it's best to use distilled water and a soft brush on the steam cleaner. I just installed solar panels in my house and I wasn't sure how to clean them because if they leave water stains they could damage the panels. Knowing that UV light destroys everything, especially in California, I wanted to find a way to block UV light and clean my solar panels so that the visible wavelength would be obstructed. If you combine a 25-year warranty and regular cleaning, you can use your solar panels for more than a decade after paying the price of your system.
Even in residential projects, homeowners will benefit from paying more attention to cleaning their few solar panels. While pressure washers are effective for many outdoor cleaning tasks, they can damage delicate solar cells and their protective coatings. Solar panels have become an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking for clean, renewable energy solutions. Professional solar panel cleaners use the term “dirt losses” to describe the loss of efficiency caused by the accumulation of dust and dirt in their photovoltaic system.
Many solar energy companies recommend cleaning panels every six months or at least twice a year, but cleaning needs vary depending on site conditions and local weather. The types of dirt, rainfall levels, the size of the installation, the cleaning methods and the mineral content of the water used to wash the panels can affect the level of increase in efficiency derived from cleaning. For installations where frequent panel cleaning is necessary, cleaning processes and equipment should be evaluated and whether a chemical cleaning solution is necessary should be determined.
