Solar energy is an important component when it comes to transitioning to sustainable energy. So many business owners and homeowners are turning to solar power to meet their energy needs. Some of the factors that affect efficiency of solar panels depend on location, shading and tilt angle. An overlooked factor of this is regular cleaning.
Solar panels are used to convert solar energy to electricity using photovoltaic cells
But pollen, bird droppings, dust and other pollutants can accumulate on the surface of solar panels with time and this can create a layer that brings down the amount of sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells. The panels are not able to effectively absorb sunlight and convert it to electricity when there is such a barrier. Your energy output and efficiency will drop as a result. You can look into professional solar panel cleaning so that this can be prevented. Most solar panels are installed on the roof especially when it comes to space constraints of the land. And you need to ensure safety when you go up to clean it. You can entrust this to professionals as they will carry out the task safely. With regular cleaning, optimal performance of the panels can be maintained and this will maximise energy production. When you clean the panels, dirt, dust and other debris on the surface will be removed and this will lead more sunlight to penetrate and reach the cells. There can be significant efficiency losses due to dirty solar panels and you can improve your energy generation capacity when you stick to a regular cleaning routine.
When there is dirt and debris on the panels, the solar panel performance can change
This is also due to climate, geographical location and local environmental conditions. In arid areas with low rainfall, there will be more dust accumulation and this can lead to a greater loss of efficiency over time. In some areas, there are high levels of air pollution and this can also cause the same result. Salt deposits are quite common in coastal regions and this can lead to drops in efficiency. You have to choose the right methods for cleaning the panels so that you don’t damage them. You need to clean them at least once every three or six months depending on the environmental factors of your region and the amount of build-up. You need to carry out regular inspections for this.
You can clean solar panels in the cooler times of the day
So that the cleaning solutions you use don’t dry rapidly. When this happens, it can lead to residue or streaks on the surface of the panel. Clean filtered water should be used for cleaning so that mineral deposits are not left on the panels. If you use hard water, it can lead to build-up over time and reduce the efficiency of the panels. When choosing cleaning solutions, opt for something mild and non-abrasive so that it doesn’t damage the panel surface. You can use microfiber cloths, squeegees or soft brushes so that you don’t scratch the panel. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaners or pressure washers.
