If you’ve had solar panels installed on your home, there is probably one question that has been burning at the back of your head – how often should I clean my solar panels? Regular cleaning is an important part of solar panel maintenance and something you will need within the first year of installation, as clean panels are more efficient and will get you the most bang for your buck.
Let’s take a closer look at how often you should get your solar panels cleaned, who should be doing the cleaning, and why they cleaned in the first place.
Why Do Solar Panels Need Cleaned?
Before we get into how often they need cleaned, let’s look at why solar panels need regular cleaning in the first place. Not everyone realizes that solar panels can get very dirty in a short time, which makes sense when you consider that they are outside 24/7 and at the mercy of the elements.
When dirt and grime build up on the surface of the panel, it reduces the performance of the photovoltaic system, which works best when there are no obstructions between the UV rays and the glass panel.
So, because things like dirt, grime, and bird droppings accumulate on most solar panels, they will start to lose efficiency unless they are regularly cleaned.
How Often Should My Solar Panels Be Cleaned?
Solar panel specialists have long debated how often they need to be cleaned, although most can agree that you should get them cleaned on average once every six months. However, there are instances where you might need it more frequently or can wait longer till they need cleaned.
For example, if you live in a drier climate then a lot dust can build up on the panels, especially after summer, in which case you may benefit from 2-3 cleanings per year. Another example would be if you live near wooded areas and the panels see a lot of bird droppings, which may also call for more regular cleaning.
So, a good rule of thumb is to arrange for a cleaning at least every six months, possibly more if you feel the panels are constantly getting dirty. If there isn’t much of an issue, then one cleaning every six months should be more than enough.
Preferably, have the cleaning at the end of the winter and summer, as these seasons will see a lot of residue build ups!
Should I Clean My Solar Panels?
No! It’s always recommended that you hire a professional solar cleaning business to wash your panels safely. Dealing with lots of soapy water on a high roof without any safety equipment is very dangerous, so never risk it!
You might not clean the panels correctly and could end up damaging them, or even worse, injuring yourself during the cleaning process.
Premier Solar Cleaning, LLC is a veteran owned and operated solar panel cleaning company. We provide Commercial Solar Cleaning, Efficiency Checks, and Repair Consultations; as well as Residential Solar Cleaning. Serving all of Southern California with phenomenal solar cleaning that saves you money, we have rapidly become an authority on solar panel cleaning, maintenance, and efficiency. To protect your investment, we use high-quality products that are specifically designed for safely cleaning solar panels. No corrosive chemicals, only the purest reverse osmosis deionized water. We offer one-time cleaning and monthly maintenance programs are available. Call us today at (951) 465-3117.
