When installing solar panels, one of the most important things that we have to take into account is going to be its subsequent maintenance. Although you don’t have to do it as frequently as in other areas of our home, you also have to clean the solar panels, and it’s not just any.
Since photovoltaic modules are designed to withstand inclement weather outdoors, in principle we would not have to worry about damaging the internal circuits when cleaning solar panels, since they are perfectly sealed. We will simply have to follow a few small tips to leave everything clean without putting our installation at risk.
How to clean solar panels
First of all, safety must be taken into account. Proceed to clean your solar panels only if you have access to them without putting yourself at risk. Do not climb, hang or do anything crazy. If you can’t, there are companies specialized in cleaning solar panels.
It must be taken into account that solar panels are a relatively delicate element, so cleaning them must be done with great care and care so as not to produce scratches or imperfections that reduce their efficiency.
In essence, these photovoltaic panels have many similarities with how to clean windows at home. The best thing would be to first pour water abundantly, although without much pressure with a hose or bucket. In this way, we can clean dust, insects and other superficial dirt in the first pass. In turn, it will soak up other dirt that is somewhat more difficult to remove, so it will soften and it will be easier to clean.
Later, dampen a cloth or sponge and gently go over the solar panels in a zigzag motion, making sure you cover the entire surface and stopping in one area if it is dirtier than the rest. You can tie the rag or sponge to a stick like a mop to or over a mop to help you reach certain areas. Every so often, rinse the cloth or sponge in soapy water, so as not to spread the dirt instead of removing it. When the soapy water is dirty, your thing is to change it to remove the remains of dirt.
If you have a squeegee, use it to remove excess dirty water and finally proceed to dry, preferably with a clean cotton cloth, to minimize the possibility of fibers and/or lint remaining on the solar panels.
Other cleaning tips
If you are thinking about when is the best time to clean your solar panels, always try to do it first thing in the morning. This will not only be beneficial for you, especially in times of high temperatures, but you have to start cleaning the panels before they begin to shine, to avoid temperature contrasts that can cause glass breakage.
As for the frequency with which they should be cleaned, it will depend on the area where you live and if they get dirty above average for some reason, but on average we can say that you have to do it at least once a year, at most two .
As for the use of other cleaning products, there are exceptions. If you live near areas with a lot of traffic or near an airport, oily spots may appear on your solar panels. In such cases, they are easily and simply removed using a little isopropyl alcohol and a rag. However, the use of cleaning products considered “strong” is not recommended, as they can damage or even scratch the glass and thus reduce or stop energy absorption.
