Do Rooftop Solar Panels Need Cleaning

Clean the surface of the solar panel with a soft cloth or sponge.

Do rooftop solar panels need cleaning.

One company selling an automated washing system says panels should be washed every couple of weeks. But first let s look at when and why you might need to invest in solar panel cleaning equipment or hire a professional cleaning service. Consider getting professional solar panel cleaners to do the job. Olson recommends homeowners use a soft bristle brush with an extended handle like the type used to clean off an rv.

The only thing they need is a periodic light cleaning to make sure dirt leaves and other debris aren t obstructing the sun s rays. This is because for most homes in australia rainfall is enough to keep solar panels reasonably clean. Show extra caution if cleaning your solar panels requires you to climb up on the roof. Solar panels generally require very little maintenance in order to function.

Some of our favorite solar panel cleaning supplies include. Long arm 1005 window solar panel cleaning kit. If you notice a decrease in efficiency it could mean your panels are in need of a cleaning. And don t forget to choose an environmentally friendly soap.

You do not have to clean the wiring underneath. Fortunately cleaning solar panels is easy for ground mounted systems or for rooftop solar systems on a typical one story house. When someone gets a new rooftop solar installation the second question they always ask is how often do i need to clean my solar panels we ll answer that question on today s show taking into account the different effects of rain dust and electric rates btw the first question people always ask is how do i read my electric bill but that s a topic for another show. There are some instances where solar panels might need cleaning but most of the evidence says solar panels are self sufficient and low maintenance.

Yes you have to clean your rooftop solar panels and you have to clean them regularly. When it comes to cleaning solar panels it s better to err on the side of safety and efficiency. Companies specializing in cleaning solar panels generally say. In other parts of the world where rainfall levels are lower build up of dust and dirt can present more of an issue and panels may need to be cleaned more often to prevent a significant drop in output.

Not keeping your panels clean will cost you money in the long run and can put the lifespan of your panels at risk. In the uk the vast majority of domestic solar panel arrays don t need regular heavy duty cleaning thanks to the high levels of rainfall. Some say panels need an annual scrub others say quarterly. I hear you saying isn t that what rain is for that s kind of the same logic for solar panels too.

Grime will build up but eventually there will be sufficient rain to wash most of it off. Dirt on solar panels usually has very little effect on their performance. How often do you clean your roof. Generally in the uk unless your solar panels have bird droppings on them you shouldn t need to clean your solar panels.

We ll get to the best way to clean your solar panels in a minute.