How to Cleaning Solar Panels | Quick Guide Tips & Checklist

Your solar panel has not been cleaned for a long period. The dust, dirt, bird droppings, and snow debris Gathered on the surface of the panel. Worried about how to cleaning solar panels, And solar panels are decreasing in efficiency day by day or not working properly. 

First, use a scraper to remove all debris from the surface of the panel, and then use a soft brush to clean the solar panel. Never use a coarse brush; it may damage the panel. Now use a garden hose, soapy water and wash all panels completely.

After finishing the cleaning process, check your panel energy output to see how it is more efficient after cleaning. Must clean panels once or twice a year, it depends on your location.

Cleaning of solar panels actually is pretty subjective, depending on Solar location, local weather condition, climates. In those areas where frequent rainfall cleaning may be less necessary. And high pollution areas require regular cleaning. 

Cleaning is required mostly once or twice a year.

The solar panel is covered with soiling debris, bird droppings, and dirt. Systems that reduce their efficiency, need to clean for increasing efficiency . It also affects the solar lifespan.

It depends on your location . In Pakistan, solar professional cleaner prices are different from each other. You must visit the local market and consult with a local cleaner.

All choose a cool or cloudy day for cleaning of solar panels; it minimizes the cracking of the glass of solar panels during water drives on the panel. Never use heavy-duty detergent for cleaning. Always use soap mixed with water for cleaning.   

Safety considerations

Choose a morning or evening time cleaning panel when the temperature is low, not work during peak sunlight hours. 

1. Wearing Gloves
2. Turned off before cleaning
3. Placed ladder correctly ( Ladder fall may be cause of death)
4. Before climbing the roof, ensure everything is stable
5. Must have a partner for support

If you want to ensure that you clean, you must hire a professional. 

Eco-friendly cleaning solutions

• Keep nature in mind before cleaning the panel
• Use a mix of dish soap
• Vinegar with water
• Don’t use strong chemicals

How Do I Clean My Solar Panels? Best Way to Clean My Solar Panels?

• Safely reach spots on the roofs
• Spraying your panels.
• Use soft cleaning tools and soap water
• Make sure not to scratch or damage the panel.
• Use soft cloths and isopropyl alcohol.

 What Should I Avoid Doing to My Solar Panels?

• Avoid working in high-temperature
• Don’t use hard mineral water
• Buy a water-softening hose attach
• Don’t scrub the surface on the panel ( damage their performance and lifespan)
• Detergents are  not recommended
• Avoid Abrasive powders scratch these surface

Just wash with a hose and a soft brush.

Cleaning Solar Panels Yourself vs. Hiring a Professional

In most cases, cleaning your solar panel is the best way to save money . But it’s not only the risk of your solar system and warranty. It’s your own safety risk, in the world there are many case death reports with the falling of the ladder . make sure of all the necessary safety gear before climbing the roof.

We don’t recommend you clean your panel; hire a professional to clean. 

The main factor in cleaning solar panels is if you’re living in a very clean area with low traffic, then the panel needs cleaning once or twice a year. If you are living in a polluted area where dust and debris cover the panel, then it needs cleaning frequently. Think about the following locations:

High-polluted areas:  

If solar panels are installed in high levels of pollution like near to factories, highways, docks and air ports. Atmospheric grime,oil, dirt and debris buildup surface of panel and reduce efficiency and lifespan. 

Farmland:

In the hotter months farmland becomes dry and the wind flows the flatland . And pickup dry dirt debris and transfer it anywhere in the path and panel surface . 

Wooded Areas:

Solar panels installed near wooded areas need to be cleaned frequently because the accumulation of twigs and other plant material dropped the surface of the panel and damaged it.

Trees also attract the birds, and birds drop leaves and pieces of bark on panels. The system drops its efficiency. 

Deserts:

If solar panels are installed near desert areas, they frequently require cleaning. Sand accumulation blocks the lights and scratches the surface. Dust plumes not only reduce efficiency but also scratch the soda-lime glass.

If you want clean solar panel yourself, here are some tips that will help you  

• First, read the maintenance cleaning instructions which were provided by the manufacturer. And don’t use wrong tools for cleaning , it may irreparably damage the panel and voids the warranty.
• Shutdown the system and unplug the cable from the panels
• Need a hose, a bucket of soapy water like dish soap, a soft scrubber, and a soft brush
• Do not use any pressure water or harsh chemicals.
• Fill your bucket with a small amount of soap and water.
• carefully hose of your panels 
• Soak the soft scrubber on the surface of a panel with a soapy solution and use it to clean off panels.
• Again, hose on the panels and make sure to get rid of soap residue.
• Repeat until panels are cleaned.

Solar panel cleaning tools

They do not require any special tool for cleaning solar plate, just a hose, soft brush and a bucket should be enough for cleaning panels. In the end use soft cloth to remove extra moisture.

Cleaning solar panels on a roof

Before climbing on the roof to clean the panels, make sure of your safety precautions. Must wear a hard hat.  

Tools & Materials required for cleaning solar plate

What NOT to do

Cleaning yourself may damage the panel. Do not use:

• Strong detergent and harsh soap 
• abrasive cloths and sponges, 

Cleaning solar panels will increase efficiency and lifespan. Must clean the panel once or twice in a year . For cleaning the panel use a soft brush, soapy water, soft cloths and a scrubber . must clean the panel regularly for maintaining efficiency .