Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning?
Author
Ashley Finch | Operations Director
Table of Contents
Author
Ashley Finch | Operations Director
Table of Contents
Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning?
In short, yes you should clean and maintain your solar panels regularly to maintain peak performance and efficiency. Debris and dirt can impact the amount of power your solar panels generate and decrease your return on investment over time.
How Often Should You Clean Your Solar Panels?
You may be surprised to learn that it’s not as often as you think. Many companies will try to sign you up to monthly or bi-monthly cleans, however in reality you should be cleaning your solar panels once every 6 months.
This frequency may be higher depending on your location. If your panels are situated near trees, a construction site, or near bird nests they may require cleaning more frequently.
It’s crucial to keep an eye on your solar panels, when you start seeing dirt build up then its probably a good time to seek the opinion of an expert.
Why Should I Clean My Solar Panels?
Solar Panels work by absorbing day light. As surface dirt builds up it prevents the panels from absorbing the maximum amount of daylight and reduces their efficiency.
Whilst this will be minimal on a day-by-day basis, over long periods of time this will cause your panels to output significantly less energy than if they were maintained.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean My Panels?
As we’ve previously mentioned, your solar panel output will be significantly less if you don’t conduct regular cleans. Being a significant financial investment it’s key you produce the maximum amount of power possible.
Furthermore, excessive build up can damage the panels and system causing long term damage.
Can I Clean My Solar Panels Myself?
Whilst technically, yes you could its important to understand that this could cause further damage.
Solar Panels have a protective wax layer on their surfaces that aids production and provides long term protection. Most household cleaning agents will remove this protective layer exposing the panels to more significant damage down the line.
We advise consulting with a professional if you are looking to get your solar panels cleaned.
How Much Does It Cost To Clean Your Solar Panels?
Solar Panel cleaning depends on a variety of factors including system size, your location, the condition of the panels and access.
If your panels haven’t been cleaned in a while and have a build up of lichen, a specialist cleaning solution will need to be used to remove it.
Access is also another key aspect that influences the price. Solar Panels may be accessible by ladder or pole, which will be lower on price. However if a crane, or scaffolding is required to clean them this will likely cost more.
How To Book My Solar Panel Clean
If you’d like to book in a solar panel clean with Energize Cleaning you can contact us today on 01903 953854 or 07849 699785.
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