Cleaning with high pressure, chemicals, or abrasives can damage the protective layer of the panel glass over time, which will also void the panel's warranty. In addition, if cleaned with tap water, the panels will be damaged, since the build-up of lime voids the warranty. Some solar panel manufacturers require regular cleaning to keep the warranty valid. They want to see documentation that proves that you have cleaned your solar panels every six months before you can comply with the warranty.
This is because professional solar panel cleaners prevent dust, dirt, and debris from damaging solar panels. It's also because professional solar panel cleaners will check for damage caused by animals, birds, or the environment. Solar panel manufacturers want to take care of their customers, but they don't want to pay for damage caused by negligence if proper maintenance is not done and the panels are kept clean and checked. It is never recommended to climb onto the roof and remove debris from solar panels with a brush.
Any accidental damage caused during cleaning would not be covered by the warranty. Since the panels have an anti-reflective coating, you should also be careful not to wash them with harsh chemicals, as they could damage the anti-reflective coating of the solar panels and cause a decrease in reflective efficiency. Reflective efficiency occurs when more light is captured and converted to energy, reducing the amount of light that bounces off. Solar panel manufacturers and installation companies require homeowners to regularly clean and maintain their solar panels.
The best way to know if your solar panel system may need maintenance is to check the system monitor. When cleaning solar panels, the most important consideration to consider is that scratching or damaging the glass in any way will reduce the panel's energy production. But when it comes to cleaning your solar panels, you're probably better off saving time and money. While they may be good for cleaning other parts of the house, a pressure washer should never be used on solar panels to avoid damaging them and creating cracks.
If snow persists on the panels, you can also invest in tools such as a snow rake for solar panels, which makes it easier for homeowners to safely remove snow cover from solar panels. The use of any type of high-pressure accessory or a pressure washer can cause damage to solar panels, which could significantly (and permanently) reduce production and void the warranty. It is essential that you avoid the use of strong cleaning detergents, as they can scratch and damage the glass and affect the efficiency of the panels. During days over 90 degrees, solar panels may lose a small amount of efficiency, but this is only temporary and won't have any lasting effect on the overall system.
For more information on solar panel maintenance, as well as monitoring portals, visit the Customer Corner. It is important that you do not use a standard broom, shovel, or other non-specialized tool to remove snow from the panels, as they can scratch the panel glass and reduce solar energy production. Regularly cleaning solar panels can increase the aesthetic appeal of your installations, which may convince some customers to choose your business as customers. Therefore, as long as the solar panels are not completely flat, the rain will be enough to clean them.
To get an idea of how much your dirty solar panels are costing you, you can calculate the daily production loss of.
