Cleaning Your Solar Panels.
Different kinds of dirt, dust, and debris can affect the efficiency of your solar panels by causing them to generate less electricity than they could have if they were clean. Plus, a dirty panel will look less attractive, which isn’t great for anyone who has to look at it every day!
We know you love your solar panels, but sometimes they can get dirty especially in the summer when its dusty and theirs pollen everywhere! Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to keep your solar panels clean—and we’ve got some tips for doing so below:
First, let’s talk about what products to avoid when cleaning solar panels. It’s tempting to use everyday household cleaners on your solar panels, like Windex, but these can cause corrosion and even damage the sensitive electronics inside. The best way to clean your solar panels is with warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. You can also use a mild detergent like dish soap if needed. (but be sure to rinse thoroughly).
If you have bird droppings or other debris on your solar panels, try using soap and water first to remove it before using chemical cleaners like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide—these may be too harsh for the delicate materials inside your panel! Be sure not to spray any chemicals directly onto your panel—you should spray it onto the cloth or sponge instead.
Now that we’ve covered what not to do when cleaning your solar panels, let’s talk about what you should do: every 5-6 months or so (or whenever you notice something that needs attention, like bird poop), wipe down each panel with warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. If you have hard water stains on your panels (which look like white spots), we recommend sprinkling some baking soda onto the affected area and letting it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it off with a soft cloth or towel.
We know you want to keep your energy clean and green, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get a little dirty in the process, so if you see some dust and stuff on there, dont freak out… the panels are very durable and can soak alot of that sun even with some dust on there.
But some general cleaning and upkeep can go a long way!