Solar panels are a good investment. Although costly to install they will reduce your energy bill and can even help you to go off-grid. It can be very satisfying to know you are producing your own electricity and that it is environmentally friendly.
This is likely to be a big part of the reason that solar panels are becoming increasingly popular and common. But, once they are securely fastened to your roof, do you need to clean them?
The Short answer is yes.
Dry Climates
Rain is surprisingly effective at cleaning your solar panels although there are times when they receive too much rain. However, in dry climates, you’ll find that this allows dust to settle on your solar panels. Although the coating is light the bottom line is that this coating does reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your panels. This reduces the energy they can produce and effectively makes them less efficient.
The good news is you can hose your solar panels down to remove the dust. It is safer to hose them than to rub them with a cloth. Rubbing is likely to cause minute scratches in the panel which will reduce the efficiency and lifespan of the panel. While it is possible to get solar panel repairs completed, it is better to avoid the need for them.
Top Tip: When washing your solar panels use a standard hose and not a pressure washer. The power behind a pressure washer could cause damage to your panels.
Humid Climates
Humid climates are moist and this doesn’t help your solar panels. The heaviness of the air will attract dust and even insects. These then stick to your solar panels and create a layer that again reduces their efficiency.
Rain
Rain is water and therefore relatively good at cleaning solar panels. However, the rain isn’t pure, it contains dust from the atmosphere and this can stick to your panels. Alongside this, there are pollutants and allergens in the atmosphere that can cause issues for your solar panels.
Cleaning The Panels
If you have solar panels it is a good idea to clean them once a year. If they are left for longer than this you are likely to start seeing a drop in electricity production.
When you clean them you should proceed with caution, it is never a good idea to crawl on the panels. Instead, use a long-handled mop with a soft cloth, ideally microfiber. You can lightly hose the panels first and then wipe them over with a soft cloth and a little soap and water.
To finish you simply rinse them over with your hose again. You don’t need to worry about drying them, solar panels can be left to dry naturally and will still be effective.
If you haven’t cleaned the panels in a while you will notice your energy productivity levels rise straight afterward.
Looking after your solar panels means they will last longer and that makes them a better investment.
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