Best Ways to Clean Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic solar panels should be cleaned regularly to ensure optimum performance is maintained. Rooftop solar panels in areas with high dustfall will require monthly maintenance. Vehicular solar panels should be cleaned more frequently to remove grime collected while traveling. It is important to learn the most efficient methods for clearing your panels.

• Auto-cleaning mechanisms with water reclamation components are the best option for the most easeful and efficient maintenance of rooftop photovoltaic panels. They are typically computer-operated and designed for larger rows of rooftop solar cells, but there is also a model that allows for a complete manually operated wash of smaller panels.

• Spray water from a garden hose onto your panels if they are only minimally impacted by dirt, twigs, leaves, and environmental pollutants. Even minimal dustfall can cause a reduction of power efficiency by 10 percent. If your area does not provide sufficient rainfall, maintain the clarity of your cells with frequent rinsing, and when necessary, full-cleaning. Take care that the rain falling on your panels does not contain particulate matter like pollen or dust.

• Use mild cleansers when providing your panels a full cleaning with a mop or soft brush. Scrub panels gently with a mop or soft brush and rinse with a hose that sufficiently reaches from your water source to the solar panels. Take extra care when manually cleaning solar panels. The cells are very sensitive and easy to break.

• Remove snow from your solar panels with a roof rake. Snow cover blocks panels from the sunlight required for usable energy conversion. Take care to avoid scratching or chipping your cells during snow removal. If you fear you might damage your cells, scrape the top layers of snow and hose the rest with hot water. Setting your panels at a snow-resistant angle can help you avoid the bulk of winter cleanup.