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The Do’s and Don’ts of Solar Panel Maintenance

The two questions solar companies frequently get from customers are how to properly clean your panels and whether or not they can do it themselves. The main do’s and don’ts for cleaning your panels are listed in the following instructions. While cleaning the solar PV panels on occasion is a good practice, if done incorrectly you run the risk of damaging the panels or possibly voiding your warranty.

It’s important to note that your panels contain an anti-cling film, which means that they will mostly self-clean in an area with frequent rain. But, if your roof is flat or has a pitch of fewer than 5 degrees, cleaning your panels will be necessary from time to time. Moreover, you should promptly wash your panels after any wildfires. Ash from fires can significantly reduce the efficiency of solar energy systems by up to 25% and even endanger the system through overheating.

However, on hot days you shouldn’t clean your panels since the difference in temperature between the panel surface and the water could result in a crack in the panel. Before you carry out any of the actions below, choose the appropriate time to begin cleaning like early evening or late afternoon.

The Do’s

Do wash them with your garden hose

90% of the time, the only thing you should have to do to clean and maintain your panels is to wash them with your garden hose. Once every few months, panels should be hosed down from the ground since dust accumulation can cause them to overheat and work less efficiently.

Do inspect your panels from the ground for debris

Any debris that may fall onto your solar panels, such as leaves, rocks, or other objects, could cause shadows or black spots, which would increase heat and decrease efficiency. So, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for these while washing your panels from ground level. If you can wash them away with the water from the hose.

Do use a small amount of soapy water to clean persistent grit

A small amount of soapy water might be used to remove persistent stains or dust buildup if the hose isn’t doing the job. If possible, using a squeegee with a long enough handle to allow you to perform this task from the ground up is an efficient method. Otherwise, only climb to the roof if it is secure.

The Don’ts

Don’t use a high-pressure washer

Normal hoses should be sufficient for washing your solar panels; high-pressure washers are unnecessary. High-pressure washers risk creating micro-fractures in the panel’s glass, which can affect the performance of your solar panels. As many manufacturers prohibit the use of pressure washers, utilizing it may void your warranty.

Don’t climb onto your roof without the right safety gear

Your main priority should always be your safety. You could get serious injuries if you were to fall off your roof while going to clean or inspect the panels. Therefore, the best advice is against you climbing onto your roof unless you are certain you can do it safely; leave that to experts instead. The expert solar maintenance in Perth offered by experienced professionals can save you the trouble of climbing to the roof.

Don’t use metal objects, abrasive substances, or harsh chemicals

Things like metal objects, abrasive materials, or harsh chemicals have the potential to scratch, cloud, or harm your panels’ glass front. Reducing the clarity of your panels can also diminish their efficiency and can do just as much harm to your solar production as the shading you were attempting to remove. If soapy water isn’t working, it is preferable to arrange a health check so that expert service technicians may safely clean the debris away.

Conclusion

An annual service health check is the most effective way to preserve the health of your panels. You should occasionally wash them with your hose to keep them clean, but for any substantial maintenance, you need to hire professionals.

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