Cleaning and Maintaining Your Solar Panels: A Homeowner’s Guide
April 1, 2025\Burlington, Washington, USA
Congratulations on investing in a solar system to power your home!
You’re likely enjoying lower electricity bills and becoming more aware of sunny days that energize your home. To keep your solar panels working efficiently, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you might think!
Why Clean Your Solar Panels?
Over time, solar panels can get dirty, which reduces their energy output. Regular cleaning helps ensure they work at their best. In wet climates, rainfall can often clean your panels adequately, but in dry climates, it’s recommended to clean them once or twice a year.
Seasonal Maintenance Tips
Spring: Increased cleaning frequency during pollen-heavy months.
Summer: Regular checks for dust and debris.
Fall: Removal of fallen leaves and branches.
Winter: Handling snow coverage carefully.
When to Hire a Professional
Your safety is paramount. Cleaning panels from the ground with extension tools is safest. If your panels are high up or in tricky locations, it’s better to hire a professional. Complex cleaning and larger systems often require experienced maintenance teams.
When to Clean Your Panels
The best time to clean your solar panels is when the sun isn’t too strong—early mornings, evenings, or cloudy days are ideal. This helps avoid damaging the anti-reflective coating on most panels. Damaging this coating can reduce the panel’s effectiveness and possibly void the warranty.
How to Clean Your Panels
Safety First: Always shut off your solar system before cleaning.
Tools to Use: Wear clean gloves to avoid leaving dirt or fingerprints. Use non-abrasive tools like dry cloths, non-woven fabric, or a soft brush to remove debris. Avoid blades, knives, steel wool, high-pressure washers, abrasive brushes, and harsh chemicals.
Cleaning Solution: You can use commercial glass cleaners with isopropanol or ethanol. A homemade solution of gentle soap mixed with one part vinegar and eight parts water works well too.
Cleaning Process: Start by removing dust and leaves with a dry cloth. Gently scrape off dirt, bird droppings, and plant leaves. Spray water (deionized or distilled is best) onto dirty areas, keeping the pressure below 100 PSI. Use soap sparingly to avoid streaks that can affect panel performance.
Common Issues and Solutions
Bird Droppings: Gently scrape off with non-abrasive tools.
Dust Accumulation: Regularly wipe with a dry cloth.
Plant Branches: Carefully remove without scratching the panels.
Handling Snow
If your panels are covered in snow, you can wait for the snow to melt or gently remove it with a brush if you can do without getting on the roof (see When to Hire a Professional). Avoid removing frozen snow or ice. Your panels are built to withstand heavy snow pressure.
Annual Professional Inspection
Once a year, hire a professional to inspect your system for damage and ensure it’s working properly. The cost for annual solar panel maintenance is often covered by your installer warranty. Most manufacturers offer warranties against defects and equipment failure.
Monitoring System Performance
Keep an eye on your system’s performance. Regularly monitor output levels to measure the impact of soiling. Some fluctuations are normal, but dirty panels will consistently produce energy at the lower end of the range. Reviewing your energy bills before and after cleaning can help you see the difference.
Environmental Benefits
Regular maintenance not only ensures efficiency but also contributes to reducing your carbon footprint by maximizing clean energy production. Clean panels mean more clean energy from the sun and less reliance on non-renewable sources.
Warranty Information
Understanding and utilizing warranties is crucial. Ensure you follow proper cleaning methods to maintain your warranty. Most manufacturers provide extensive warranties covering defects and performance.
Conclusion
Solar panels are low maintenance, but occasional cleaning is crucial for peak performance. By following these simple steps, your panels will continue to produce clean energy and savings for years to come.
