Benefits of cleaning solar panels

Thursday 30 June 2022

Do you already have solar panels or are you planning to buy some? Then it is a good idea to inform yourself about maintenance. Good cleaning is essential if you want your solar panels to work optimally. But what is the best way to go about it?

Why solar panel cleaning is so important

Solar panels are constantly exposed to airborne dust particles, bird droppings and other types of dirt. This is very harmful, because it creates shade and prevents sunlight from reaching the cells. This reduces their effectiveness. By cleaning your solar panels, you therefore ensure a higher yield and you will feel the difference in your wallet. In addition, it extends the life of your installation.

When should you clean your solar panels?
Cleaning solar panels is very important, but how often should it be done? It is generally recommended that you clean your solar panels at least once a year. In rural and coastal areas, it is even better to do this once every six months. The best time to clean solar panels is in spring, because then they can do their work thoroughly when the sun starts to shine.

 

How do you clean solar panels?

Cleaning solar panels is done in three main steps: preparation, cleaning and brushing.

Step 1: Prepare everything

First of all, you need to switch off the solar panel system for safety reasons. Then remove any coarse dirt, such as branches and leaves. This makes cleaning easier.

Step 2: Clean the solar modules
Have you finished preparing? Then it is time to clean the solar panels. This is best done with osmosis water, as it does not leave any streaks. If your panels are too dirty, it is a good idea to buy a special solar panel cleaner. You also need a telescopic brush with an internal water feed, as this allows you to reach the solar panels more easily and safely.

Step 3: Brushing the solar panels
As a final step, you can brush the solar panels to remove any remaining stubborn dirt. This is not compulsory, but highly recommended. Be sure to do this with a brush that does not leave scratches.

Solar panel maintenance tips
Our experts will give you a few more solar panel cleaning tips to help you avoid damage and ensure optimal maintenance of your solar panels!

Tip 1: Never clean solar panels with a high-pressure cleaner
Although it is tempting to use a high-pressure cleaner to clean solar panels, this is strongly advised against. It can cause damage. For the same reason you should not use a brush or scouring pad that is too hard.

Tip 2: Safety first
Cleaning solar panels yourself is not without risk. It can happen that you suddenly lose your balance with all its consequences. But if you provide fall protection or an extendable cleaning set, you don't have to worry.

Tip 3: Clean the panels when the sun is not shining
Cleaning solar panels is best done when the sun is not shining, as this way the water does not dry immediately, leaving no stains.

Tip 4: Do not always use water
It is not always necessary to clean your solar panels with water. Sometimes you can just use a soft brush. Don't have a soft brush? Then you can also use a squeegee with a dry cloth.

Clean solar panels yourself or have them done?
It is perfectly possible to clean your solar panels yourself. In that case, you do not pay any labour costs. But it is not recommended, because you risk damage if you have no knowledge of the process. In addition, you have to invest in special cleaning products, which also costs you a lot of money.

But the biggest drawback is that it is not safe to clean your solar panels yourself. So unless you really know a lot about it, it is best to leave this to a professional!

Interesting alternative: self-cleaning solar panels
If you have not yet bought your solar panels, you can also opt for self-cleaning solar panels. These clean themselves in two steps: soaping and rinsing. The disadvantage is that the solar panels are more expensive to buy.

Choose a professional from Zoofy for your solar panel cleaning
Cleaning solar panels? It's best to leave that to an experienced professional. And you don't have to look far, because you can easily find the best professional in your neighbourhood at Zoofy. All professionals are thoroughly screened by us so you can always be sure of quality work!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)