How Often Do Solar Panels Need To Be Cleaned?

Solar panels are a great way to cut your dependency on fossil fuels and regulated energy. While they do most of the work harnessing solar rays for your energy needs, solar panels need to be appropriately cleaned to ensure longer life and no energy loss.

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How often should solar panels be cleaned?

How often should your panels be cleaned? Well, it depends, but most experts agree that cleaning solar panels an average of every six months is reasonable. However, there are times when you may need to get your solar panels cleaned earlier or wait longer. If you live in an area of dusty farmlands or the dessert, you’ll need them cleaned more often. Conversely, if you have angled panels and live in Seattle, you may need your solar panels cleaned less often since it rains more. Most cleaning and solar experts agree that the best times to get a solar panel cleaning are at the end of the winter months and the summer months. This is the two times a year that the most buildup and debris will accumulate.

Why do Solar Panels need cleaning?

If dust and leaves build up on the solar panels, you aren’t getting the most out of them. This type of debris, along with bird droppings, etc., can build up on the solar panels and cause energy loss. If you have a string inverter or micro-inverters on your solar panels, bird droppings can build up and stop the inverters from showing current flow. Rain can wash off some of these, but just like a car that sits out in the rain for six months, you know that your solar panels won’t be sparkly clean afterward.

A study on dirty solar panels was done, and it found that they cause up to 5% lowered efficiency and that a thorough solar panel cleaning can boost it to 3.5% more efficient. Without monthly cleaning, research showed that dirty panels can see a 30% energy loss each year.

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Solar Panels Suffer Energy Loss Over Time

Studies have shown that your energy loss in the first year goes from 0 to 20% by the end of the year. In the second year, that loss goes from 20% to 35%. Going beyond two years between cleanings can mean even more energy loss and inefficiency. Getting regular cleanings can keep your panels running like new. Getting professional servicing can mean getting more years out of your solar energy system.

Why Hire a Professional to Clean Solar Panels?

It is safer for you and your system to hire solar panel cleaning experts because you will want to avoid scratching the solar panels’ surface areas. You have to be careful about what chemicals you put on solar panels, and you have to be cautious about the amount of pressure you are using on them. Solar panels on the roof also carry the danger of cleaning them to prevent the homeowner from falling. Expert solar panel cleaners know what cleansers to use, how much pressure, and what to clean the panels with so that there are no particles left behind. Professional solar panel cleaning crews are highly trained,  licensed, and insured with years of training and service.

We here at Squeegee Squad can take care of your solar panel cleaning needs and other household needs such as professional window washing, gutter cleaning, and pressure washing. Give your local Squeegee Squad a call to see how we can help you keep your entire estate clean and running like a dream.

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