Cleaning is one of the fundamental aspects to correctly use a solar panel installation. As they get dirty, they are less efficient and generate less solar energy. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to clean solar panels correctly to make the most of their capacity and generate the greatest amount of energy possible.
In this article we are going to teach you what are the fundamental aspects to learn how to clean solar panels and what indicators you must take into account to clean them correctly.
Importance of cleaning solar panels
To make it easy to understand the operation of solar panels and the deterioration of efficiency as they get dirty, let's imagine that solar panels are like the windows in your house. If you let dust, dirt, and debris accumulate on them, the amount of sunlight they can capture and convert into energy is significantly reduced.
Similarly, when solar panels are not kept clean, a layer of dust, fallen leaves, bird droppings and other contaminants forms on their surface. This decreases the efficiency of converting solar energy into electricity, since the layer of dirt partially blocks the sun's rays and reduces the amount of light reaching the panels. As a result, less electricity is produced than they could under optimal conditions.
Keeping solar panels clean is essential to maximize their performance and benefits. When solar panel installations are clean and free of obstructions, they can capture as much solar energy as possible, which translates into a more efficient and constant electricity production. This not only means you'll have more renewable energy at your disposal, but you'll also help reduce your electricity costs and carbon footprint.
In addition, keeping solar panels clean prolongs their useful life. Dirt and contaminant buildup can damage the surface of panels over time, which could require costly repairs or even premature panel replacement.
When do you have to clean them?
The first thing we must do is check the degree of dirt they may have. You can physically inspect the solar panel for dust, bird droppings, or other types of dirt so that we can assess the resistance of that dirt.
So, as a reference, depending on the time of year and the place where it is installed, your panels can be exposed to more or less different types of dirt: For example, in spring and summer, when nature and fauna intensify their activity, the probability of finding guano or other dirt associated with the animal kingdom increases. But if you live in an area surrounded by greenery, fall can be a dirtier time for solar panels, as falling leaves accumulate from the trees.
Once we've confirmed that our solar panels need cleaning, it's worth considering the best time of day to do this. For it, We have to take into account three factors: the weather, the time of year and the climate.
As for the time of year, if we take into account that the rain helps to clean the solar panels, the best time for cleaning is when there is less rain, that is, summer.
What materials do we need to clean solar panels?
When choosing cleaning materials for our photovoltaic modules, we must not use materials that can damage the glass of the module, either by scratching the module with a hard brush, burning it with too strong a cleaning product or using a cleaning agent strong to damage the glass component. The water pressure should not be too high. Because if our panels get scratched or damaged in any way, depending on the severity of the damage, it will have a more or less direct impact on their performance.
That said, depending on whether we have a consumables facility, an industrial facility, or a solar farm, the materials we will need will vary, taking into account the size of the surface to be cleaned. These are the necessary materials to learn how to clean solar panels:
- A bucket with water, preferably lukewarm, with a drop of dish soap (washing powder and other chemicals can be too strong and will negatively affect solar panels) as adding too much will foam and leave a residue. For areas where the water contains a lot of scale and can leave deposits on the surface of the solar panels, it is recommended to permeate the water as it will not leave a trace when it evaporates.
- Use a soft sponge or cotton cloth (lint and fiber free) to apply soapy water and blot stains. Remember, we must avoid scratching the surface.
- Use a cotton cloth a thick-bristled polyester brush or squeegee to remove excess water without scratching the glass and dry the panel.
- If there are certain areas of the installation that we cannot easily reach, it may be helpful to use a telescopic pole or handle to which a brush, sponge or cloth can be attached.
- If your unit is exposed to a lot of traffic, it may help to get a bottle of rubbing alcohol, recommended for removing oil stains you might find on solar panels.
- If you have enough hose to reach the ceiling, note that you should not use too much pressure to clean the panelsTherefore it is not recommended to use a pressure washer with high water pressure as this can damage the panels.
- Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer of the photovoltaic module and, if in doubt, ask your supplier or installer for specific considerations to take into account when cleaning.
How to clean solar panels
For cleaning industrial photovoltaic installations or companies with generally larger surfaces, a pressure washer with a brush accessory is recommended, since there are usually more surfaces to clean than residential self-consumption installations. In these cases it is important to take into account what we have said about the water pressure and make adjustments so as not to damage our solar panels.
One thing to take into account beforehand is that when designing a photovoltaic installation make sure to leave a corridor or space to carry out maintenance tasks, cleaning or attend to situations that may arise.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about how to clean solar panels.