If you have solar panels somewhere at your home or business, you are already aware of their helpful benefits. They convert sunlight—perhaps the most renewable source of energy—into electricity that you can use to power your property. However, this awesome privilege comes with some amount of responsibility, too. For example, you may be asking yourself, “Do solar panels need to be cleaned?” The short answer is yes, but that will leave you wondering how you should clean them, as well as what benefits you’ll enjoy as a result.
Learn the answers to all these questions with Bucher Pro Wash. We are proud to be the exterior cleaning experts in Bothell, WA, and if you ever need help revitalizing your solar panels, let us know. We’ll be happy to do this work for you!
Why Solar Panel Cleaning Is Necessary
Do solar panels need to be cleaned? What makes solar panel cleaning so important? Over time, your solar panels will collect debris, and this really can’t be avoided. Some examples of the debris you’ll find on your solar panels include dirt, pollen, dead insects, bird droppings, algae, and moss. The longer these substances are allowed to accumulate, the less visually appealing your solar panels will be. It also goes without saying that dirty, unattractive solar panels make for dirty, unattractive properties.
Dirty solar panels don’t look their best, but what you might not have expected is that they are also less efficient. This is because incoming sunlight is blocked by a layer of grime. So, the longer your solar panels are left dirty, the less electricity you’ll produce. This means an increased dependence on public utilities—and more money spent on the resulting bills.
How Often Should Solar Panels Be Cleaned?
An important part of having solar panels is figuring out how frequently they need to be cleaned. Do solar panels need to be cleaned every day? No, keeping up with them isn’t that much of a pain. In fact, our general recommendation is annual cleaning. By cleaning your solar panels once per year, you’ll ensure that they stay in good condition and generate plenty of electricity for your property across all four seasons.
However, depending on your property, you may benefit from cleaning your solar panels multiple times per year. For example, is your home or business surrounded by trees and other plants? If so, you will likely deal with elevated amounts of pollen during the spring. Furthermore, if your property’s exterior is constantly illuminated, you’re more likely to have dead insects all over your solar panels. Keep an eye on their overall condition and take action whenever necessary.
What Is Solar Panel Cleaning?
Do solar panels need to be cleaned? At this point, it’s clear that the answer is yes. The question is, what exactly does this process entail anyway? The most important part of solar panel cleaning is revitalizing upward-facing surfaces. These are the components of your solar panels that do all the hard work of gathering sunlight. Because of this, you’ll definitely want to make sure they are in spotless condition. This can be accomplished with a garden hose, microfiber cloths, and a gentle cleaning solution such as dish soap and warm water.
While cleaning solar panels, it’s also important to clean underneath them. That’s because debris can become lodged under these devices over time. You may even find abandoned bird nests underneath solar panels! Unfortunately, all these various pieces of litter interfere with your solar panels and even present an increased fire risk. We recommend wearing a pair of gloves, removing all items beneath your solar panels, and disposing of them properly.
Safety Comes First When Cleaning Solar Panels
When cleaning your solar panels, your safety is always the highest priority. Because of this, we have assembled a series of guidelines for your consideration. Check them out and ensure your solar panel cleaning project is as safe as possible!
- Deactivate solar panels before cleaning. By turning off solar panels before cleaning them, you’ll reduce the risk of them becoming damaged and protect yourself from electrical shock. Why not clean your solar panels on a cloudy day when they wouldn’t gather much sunlight anyway?
- Wear gloves when handling bird nests. If you find abandoned bird nests under your solar panels, be sure to wear gloves because the nests could carry pathogens. Keep in mind that the legality of removing occupied bird nests depends on where you live.
- Take extra care when cleaning roof solar panels. When cleaning roof solar panels, you’ll need to make sure you are using a sturdy ladder that is placed on a level surface. Remember the rule of three points of contact, and make sure you are well-rested so you can focus on your work.
DIY or Professional Solar Panel Cleaning?
Do solar panels need to be cleaned by professionals? Should you do your own solar panel cleaning, or is it better to schedule this service from a professional business? That ultimately depends on you and your preferences. Want to save money, even if it means doing hard work? If so, DIY solar panel cleaning is the right choice for you. It takes the right tools and techniques to restore solar panels correctly, but if you can conquer these challenges, you’ll have a rewarding DIY experience and savings in your wallet to spare.
However, if you don’t have much time or energy to dedicate to solar panel cleaning, and if you’d rather spend money than try to do this work on your own, professional solar panel cleaning is the right path for you. Reach out to Bucher Pro Wash because our team of experts would be happy to lend you a hand.
Schedule an Appointment
Do solar panels need to be cleaned? Now that you know the answer is yes, it’s time to take action. Reach out to Bucher Pro Wash by contacting us online with information about your project. We will get back to you ASAP with a free cost estimate, and then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. What’s not to like?
