Maximizing Solar Efficiency: Essential Cleaning Techniques for Panels

Want to waste money on your solar investment?

Cover your panels in dirt.

The goal of every solar panel owner is to squeeze as much energy as possible out of their system. Clean panels equal greater energy production and lower electricity bills.

But unfortunately, that’s not the way most people approach maintenance.

Here’s the truth:

Dirty panels can lose up to 50% of their output. Studies, in fact, have shown the rate of solar panel soiling has reached a record high in the last couple of years. That’s almost half of your investment gone to waste.

If you don’t clean your solar panels regularly, you’re just not going to get the returns you paid for.

I’ve put together the ultimate solar panel cleaning guide with 7 of the most important techniques. It’s time to get dirty (or rather, clean)! 

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• Solar Panel Soiling and Why Cleaning Matters
• When and How to Clean Your Panels
• Do It Yourself Versus Hiring a Professional
• Key Takeaways

Solar Panel Soiling and Why Cleaning Matters

Cleaning your solar panels is one of the most effective ways to improve the performance of your system. If you haven’t given them a good scrub in a while here are three reasons you should.

Maximum Energy Output

The first reason to clean your solar panels is pretty simple.

Cleaning them is one of the quickest ways to boost energy output. Dirt and grime on your panels block sunlight from reaching the solar cells. So when you remove that layer of dirt, your energy production immediately goes up.

And as we all know…

More sunlight = More electricity = Lower bills.

The solar panel cleaning market is projected to grow from $1.43 billion in 2024 to $2.97 billion by 2032. Solar panel cleaning services are seeing a surge in demand, which can only mean one thing. People are finally figuring out how much money they lose from dirty solar panels.

Solar panel cleaning service companies know it better than anyone. Cleaning is a transformative maintenance service. It shows in their statistics.

Their most basic service, which is cleaning the panels, will show increased power generation on the inverter on the following day.

Protected Investment

Another reason to clean is for the obvious — the health of your investment.

Solar panels aren’t cheap. You spend thousands of dollars to have them installed. Letting dirt and grime build up is essentially waiting for that investment to slowly disappear.

Here’s something to consider:

Not only will dust accumulation block sunlight, it can also damage solar cells. This reduces the overall lifespan of your system. Cleaning is an important way to prevent this damage.

Avoid Costly Losses of Efficiency

Did you know one of the least considered maintenance points of solar power systems is soiling?

Dirt accumulation reduces panel efficiency by 10-30% depending on your location. For households in high-dust areas, the loss can be even more significant.

Let’s do the math:

Say your solar system produces 10,000 kWh in a year. A 20% reduction in output means you lose 2,000 kWh every year. At the national average electricity rates, that’s $300 or more you’re losing.

Solar Panel Soiling and Why It Matters

Here’s something few solar panel owners consider…

Not all dirt is created equal when it comes to solar panel soiling. The different buildups that accumulate over time have varying impacts on your solar system.

Types of Solar Panel Soiling

Your panels can accumulate three main types of dirt:

• Dust and pollen: This is the most common type and affects all areas.
• Bird droppings: These are acidic and create dark spots on your panels. Droppings block sunlight, which is why you want to clean them ASAP.
• Industrial pollution and contaminants: These are particles in the air that accumulate over time. They adhere to your panels and are hard to remove.
• Salt deposits: If you’re near the ocean, you’ll see a lot of this buildup. Salt particles are also difficult to remove.

Each type of soiling requires a slightly different cleaning approach. For example, bird droppings need to be left to soak for a while. Salt buildup requires more rinsing.

How Dirt Impacts Energy Production

Okay, this next fact is going to blow your mind.

Even a small layer of dust impacts panel efficiency.

Yes, the dirt particles scatter incoming sunlight. This reduces the amount that reaches your solar cells, which reduces output. That’s a given.

But here’s what not everyone considers…

Dirty panels heat up faster, which causes efficiency losses. The higher temperature is caused by the temperature coefficient effect. The result is a double whammy of blocked sunlight and increased temperatures from dirt accumulation.

DIY Cleaning Versus Hiring Professionals

Should you clean your solar panels yourself or get professionals to do it for you?

Well, it depends on a few factors.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing whether to DIY or get professionals:

• Access: Can you easily reach your panels?
• Size of system: How many solar panels do you have?
• Experience with roof work: Are you comfortable working up there?
• Age of system: If your panels are older or haven’t been cleaned in a while, you might want professional service.
• Frequency of cleaning: More regular cleaning means you can probably DIY. Less frequent cleaning, like seasonal cleaning, is more difficult.

DIY cleaning is certainly an option for most people with residential solar systems. A professional solar panel cleaning company will have specialized equipment and expertise that you may not have.

Professional services also have insurance. You want to make sure someone’s got your back if something breaks or gets damaged during the cleaning process.

Professional Cleaning Services Often Pay For Themselves

Most people don’t realize just how much value professional solar panel cleaning service companies provide.

Sure, you’re paying for the convenience and time you save. But you’re also getting an efficiency increase in your system.

Regular cleaning by solar panel cleaning services helps you avoid efficiency losses of 30% or more in areas with high-dust levels. A 20% improvement in performance would more than pay for itself in most areas.

The reality is that solar panel maintenance and cleaning takes time and commitment. You have to dedicate time to whatever cleaning method you settle on. If you’re serious about reaping the full benefits of your solar investment, then you need to clean regularly.

Not everyone has the time.

Enter professional solar panel cleaning services. Solar owners with commercial systems are the largest client base for these services. They have large roofs with many solar panels that can be difficult to reach and clean.

But even most residential solar owners who clean themselves aren’t necessarily doing a very good job. You need to be committed and consistent with your cleaning if you want to see maximum results.

Conclusion

Solar panel maintenance and cleaning isn’t just some optional thing that solar owners should do if they have the time. It’s a critical step in protecting your investment. Regular cleaning alone can help avoid efficiency losses of 30% or more in high-dust areas.

The harsh reality is that maintaining solar panels takes time and commitment. You have to be willing to put in the work with whatever cleaning technique you choose if you want to start seeing results.

The majority of solar owners simply don’t have the time to give their systems the maintenance they deserve. This is why professional solar panel cleaning services are becoming increasingly popular.

Solar panel cleaning services provide solar owners who cannot or don’t want to clean their own panels with a consistent and hassle-free way to protect their investment.