Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning Uk

You re here because in a moment of sudden panic you asked out loud to an empty room.

Do solar panels need cleaning uk.

In the uk climate solar panels are largely self cleaning and deterioration in pv system output due to dust or dirt is rarely detectable even after 3 years. 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. Solar panel cleaning kits come in very handy for cleaning solar panels. Wait do solar panels need cleaning yes yes they do.

Solar panels in the uk cleaning tips for solar panel cleaning. Eventually it evaporates and leaves grime behind. There are some times it might make sense to clean your solar panels though. In most cases you won t need to clean your solar panels often if at all.

Flat panels are an exception they need cleaning rain will wash most of the filth off panels but only if they are at an angle. Inside the kit you will find a biodegradable soap a wiper and a small brush or brush with a longer handle. The photovoltaic cells that make up your solar panels will most likely be covered by a glass coating to protect them. Dust and particulate matter can reduce a solar array s production by as much as 25 according to a 2017 study by researchers in the us and india.

In fact the renewable energy hub says solar panel cleaning is an absolute must if you want to get the best possible performance from your panels. Luckily because solar panels have no moving parts that could be affected by rust or break down solar power maintenance may not be needed. And while the cost of solar panels has fallen by 70 since 2010 a solar panel system is still a significant investment costing 4 000 6 000 for a family of three. So the dirtier this coating becomes the less efficient the solar panel will be.

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. This is not an expensive process but it can be dangerous if attempted by yourselves as clearly the panels are live. It is very important to keep solar panels clean to ensure they produce the most electricity they possibly can. Regular cleaning of solar panels should prevent lichen growth from happening in the first place.

You can include a solar panel cleaning as part of your spring cleaning routine. Generally in the uk unless your solar panels have bird droppings on them you shouldn t need to clean your solar panels. However if you are in doubt do ask us to have a look at your generation figures taking in to account weather variations. Lichens will only grow where algae already exists therefore regular cleaning that prevents the.

This tends to result in a 3 to 5 increase in efficiency. After all anything that accumulates dirt on them for example dust or pollen will get washed off the next time it rains. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning at least twice a year.