For best results and to make sure you don't scratch the solar panels in any way, simply use water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or cloth to clean up dirt and debris. There are several ways to keep solar panels clean, from manual washing to fully automated technologies. While rainwater can remove some of the dirt that builds up on panels over time, it can also cause dirt to build up on the underside of the panels and it's not enough to remove heavy pollution. The larger the size of the installation, the more electricity generation will be obstructed when the panels are dirty, so large commercial solar installations require more frequent cleaning than residential systems.
The robots also clean their own onboard solar panels and recharge their batteries quickly between operations. If you've decided to clean the panels yourself, what matters is that you follow these cleaning tips to protect your safety and that of the solar system. So what is our conclusion? All solar panels still need frequent cleaning, especially if they are horizontally or almost horizontally on the roof. With a few easy-to-find tools, homeowners can learn how to safely clean solar panels to increase their efficiency, as well as determine when it would be best to hire professional help for solar panel cleaning.
The location of solar panels also influences how they are cleaned and how often they must be cleaned to maintain their efficiency. In addition to simply reducing solar energy generation, the water layer can leave behind mud residues after evaporation, making it necessary to clean it more often. As difficult as it is to reach the center of a single panel with the arm, it is impossible to reach the panels arranged side by side in a matrix. With lower solar production, homeowners rely on energy from an additional energy provider, increasing energy bills and the payback time for solar energy.
While it's okay for some water to come into contact with the back of the panels, you shouldn't intentionally direct the water toward the back of the panels or into the space between the panels and the ceiling. Panels that are installed at an angle are better cleaned of rainwater runoff than flat mounted panels, since water can accumulate in swimming pools and leave residue. Since solar panels are usually placed on roofs or high areas, cleaning them requires paying special attention to safety. Tree and vegetation panels that produce pro-wind pollen should be cleaned more often than those that are pro-wind.
Dust and dirt accumulated on solar panels can cause energy losses due to dirt of up to 7% per year in some parts of the US. Department of State and up to 50% in the Middle East.
