Solar panels are a large investment but can be a financially beneficial one in the long-term as you can harness the Great British sunshine to generate electricity, saving you money on electricity bills.
Like with any investment of equipment, especially ones that are exposed to the elements, they need to be looked after to ensure they’re performing as intended.
Many home and business owners think it’s just a case of having solar panels installed and forgetting about it, but this is not the case.
In this blog, we’ll answer the question of whether solar panels need to be cleaned.
What happens if I don’t clean my solar panels?
Installing and forgetting your solar panels without having them regularly cleaned can have a negative impact in several ways.
Dirt blocks sunlight
The buildup of dirt, bird droppings, pollen and other naturally occurring debris can create a barrier between the sun and your solar panels. Grime can even reflect the sun away from your solar panels, which can decrease absorption by up to 30%.
Reduced energy efficiency
With hampered energy absorption from dirty solar panels, they won’t be as energy efficient and will generate less electricity for your home or business.
Higher electricity bills
With less stored solar electricity powering your home, you will be relying on the national grid more and therefore will see higher electricity bills.
Lasting physical damage
Whilst solar panels are generally quite hard-wearing, accumulative buildup of dirt and grime over several years can cause lasting physical damage from mould growth, algae, and scratches.
Lower lifespan
The effects of neglecting your solar panels and not having them cleaned can mean they don’t last as long, and you’ll need to replace them. Whilst solar panels are great for increasing the value of your home if you’re looking to sell, solar panels that don’t work won’t add value.
Does rain clean solar panels?
Yes, we know it rains a lot in the UK, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that our sometimes grim British weather can clean your solar panels naturally.
Whilst rain can somewhat help, it won’t get rid of stubborn dirt, grime and moss, or pollutants that can build up on the surface of solar panels from traffic passing by.
When to clean your solar panels
We’d recommend getting your solar panels cleaned at least once a year in Spring as they’ll need to be working at full efficiency for the summer. If you live in a rural area that has a lot of trees and wildlife, you might want to consider having your solar panels cleaned twice a year.
How do we clean solar panels?
Firstly, your solar panel system will need to be turned off because whilst they operate at a very low voltage, we need to take precautions to lower the risk of damage to both our own staff and to your property.
We use our advanced reach and wash systems to clean your solar panels, which ensures we are adhering to safety standards, whilst maximising the efficiency of cleaning.
We’ll also erect ladders and any other safety platforms and equipment we might need in order to reach your solar panels.
Our solar panel cleaning system
We use a pure water system to clean your solar panels as it leaves your solar panels streak-free, ensuring maximum light exposure. Using untreated tap water, especially from an outside tap can leave behind mineral deposits.
Along with our pure water system, we use eco-friendly cleaning solutions that will cut through the dirt and grime without damaging the surface of your solar panels.
In addition, our fully qualified solar panel cleaning team uses specialist solar panel cleaning equipment, including soft brushes with long, flexible handles so that we can reach every part.
Whilst cleaning solar panels is not difficult, with them typically being high up on a roof, safety is incredibly important which is why we’d recommend you speak to our team.
Ready for clean solar panels?
At Monthind, we have years of experience cleaning solar panels. Our team of solar panel cleaning professionals will ensure a sparkly finish, keeping your solar panels working efficiently and lasting longer.
Contact us via our form or give us a call on 01206 215300 for a free solar panel cleaning quote.