Solar energy is set to create new records for global distribution in every year past 2022. This means that people around the world are taking advantage of the awesome power of the sun.
If you’re one of those people, you likely already have solar panels that you work hard to care for. Are you worried that your dirty solar panels aren’t working as they should? If you notice that they are covered in bird droppings or anything else, it’s likely time to get them cleaned off.
The truth is, however, that there is a correct way to do this. You don’t want to accidentally damage your solar panels by trying to tend to them the wrong way!
Keep reading to get the ins and outs of how to clean solar panels safely and effectively.
Always Consult the Manufacturer
Almost always, your solar panel manufacturer will be able to provide you with specific recommendations for cleaning your solar panels. They can inform you about any type of solar panel maintenance that you will need to do as well.
You may have received information about this when you purchased the solar panels. If you don’t have it on hand, you can simply search for their contact information online to find out what you need to know before you get started.
Choose a Cool Time of Day
Solar panels get very hot in the sun. As a result, you may not want to try and clean them when it’s the middle of the day.
The best time to clean your solar panels is either in the morning or late afternoon because this is generally when the temperatures are a little bit lower. The sun also won’t be as intense, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally burning yourself on the panel.
Use a Soft Cloth
In some cases, a regular garden hose will provide enough pressure to clean your solar panels. If that’s the case, you simply will want to spray them down on a regular basis to make sure that they don’t accumulate too much dust and dirt.
However, if you do need to do a little more than this, always make sure that you’re using a soft cloth or a sponge for the job. You never want to use anything that might scratch the surface of your solar panels.
In addition to this, it’s a good idea to only focus on the surface of your solar panels. When caring for solar panels, you don’t need to do anything with the wiring underneath.
Never Use Chemicals
All you need to clean your solar panels is regular water and soap. You don’t need to use special chemicals or equipment for the job.
It’s best to start with regular water first. You can fill a bucket with clean water and then add a little bit of soap afterward to apply with your soft cloth.
After this, always rinse the solar panel off with extra clean water to make sure that they are totally free of any soap, debris, dirt, and grime.
Be Careful at All Times
If your solar panels are on your roof, it may be best to contact a professional solar panel cleaning company for the task. It can be extremely dangerous to go on the roof, especially if you don’t have safety equipment or your roof is steep.
Remember that it is possible to electrocute yourself with your solar panels as well. As a result, hiring the pros is generally the best way to go, especially if you’re not sure how to keep yourself safe or reduce your risk.
Knowing How to Clean Solar Panels Correctly
When you figure out how to clean solar panels the right way, you are not only keeping your panels in good shape, but you’re protecting your investment. Solar panels need to be cared for if you want them to function correctly, and cleaning them when they need cleaning is one of the many maintenance tasks that a responsible user will perform.
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