Keeping solar panels clean is crucial to ensuring they perform effectively in utilizing solar energy. Otherwise, the buildup of dust, dirt, and bird droppings on the surface can block sunlight and decrease their impact.
The question “Can I clean solar panels with a pressure washer?” is commonly pondered by individuals. Although it may appear a quick solution for cleaning solar panels, using a pressure washer can actually do more damage than help. This article will discuss the safety of pressure washing solar panels and the most effective cleaning techniques to maintain their condition.
Why Solar Panels Need Cleaning?
Since solar panels are placed outside, dirt, dust, and bird droppings build up on them over time. The sun can’t reach the solar panels when these things pile up. That’s why dirt makes your solar power system less useful, and you can increase their efficiency by keeping them clean.
So can you pressure wash solar panels to get rid of this grime? Although it may appear easy, using a pressure washer on solar panels can cause harm to them. Intense water pressure may cause the panels to crack or the connections to become loose.
That’s why solar panel manufacturers usually suggest using mild cleaning techniques, like washing panels with soap and water, a gentle cloth, or soft brushes.
Can You Pressure Wash Solar Panels?
As already stated, pressure washing is not recommended for cleaning solar panels. Here are more details on why you should not opt for this solution.
Risks of Pressure Washing
- Damage to the surface: There is tempered glass on the outside of solar cells, which can get broken under pressure. Even small cracks in the panel make it less effective and let water in, causing further damage to the panel’s functioning.
- Moving parts around: The force of power washing can loosen the seals and connectors of the panel, which could make the panels work with interruptions or stop functioning at all.
- Not following the warranty: Most panel manufacturers say that using pressure washers will void the guarantee. If you damage panels because of using pressure washers, you won’t be able to get them fixed or replaced.
Water Pressure Concerns
You may wonder, can I clean solar panels with a pressure washer if the water pressure is reduced?
Even though solar panels are designed to handle rain, which is a large amount of water, the key difference is how the water is applied. Rain falls gently and evenly, while pressure washing, even at low pressure, directs water forcefully in concentrated streams. This force can push water into small cracks or seals that rain wouldn’t penetrate, potentially causing internal damage to the panel’s electrical components.
Manufacturer Guidelines
Most panel manufacturers give clear directions on how to clean solar panels. Usually, all manufacturers allow using soapy water, bristle brushes, and low-pressure pumps to clean solar panels without damaging them.
Following the manufacturer’s guidelines will allow you to keep solar panels in good shape for a longer time.
Safer Alternatives to Pressure Washing
Here are some safe cleaning options to keep your solar panel system running well without damaging it.
Soft Brush and Mild Detergent
A soft brush and mild soap are two of the best ways to clean your solar panels. This method is gentle, but it gets rid of dirt, dust, and bird droppings from the panels’ surface. This method works well because of several reasons.
- The soft brush keeps the glass away from scratches.
- The mild detergent helps break down dirt without harsh chemicals.
Low-Pressure Hose
Instead of using high-pressure water to clean solar cells, you can use a low-pressure hose. With a gentle rinse, you can clean panels without applying much force to the surface, thus keeping the surface safe. The low pressure also prevents water from getting into seals and electrical parts.
Note that you don’t need special equipment, and even a regular yard hose will do the job.
Professional Cleaning Services
If you don’t want to clean the panels yourself or want a deeper cleaning, you might want to hire a company that specializes in solar panel cleaning. Referring to professional services comes with several benefits.
Trained professionals carefully adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the safety of your solar panels. They have all the necessary equipment, such as soft brushes, bristle brushes, and cleaners that don’t scratch panels’ surfaces and, meanwhile, clean them perfectly.
And of course, professionals can clean solar panels far better than you. They can clean the hard-to-reach places, making sure that the solar panels operate with no issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Solar Panels
Here are some mistakes you should avoid when cleaning solar panels and the safe cleaning alternatives you should use.
Using Harsh Chemicals
The common mistake is cleaning solar cells with strong chemicals. Harsh chemicals wear away the panels’ protective covering, making them less able to soak up sunlight. Additionally, since many chemicals are not eco-friendly, they hurt the environment when washed off the panels.
Lastly, chemical residue can leave lines or films on the panels, affecting their performance in the long run.
Cleaning During Hot Weather
If you clean your solar panels when it’s hot outside, it could go wrong, even though it seems like a good idea. This is why you should stay away from it.
- Water evaporates quickly: When it’s hot, soapy water dries too quickly, leaving behind lines and smudges that make the panel less effective at making solar energy.
- Thermal stress: Rapid temperature changes can cause the hot glass surface of the panels to crack.
Instead, clean the screens when it’s cooler outside. It’s a good idea to clean them early in the morning or late in the evening.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Not cleaning your solar panels regularly is a mistake that can affect their long-term performance. Over time, dust and debris accumulate on the panel surface, blocking sunlight from reaching the panels and lowering their efficiency to generate electricity.
That’s why you might see higher electricity costs in case solar panels are not cleaned for a long time. Last but not least, neglecting regular cleaning can result in damage that may require expensive repairs down the line.
Do You Need to Clean Solar Panels Regularly?
Yes, you need to clean your solar panels regularly to support their efficient operation, but how often should you clean them?
Self-Cleaning Panels
Some solar panels are cleaned on their own thanks to the special coatings that help them push away dirt and even water. However, this does not free you from the need to clean them from time to time. These panels still accumulate dirt that blocks the sunlight, but they do it at a slower pace.
It’s recommended to check your self-cleaning solar panels regularly and clean them as needed.
Rain as a Natural Cleaner
Another natural cleaner for solar panels is rain. It naturally washes away dirt on the solar panel’s surface. Yet, light rainfall may not be enough to keep your panels completely clean. For instance, it cannot wash away bird droppings or grime that has been there for weeks or months.
Professional Solar Panel Cleaning Services
How should you refer to professional cleaning services and why they’ll clean the panels far better than you can (even with all the right equipment)? Let’s discuss.
Benefits of Hiring Professionals
Employing expert solar panel cleaning services offers various benefits.
- Expert knowledge: Professionals know the finest cleaning techniques to guarantee that your panels are cleaned and damage-free at the same time.
- Safe cleaning tools: They avoid damaging or scratching the panels by using specialized soft equipment.
- Thorough cleaning: Professionals can access difficult-to-reach locations and eliminate tough dirt that rain or gentle cleaning can’t eliminate.
How Often Should You Use a Professional Service?
The frequency of using professional cleaning services depends on your location and environmental factors impacting solar panels. If your area has a lot of dust, pollen, or pollution, you might need to clean your panels more frequently (usually twice a year).
Meanwhile, if you live in a relatively cleaner area, cleaning panels once a year might be enough. Hiring professionals on a regular basis helps prolong the lifespan of solar panels. The key factors you should consider when determining the frequency of cleaning solar panels are the weather conditions and the amount of debris that’s accumulated on your solar panels’ surface.
To get more information or book a professional cleaning service, feel free to contact us.
Conclusion
Cleaning solar panels is crucial for their effectiveness and ensures maximum utilization of your solar energy. Though it is very quick to clean solar panels with a pressure washer, there is a high risk that damage from this type of cleaning would outweigh the benefits in the long run.
That’s why it’s widely recommended to use safer cleaning alternatives for solar panels, such as soft brushes or soapy water. The safest way, of course, is to delegate solar panel cleaning to a professional service provider, who knows the solar panel structure and functioning inside out and will not damage panels while cleaning.
