Maintaining your Home Solar Panels

I have installed a Solar Panel System at my home back in the first quarter of 2017. It’s a 3.2Kw solar system (14 Panels) with “Net Metering”.  See my April 2017 blog Solar Power – This One for the Environment.

Looking at my solar panel monitor, my Solar Energy Generation average is more than 300 kWh per month or more than 40,000 kWh on year 2018 and about 20,000 kWh in 2019 to date – That’s a lot of savings. It should be regularly cleaned to maintain its optimum power generating capacity.

2018 Monthly Power Generation

Yearly Power Generation

Home solar systems are low maintenance – you basically need just to clean the glass panels and you’re done. There are My Solar Panels are already more two years and this June is the first time it was cleaned. Dirt, dust and other particles accumulate on top the solar panels, rain cannot wash it away as it tends to stick on the panels.

I recommend cleaning your solar panels once a year during summer morning is better so that your solar panels are always at optimum performance. Cleaning home solar panels only takes a few hours, water and soft sponge with one to two persons.

See the difference of the dirty and washed solar panels.

See the difference?

Washing with Water

Clean!

Suggestions on cleaning your solar panel (this is what I did):

• Cleaning using non-abrasive soft cloth or sponge will do.
• I suggest not to use high pressure washer as it may damage the panels and the connection cables
• Clean water will do however it is better if we use minimal liquid soap, then rinse with clean water.
• Dry the panels right away with dry fabric/cloth to avoid hard water marks/stains on your panels

Safety of the person cleaning the solar panels is most important since cleaning solar panels means working at great heights since residential solar panels are usually mounted at roof tops. The following are my safety recommendations on cleaning your home solar panels.

• Make sure the person cleaning the solar panels has proper walkways and ladders to reach the solar panels.
• One to two persons are enough to clean the solar panels many people walking on your roof top may cause accident and damage your roofing due to heavy load.
• Provide ample hydration and some rest.
• Provide harness or rope tied to a firm structure for security.
• Do not clean when it is raining. This is simply because solar system is electric generator and combination of too much water and electricity is not good.
• Cleaning during summer afternoon or morning is better.

The solar panels installer will always say that it needs minimal or no maintenance required. Keep in mind that solar panels need also to be maintained. Minimal maintenance by cleaning them once every 1 to 2 years is a must to maintain its optimal power generation. Do you have or do you intend to install solar panel at your home? If you have other recommendations on cleaning solar panels please comment below.

Cheers!

H